Alma Rae Greenwood

Alma Rae (Benney) Greenwood Alma Rae (Benney) Greenwood, age 95, passed away on Friday, November 25, 2016, fittingly over Thanksgiving weekend when family and friends used to flock to her table. Ben, as she was known to friends in Denver; Rae Rae, as her nieces and nephews called her; and Dr. Greenwood, as she was respectfully referred to by her students and colleagues; played an enormous role in the lives of her friends and family members, and that of the education community in Denver Public Schools.   Alma Rae Benney was born on November 2, 1921 to John Harland Benney and Dollie Eldora (Frith) Benney. She was raised in Breckenridge, Missouri and graduated from Breckenridge High School in 1938. Alma Rae played trumpet in the school band and was center on the girls' basketball team. She followed music and women's collegiate basketball the rest of her life. Alma Rae went on to earn a teaching certificate after two years of study at Central Missouri State Teacher College in 1942 and began her teaching career in Independence, Missouri. She obtained her BS degree in 1949 from Central Missouri State. She moved to Denver in 1949, beginning her long tenure in Denver Public Schools. On August 13, 1950, Alma Rae married Charles Naason Greenwood in Breckenridge. As a married couple, Alma Rae and Charles set up residence in Denver together. Alma Rae went on to earn her MA in education from the University of Denver and her Ph.D. in educational administration and curriculum from the University of Northern Colorado. Alma and Charles remained devoted to one another until Charles death in October 2011. Alma Rae was also preceded in death by her mother and father, brother, John Wesley Benney, sister, Martha Benney Hargrove, and, sister-in-law, Marilyn Benney. She is survived by her brother, Joe Benney, many Benney and Greenwood nieces and nephews, and her Colorado cousins.   Family, education, fishing and playing Hearts and dominoes were most important to Alma Rae, not necessarily in that order. She taught younger generations of family about special traditions, including foods that were important to her and her parents, grandparents and many aunts. Her recipes are so important to her nieces, nephews, and honorary grandkids, they were compiled into special books and given to them before her passing. Alma Rae could tell the best fish stories! She and Chuck spent summer vacations on the Grand Mesa and in Cedaredge, Colorado, fishing, hiking, and camping. They introduced their Colorado cousins and all relatives who came to visit Colorado in summer the best hiking and fishing spots on the mesa. They also shared the best ice cream store on the Western Slope at Aspen Trails Campground where their beloved "trailer" was permanently parked. During winter and spring vacations, Rae Rae and Chas took their visiting nieces and nephews skiing on the Front Range and Western Slope.   Family had to be careful when learning how to play Hearts from her, though, because she was known to "cheat".   Alma Rae taught third grade in her own classrooms; and she taught first, second and third grade content on Denver's KRMA-TV, Channel 6. Her TV lessons were watched for 14 years in classrooms all over Denver. Her story time was especially memorable because of her puppet, Sir Willie, who helped tell the stories. Sir Willie was known to all the Baby Boomers in the family and classrooms throughout Denver.   After retiring, Alma Rae joined the education service organization, P.E.O. She held many offices and helped promote scholarships to Cottey College in Nevada, Missouri for thirty years. She continued to make friends with and touch the hearts of her caregivers at The Englewood Meridian, who apparently, fought over who could take care of her and who took on extra shifts if it meant they could be with her.   The family Pied Piper will be held in our hearts as the most fun aunt, cousin, honorary grand- and great-grandmother, and friend a person could have. She was "Gooder an ary angel" for at least "forty-leven" years.   Funeral services will be held at the United Methodist Church, Breckenridge, Missouri, on Friday, December 2, 2016, at 11:00 a.m. A scheduled family visitation will be held at the United Methodist Church, Breckenridge, Missouri, on Friday, December 2, 2016, one hour prior to the service at 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. Friends may call at the Lindley Funeral Home, Chillicothe, Missouri, on Thursday, December 1, 2016, from 12 noon until 6:00 p.m. and again on Friday, December 2, 2016, at the United Methodist Church, Breckenridge, Missouri, from 8:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. Burial will be held at Rose Hill Cemetery, Breckenridge, Missouri. Memorial contributions may be made to the Charles N. and Alma Greenwood College Scholarship Fund and may be left at or mailed to Lindley Funeral Home, P.O. Box 47, Chillicothe, Missouri 64601. Online condolences may be made at www.lindleyfuneralhomes.com .   Arrangements are under the direction of Pitts Funeral Home, Breckenridge, Missouri.