Coleen Maydew

Bernice Coleen Timmons was born in Smith Center, KS on July 20, 1932 to Jess and Arminta (Cronn) Timmons. She passed from this earth on April 29, 2024 at the age of 91.
She attended country school at Corvallis and graduated from Smith Center High in 1950. She then became the first member of her family to attend college when she enrolled at Emporia State Teachers College to become a teacher. She received an emergency certificate due to a teacher shortage and returned to Smith County where she taught at Corvallis and Reamsville country schools for many years.
She married Smith Center native Dallas Maydew in California in September 1955. They lived there until his discharge from the US Marines at which time they moved to Washington State in 1956. Their daughter Sandra was born in 1960 followed by son Kenny in 1972. She finally graduated from college in 1965 and had a long satisfying teaching career. In 1992 she received Teacher of the year for her district and then was nominated as Washington State Teacher of the Year where she was one of three finalists. She always said she was glad she didn't win so she wasn't bothered with having to give a bunch of speeches.
Upon retirement she returned to Smith Center in 1995 where she enjoyed spending time with her large family and numerous friends. She was active in several clubs including Sweet Adeline's, Friends of Harmony and Lebanon Music Club. She loved to sing and entertain.
She was active in Garden Lore, Red Hats and TOPS for many years. She was loved to play cards and was a member of several card clubs. She was still actively gathering with friends to play cards to this day. She enjoyed working in her yard and taking care of her numerous beautiful flowers and plants.
She loved being a grandmother and attending all of her grandkids events. She traveled extensively to Washington to attend her granddaughter's dance performances. She was lucky to have several local grandchildren and loved attending all their sporting events. She was still actively traveling to attend them until her passing. She was very proud of all of them and their accomplishments. She loved singing to all the children in the family.
She was lucky enough to stay in her own home thanks to loving care from several family members namely daughter in law Rachel.
She was preceded in death by her parents Jess and Arminta, husband Dallas, 10 siblings Irene, Laura, Ken, Jack, Dorothy, Lucille, Glenn, Junior (Dude), Don and Joyce Ann, as well as numerous sister and brothers in law and nieces and nephews.
She is survived by daughter Sandra, son Kenny (Rachel), grandson Shane Hubbard, and granddaughters Kyla (Thomas) Frearson, Kendra, Shelby and Dallas Maydew, as well as great grandson Rex Frearson. She is also survived by two sisters in law Virginia Maydew and Sandy Maydew and numerous beloved nieces and nephews and dear friends.
She was deeply loved and will be terribly missed.