Velma Jean Pruitt Compton, Class of 1961

Velma Jean Pruett Compton ’61 died on February 9, 2022. Jean was born on February 17, 1939, in Centerburg, Ohio to the late Thurman and Velma Pruett. She began dating Jack Compton ’64 at the age of 13, when he kissed her in the cornfield by their house. The two attended Otterbein College where Jean was involved in Epsilon Kappa Tau (Arbutus) sorority before they both left to fulfill a teacher shortage. Jean eventually returned to Otterbein and completed her Bachelor’s of Science degree in Elementary Education in 1987.

Jean worked for many places that all had the common theme of helping people. She was a teacher in Centerburg Schools and Dan Emmett Elementary in Mt. Vernon. She was also a substance abuse counselor for adults and had served on the Centerburg Board of Education. One of her most cherished roles was her job as the “Sunshine Lady” as she went throughout schools in the county teaching children self-esteem and self-worth while combating bullying and sadness. Her true life’s work was just making anyone around her feel better about their day as well as about themselves. Jean was a member of the Centerburg Church of Christ and was actively involved in directing the choir and with the music programs there. In the last few years, she attended the Johnstown Christian Church and loved the people there.

She was preceded in death by her parents as well as her brother, Keith Pruett. Jean is survived by her husband of 62 years, John ‘Jack’ Compton ’64; children Teri (Don) James, Tonia (Paul) Gregory, John (Karyn) Compton and Jarrod (Kathy Edwards ’95) Compton; twelve grandchildren, and three great- grandchildren. She is also survived by brother Ron (Sharon) Pruett, sister-in-law Maryann Pruett, and many in-laws, nieces, and nephews.