Jean V. Kizer
1932-2023
Jean Vaughn Kizer, loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother left this world for her heavenly home on October 7, 2023.
She was born to parents, John and Clara Walker on April 11, 1932. She grew up in Bernie, Missouri and graduated from Bernie High School. Jean married Lennie Gerald Kizer (Len) on January 31, 1953.
She and Len lived in Columbia, Missouri until 1958. They lived in Oklahoma and North Carolina while Len completed active duty for the Army R.O.T.C. Len and Jean moved to State College, Pennsylvania in 1960 where they both attended Pennsylvania State University. Jean graduated from Penn State with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and a master’s degree in Child Development. While living in Pennsylvania, they welcomed two sweet girls: Beth in 1963 and Kimberly in 1967.
Jean was actively involved in the Child Evangelism Fellowship Ministry in State College. She shared the gospel with many children and planted seeds of faith by teaching Good News Club.
Len and Jean moved to Starkville, Mississippi in 1976. They both worked at Mississippi State University and Jean completed her doctorate at the age of 61 in Anthropology and Social Work. She enjoyed teaching at Mississippi State and developed the Child Life Program in the Department of Human Sciences. Her passion for teaching grew out of her love and care for her students.
Jean enjoyed traveling in the United States and abroad. She delighted in planning trips with her large family. She wanted her grandchildren to create wonderful memories and experience adventures.
Jean is preceded in death by her husband, Len.
She is survived by her daughters and their husbands: Tom and Beth McCallum and Perry and Kimberly Pugh. She has eight grandsons: Corey McCallum, Clay McCallum, Mark McCallum, Nathan Pugh, Thomas Pugh, Matt McCallum, Caleb Pugh, and Ben McCallum. She also has four great-grandsons and one great-granddaughter: Knox McCallum, Hayes McCallum, Wyatt McCallum, Henry McCallum and Raleigh McCallum.
A visitation service will be held at Welch Funeral Home in Starkville, Mississippi on October 10, 2023 from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. Graveside Service will be at Memorial Gardens in Malden, Missouri on October 12, 2023 at 3:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, please donate on her behalf to St. Jude Hospital, Unless U (Birmingham ministry for adults with special needs) or to the Missions Offering at Bridgeway Church.
