Rose Point (New Castle, Pa.) RPC

Mikayla R. Covington was awarded for the top graduate paper at the Ohio Communication Asso-ciation Conference on Oct. 1.

—Mikayla Covington and Ralph Joseph, correspondents

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In Memoriam

Jean Willson McBurney

On Sep. 7, 2021, God took Jean to be with Him in heaven as He had promised He would.

Erla Jean Willson was born in Cecil, Pa., to Dr. and Mrs. James B. Willson. Jean grew up in Bea-ver Falls, Pa., where her father became pastor of the Geneva Reformed Presbyterian Church. Fol-lowing her Geneva College graduation, having earned a BA in French and English, she was mar-ried to Wendell Faris McBurney on June 8, 1956. Jean and Wendell taught in the Beaver Area High School in Beaver, Pa., prior to moving to Bloomington, Ind., in 1963.

Jean and Wendell became parents of three children, Cynthia Jean, Willson Stuart, and Laurie Kay. Upon their births, Jean made a commitment, promising to always be there when her children ar-rived home from school each day. She kept that promise faithfully. Her love for teaching became legendary in the home as she spent many hours overseeing homework, reading and explaining Bi-ble stories, and helping her children to pray and to sing the Psalms. Always a busy mother and wife, she still found time to be very active in her local congregation and denomination. She had a passion for family and church history, often being called upon to help with historic celebrations and similar occasions. Among other roles, Jean served her congregation as librarian while also helping in the classrooms and libraries at her children’s schools.

After moving to Zionsville, Ind., in 1974, Jean continued her “be-at-home-mom” commitment but was also involved in her children’s sports programs and other school events. She was a 4-H pro-ject and club leader and helped by driving the children and their equipment trailer to after-school lawn mowing jobs before they were old enough to drive.

As a gracious, loving, and devoted wife, Jean was deeply committed to Wendell and his profes-sional endeavors. As one who typically did not like change, she was always eager to support him, even when it required moving to new locations; when he assumed new responsibilities in his church, community and university work; during his out-of-town travel; and throughout his gradu-ate studies. Jean was his resident grammar expert, always ready to help him edit whatever he was writing. She was even awarded a “diploma” signed by the president of Indiana University upon Wendell’s graduation, acknowledging her support throughout his years of study.

Jean had a natural compassion for others, always able to recognize when someone needed a little extra love or help. Even for those who might not have realized their own need, she had a sense of where and when a few words might be helpful. She never hesitated to share herself and her faith. This was Jean.

Above all, Jean was faithful to her Lord and Savior her entire life, always assured of her salvation. She was respected for her remarkable knowledge of Scripture and theology, always ready to help others as questions arose. Jean is now with her Lord, walking, talking, and thinking clearly again following her recent earthly struggles (Ps. 139: 13–16).

Jean leaves Wendell, her husband of 65 years; their daughters, Cynthia and Laurie of Bloomington and Zionsville, Ind.; their son, Willson, daughter-in-law, Lee, and grandson, Reese, of Winter Park, Fla.; and granddaughter, Meagan, of Rockville, Md.

—submitted by Wendell McBurney and family