Jean Ray (Robbins) Hoak
1936 – 2023

Jean Hoak, 86, of Raymore, Missouri passed away peacefully September 27, 2023 at Foxwood Springs Senior Living. A Celebration of Life service will be held on Friday, October 6 at 11:00am CT at The Church of the Resurrection's Wesley Chapel in Leawood, KS. She will be interred at North Cross United Methodist Church in Kansas City, MO.

Jean was born in Greensboro, NC on December 4th, 1936, to James Raymond and India Anna (Bateman) Robbins. As a girl, she was involved in gardening, basketball and traveling. Her love of travel started in 1949 when her father arranged a family trip to Havana, Cuba. Her favorite location was Hawaii, particularly Kaua'i. This love of travel culminated in a 30-day around the world cruise in 2015. Along the way there were many other travel adventures including five trips to Hawaii and six cruises to Alaska and various other international destinations.

After graduation from Ruffin (NC) High School in 1954, Jean attended The Woman's College (WC) of the University of North Carolina in Greensboro, where she received her Bachelor of Arts in education in 1959. WC became part of the University of North Carolina system. It was decided in 1962 that men would be admitted, and the name was changed to University of North Carolina – Greensboro. Jean was always very proud to say she was an alumnus of UNCG. She always cheered for the Tarheels basketball and football teams, especially when they played University of NC – Chapel Hill or Duke University. She could be heard cheering or grumbling at the TV for any UNCG game. Ultimately, she earned her master's degree in education from Central Missouri State University (now University of Central Missouri) in 1978.

During college, Jean was an active member of Wesley Foundation. Through this organization, she attended a national gathering in Lawrence, KS where she met her future husband, Dale Hoak. The romance blossomed and they were married at College Place Methodist Church in Greensboro on June 20, 1959. After the wedding, they moved to Stockwell, Indiana where Dale was a student pastor.

Jean's work life included teaching, being a stay-at-home mom for her two children, then returning to teaching when the family moved from Indiana to the Kansas City, MO area in 1974. Jean spent many years educating elementary and middle school aged children. After 21 years with the North Kansas City School District, she retired from Eastgate Middle School in 2001.

As her children were involved in high school marching band, she volunteered at KC Royals and KC Chiefs concession stands as part of the band's fund-raising program. That evolved into a second career working at Kaufman and Arrowhead Stadiums. It was a perfect match as she was an avid fan of both teams.

Jean has been described by her friends and family as sweet, amazing, strong, caring, adventurous, calm, feisty and a woman who did things her own way on her own terms in her own timeframe. She was a model of the energy and strength, tenderness, devotion, and love that all of us should maintain in our own lives.

Jean is survived by her husband of 64 years, Dale, and her two children, Anne (Jeff) Justice and Stephen (Jennifer) Hoak, three grandchildren, Aaron (Marissa), Jacob (Kristen) and Adam, two great grandchildren, Bentley and Lydia, and numerous cousins, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, and nieces.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to:
Missouri Palliative and Hospice Care, 3675 S Noland Rd, Ste 215C, Independence, MO 64055,
The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection Backpack Ministry, 13720 Roe Ave., Leawood, KS 66224, or The Alzheimer's Association

Until we meet again, Jean, we love you!

Jean's service may be viewed in the recording below:

https://vimeo.com/877153616

Arrangements: Cullen Funeral Home, Inc., Raymore, Missouri 816.322.5278