Marjorie Jane Phinney, 100, of Joplin passed away March 27, 2018 at Spring River Christian Village from a long illness. Born and raised in Joplin to Mable Balsley and Leon Briggs, she attended Lindenwood College before transferring to the University of Missouri where she was a member of Delta Gamma and graduated at age 19 from the Missouri School of Journalism in 1936.
She was a journalist with the St. Louis Post Dispatch until marrying Robert Haywood Scott of Joplin. Following his death in 1954 she entered public relations and was for many years the City Clerk of Prairie Village, Kansas and President of the City Clerks statewide organization in Kansas.
She married Dr. Ed Phinney, VP for Academic affairs at Missouri Southern and returned to Joplin in 1968 where she was active in many local organizations. At various times she was President of Spiva Art Center, St. John’s Auxiliary, the Women’s Club, the Joplin Library, the Joplin 7th District Republican Club, Women’s Board of Twin Hills Golf and Country Club among other organizations. She was a member and served on the Session of the First Presbyterian Church in Joplin.
Her paternal grandmother, Ida Briggs, was one of the founders of Ridpath Club of which she was a member. She was also active in the Daughters of the American Revolution. Her father, Capt. Leon E. Briggs, one of the most highly decorated soldiers in WWI, was killed in action in the last days of the war when she was a year old. His father, J.L. Briggs, the third mayor of Joplin, served as a Union artillery Sergeant from the Wilderness to Appomattox.
Dr. Martin Balsley, her maternal grandfather, was one of the founders of St. John’s hospital in Joplin where his son, a surgeon, was one of the first chiefs of staff. Her husband, Ed Phinney served on St. John’s board. With the Sister then heading St. Johns Mrs. Phinney was active in starting its Foundation to support its humanitarian and charitable work.
She is preceded in death by her husbands, Robert Haywood Scott and Edward Phinney, and she is survived by her son, Robert Haywood Scott, Jr of Joplin, her granddaughter, Paige Carroll Scott of Atlanta, GA and her grandson Dr. Robert H. Scott, III of Interlaken, NJ along with her two great granddaughters Brielle and Ava, daughters of Dr. Robert Scott III and his wife Kim Stengel Scott.
A private committal will take place at Mount Hope Cemetery. Those wishing to make memorial contributions are requested to do so to the St. John’s Foundation (now Mercy), the First Presbyterian Church of Joplin or the American Heart Association. Arrangements are under the direction of Thornhill-Dillon Mortuary.
No comments:
Post a Comment