Zona Moreland Raveill

Zona Maurice Moreland Raveill, 84, transitioned from this earthly plain on September 22, 2013. Born in Alva, Oklahoma on November 9th, 1928, Zona was the second of seven children born to Sherman Walter Moreland and Gayel Celeste (Ritter) Moreland. An older brother died in infancy, leaving Zona the oldest sibling of Leona, Jim, DeAnna, Bonita, and Ronald.
Nicknamed “Doughie” by her family, Zona was fond of telling stories from her early days in rural northwest Oklahoma. Zona’s family lived on a farm outside of Freedom, Oklahoma where she spent the first 12 years of her life. It was here that she attended the one room school house she often spoke of, along with her sister Leona and brother Jim. She loved recalling her days in Freedom, running foot races with her cousins and siblings and spending time on the family farm. When Zona was twelve, the family moved away from the farm, first to Alva, Oklahoma and later, to Santa Fe, New Mexico where they lived for three years before returning to Alva.
Zona graduated from high school in Alva and went on to attend Northwestern State College. Zona received her teaching degree from Northwestern State College and later earned a Master’s Degree from the University of Missouri at Kansas City.
Zona married Eugene Cordell of Alva, Oklahoma on July 11, 1948. To their marriage, three children were born: Dennis, Gayla, and Zoe.
In 1969, Zona moved to Independence, Missouri where she accepted a position as a fifth grade teacher at Alton Elementary School. Later, she would also teach third grade there. On June fourth of 1977, Zona married Ken Raveill at Slover Park Congregation in Independence. They were blessed with over 36 years of marriage.
Zona had many friends. She had a passion for gardening. She also loved hand work such as cross stitch, crocheting, and quilting. She was an avid reader and a devoted dog owner to her canine companion, Fritz. She was a member of the Community of Christ Church, attending the Stone Church Congregation regularly. She was also a member of the Retired Teachers Association, New Era Study Club, Shepard Center, Urantia Society, Knife and Fork Club, as well as many other clubs where she frequently volunteered her time and talents.
Zona was predeceased by her parents, Sherman and Gayel Moreland, her older brother who died in infancy, her sister Leona Knight, her brother Jim Moreland, her niece Shawna Goodin, and her stepson, Paul Raveill. She is survived by her loving husband Ken Raveill, son Dennis Cordell, daughter and son-in-law, Gayla and Phil Chaney, daughter Zoe Haynes, sisters DeAnna Goodin and Bonita McCoy, brother and sister-in-law, Ron and Nancy Moreland, grandchildren, Vanessa Hooper and Hilary Anne Haynes, Paul Chaney, Paxton Chaney, Phillip Chaney, great-grandsons, Caleb Sawyer and Paxton Chaney, Jr., stepdaughter and husband, Nancy Lynn and John Herrera, nephews Derek Goodin, George McCoy, Craig Moreland, James Moreland, Jason Moreland, Jesse Knight, and nieces, Sue Denton, Debi Gould, Celesta Bennett, and Michelle Striplin as well as many cousins and other relatives. The family would like to express their gratitude to The Groves Retirement Center staff and hospice workers for their excellent care, kindness and compassion shown toward Zona.