Cora Alice McCulley (1936)

MCCULLEY

Posted By: Treva Patterson
Date: 6/2/2007 at 14:02:23

The Winterset Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
Thursday, June 11, 1936

DEATH ENDS CAREER OF CORA MCCULLEY

Three Generations of Pupils Had Passed Through Her Classroom

Cora Alice McCulley, dean of all school teachers in Winterset, died at home here Sunday. She was 67 years of age.

Miss McCulley, as she was affectionately known to three generations of school children of Winterset, had been a teacher in the public schools here for 47 years. Most of her teaching was done in the primary department, in which she was recognized has having unusual ability in introducing young children into the world of school life. In late years she had, in many instances been teaching the grandchildren of her first pupils.

Ill health forced her retirement from work shortly before the close of the school year this spring.

Paul Henry, superintendant of the Winterset public schools paid tribute to Miss McCulley, Wednesday. "It is difficult for us to realize," he said, "that today we stand upon the dividing line between the life and memory of Miss Cora McCulley. As we look back over the varied experiences with her, days of buoyancy and pleasure, rivalries and ambitions, duties and a generous friendship, disappointments and triumphs we cannot repress the twinge of regret that comes with the thought of parting.

"There is one thought, however, that is uppermost in our minds, dispelling the shadows of sadness and casting a golden glow upon the morning sky of the future. The influence of her beautiful life has left a lasting impression upon our minds and hearts, pervading the innermost recesses of our natures, and it is destined to become a guiding principle in our lives.

"Miss McCulley has been a kind and fostering mother to many boys and girls in Winterset. It seemed as I worked with her, for seven years, that her open and lived philosophy was 'service before self'. She always exemplified patience and generosity. A tribute to her that seems fitting is "She served, she mastered, and was loved by all."

Miss McCulley was the daughter of David and Amy McCulley and was born at Grandview, Iowa, on January 22, 1877. Her life was spent in her public school work and in her active membership in the United Presbyterian church.

Surviving Miss McCulley are her sister, Eva, with whom she made her home here, six nieces and four nephews.

The funeral services were held Wednesday from the United Presbyterian church in Winterset, in charge of the pastor, the Rev. W. G. Robertson. Burial was made in the Winterset cemetery.
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County Coordinator's Note: Her true DOB is believed to be 22 Jan 1867 despite what her gravestone says. As Cora and her sister, Eva, grew older, their census DOB kept advancing to make them seem younger than they actually were. Census information given by their mother in 1900 as well as the 1870 census in Louisa County show Cora to be born in 1867.

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