Betty Jean Polson

Jean Polson

Jean Polson, 87, of Unionville, MO, passed away on Tuesday, October 2, 2012, at the Putnam County Care Center in Unionville, MO, where she had been a resident for the past five years.
Betty Jean Polson was born December 28, 1924, the daughter of Samuel P. and Alta Mae (Casady) Owens, who preceded her in death. She was reared in the Hartford, MO, area and graduated from Unionville High School in 1943. She soon began teaching at rural schools in Putnam County, including at Fife, Shoney, Berry and Livonia. On August 24, 1947 she married Gilbert Polson in Newtown, MO, and he preceded her in death on July 16, 1985.
Jean and Gib made their home in the Omaha, MO, area where Jean lived in the same house for 55 years. She continued to teach school and attended college, graduating from Northeast State Teachers College (now Truman) in 1966 with a BS in elementary education. She taught third grade in the Unionville Elementary school finally retiring in 1987 after over 40 years in education.
Jean loved to travel, having visited all 50 states, Europe and the Holy Land. She kept many journals and photos of her travels. She was an election official for the Liberty Township and enjoyed following her Casady genealogy and Welsh heritage on the Owens side. Jean was an active member at Omaha Baptist Church, serving at various times as church clerk, song leader, WMU director, VBS teacher and Sunday School teacher for many years.
Jean is survived by a daughter, Myrna Welch of Unionville, MO, and a son, Barry Polson and wife Janet of Livonia, MO. Four grandchildren survive: Rodney Welch and wife Beth, Josh Welch and wife Tiffany, Lucas Polson and wife Erin and Joelleyn Polson. Great grandchildren are Brooke Welch, Jordan Welch, Riley Welch, Skyler Welch, and Aubrey Welch as well as step great grandchild Clark Yates. Her great-great grandchild is Karsyn Burns. Jean is also survived by Kellie Vaughn, whom Jean considered another daughter, and her husband Terry from Willard, MO. Kellie’s family includes children Joseph Edmond, Alexander Edmond, Drew Vaughn and Parker Vaughn, and grandchildren Carter and Ryder Vaughn.
In addition to her parents and husband, Jean was preceded in death by a brother, Jerald Owens.
Funeral services for Jean Polson will be on Saturday, October 6, 2012, at 1:00 pm at Omaha Baptist Church east of Unionville. Visitation will be Friday, October 5, 2012, from 5:00 – 7:00 pm at Playle and Jones Family Funeral Home in Unionville, MO.
Memorials are suggested to the Putnam County R-1 Elementary School and may be entrusted with Playle and Jones Family Funeral Home, 709 S. 27th St., Unionville, MO 63565.