Pearl Imogene (Kelley) Zook, 93, of Columbus, died at 5 a.m. Thursday, January 26, 2017 at Medicalodges of Columbus.
Born May 31, 1923 in Monarch (Treece), Pearl was the daughter of George Matson and Dona Belle (Williams) Kelley. Pearl started school at the age of four at Star school in Baxter Springs. When the family moved to Columbus, she attended first grade at Wyandotte School. She attended Central School and Cherokee County Community High School. She was a good athlete and was the only girl to play on the boys softball team. They called her “Kelley” so the team they were playing would not know they were playing against a girl. She pitched and played third base.
At the age of 18, Pearl moved to Michigan, where she worked as a “Rosie the Riveter” in an airplane factory during World War II.
Pearl and Elmer John (EJ) Zook were united in marriage May 2, 1943 in Ariton, Alabama. EJ was stationed at Fort Rocker, Alabama. He preceded her in death April 16, 1993.
After EJ was discharged from the service the couple moved back to the Columbus area.
They farmed together for many years, before Pearl went back into the work force. She worked at Berry Garment Factory in Columbus and then in Oswego. She also worked for Coons camper factory in Oswego before joining the team at Cameo in Columbus. During her final years of her working years she worked at Ace Electric in Columbus.
Pearl put her family first and was very involved with her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. She cared for her grandchildren well into her seventies. She loved playing dominos and cards with her grandchildren.
Pearl was always an active person. She enjoyed coaching and sometimes playing on the Rockets girls’ softball team in Columbus. She also was on several bowling teams in Columbus. Working puzzles was one of her passions. After moving to the Grand Villa, several people would bring her puzzles to put together for them so they could frame them as artwork.
In addition to her husband, EJ, Pearl was preceded in death by her parents, son John Edwin (Johnny), daughter Janice Marie (Zook) Walker, grandsons Tracy Gene Walker and Cory Zook.
Also preceding her in death were her brothers Ernest, Willis, James (Jimmy), Floyd and Albert Kelley, sisters Hazel Stephens, Ruby Garland, Florence Fruit, Dona Lora Black and two infant sisters Velma and Ida.
Pearl is survived by her daughter JoAnn Tash, of Hollister, Mo., granddaughters Alicia Mallatt, of Riverton, Lori Robbin, Hollister, Mo., Julie Blackwell, Branson, Mo., Shannon Davis, Monett, Mo., Amy (Walker) Storm, Danyele Payne and grandson Mitchell Mitchell. She is also survived by her brother George Leslie Kelley, of San Jose, Calif., sister Thelma Kelley Rocky, state of Illinois, many great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nieces Sharon Hiatt and Donna Martin both of Columbus and other nieces and nephews.
A graveside service was held Saturday, January 28 at 11 a.m. in Greenlawn Cemetery. Pastor Jim Rumble, of the Macedonia Baptist Church officiated. Pallbearers were Jared Robbins, Josh Keeton, Rob Robbins, Richard Blackwell, William Mallatt and Ray Kelley.
Memorials may be made to Compassus Hospice in Pittsburg in care of Derfelt Funeral Home in Columbus.
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