Lela Rozelle Zey

Lela Rozelle Zey, 98, of California, Mo., passed away at California Care Center on Saturday, July 16, 2016. She was born the daughter of Adolph and Martha (Allee) Zey, was born November 27, 1917, on a farm between Brush Creek and Moniteau Creek in Cooper County. In March of 1931, the family moved to East Main Street in California, Mo. Lela began her school years at Martin School with brother Ray as her first grade teacher. She began her teaching career at Red Brush (Moniteau County) and later taught at Gill (Cooper County), Brick and California R-1 Elementary School. Later, she felt privileged of being the first librarian in the new R-1 Elementary Library when it opened on 1976. During 1990-91 she was selected as the California R-1 Teacher of the Year and in 1991 as the Central District Outstanding Educator. In 1996 she was presented a Missouri Pioneers in Education Award. In all, she spent 59 years in the public schools on Cooper and Moniteau counties. At the time of her retirement, this was believed to be the longest tenure by an individual in the public school system of Missouri. Lela earned a Master's Degree in Elementary Education from Central Missouri State University (now the University of Central Missouri). Lela was a member of Kappa Delta Gamma and a 50-year member of the Order of the Eastern Star. She was a member of the California First Baptist Church where she served 70 years as secretary of Sunday school. She also sang in the church choir as well as the Sweet Adelines. Lela traveled to all fifty states including a trip to Alaska on the Alcan Highway. Other places she traveled included Canada, Mexico, Western Europe, South America, Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Fiji, and the Holy Land. She enjoyed taking photographic slides and showing these places to her students. She was a remarkable lady. She is survived by: one nephew, Robert Zey of Eagle Rock, Mo. She was preceded in death by: one sister, Rebecca Zey and one brother, E. Ray Zey. Visitation was held from 1-2 p.m., on Thursday, July 21, 2016, at the Bowlin-Cantriel Funeral Home. Funeral services were held Thursday, July 21, 2016 at 2:00 p.m., at the funeral home. Officiated by the Rev. Greg Morrow assisted by Mr. Jack Bowlin. Burial was at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery North of California. Memorial contributions can be made to California First Baptist Church c/o the funeral home. Arrangements were under the direction of Bowlin-Cantriel Funeral Services, California, Mo.