Rosemary Sullivan Chaney Bane obituary
Rosemary Sullivan Chaney Bane (age 94) died peacefully on May 23, 2019 in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
She was born in Clever, Missouri to Rosa (Maples) and Earl Tom Sullivan, and her life of music,
international travel, joyful service to others and achievement took her from Clever, to Cincinnati, OH, to
Springfield, MO and finally to Murfreesboro, TN. She accomplished much in her life, but her greatest
impact was on her family, students, and the many, many friends she made along the way with her
infectious smile, kind heart, generosity and positive spirit.
Rosemary graduated from Clever High School as Valedictorian, attended Drury College, received her
undergraduate degree Summa Cum Laude at Missouri State University (SMS at the time), and received
her master’s degree at the University of Missouri. She completed post-graduate work at Miami
University of OH, University of Cincinnati and Orff Schulwerk studies.
Rosemary has been recognized nationally as a musician and music educator and has served as a music
director, band director, choir director and devoted church member. She performed as a member of the
Springfield Symphony. She wrote children’s songs and music programs for several organizations,
published poems and authored the book, Recorder Fun. She continued her love of music throughout her
life, performing and teaching piano into her nineties. Among all of the instruments she could play, she
most enjoyed the piano, clarinet and bass violin.
She has received numerous awards for her work as a musician and teacher and has been recognized for
her leadership and service by the Daughters of the American Revolution, Daughters of American
Colonists, and the MO Society Colonial Dames XVII Century. She served as President of MO Classroom
Teachers, President of MO State Teachers Association, National President of State residents, President
of MO Retired Teachers Association, President of Clever Alumni Society, President of Indian Hill Schools
Alumni Society, President of the Parent Teachers Association in Cincinnati, President of Pi Beta Phi
Chapter; PEO Chapters Y and DC; Springfield Ladies Saturday Club; Kappa Kappa Iota; Province President
and National Board of Sigma Alpha Iota; National Committee member of Colonial Dames; Regent of
Rachel Donelson Chapter, DAR; Regent of Daughters of American Colonists; Southwest MO Museum Art
Associates Board of Trustees and Parliamentarian; Greene County Historical Society Board of Trustees;
German, Swiss, Austrian and Celtic Societies of the Ozarks Council Member; State Board of Directors and
Parliamentarian Colonial Dames; Daughters of Union Veteran Tent 22; Huguenot Society; Delta Kappa
Gamma; Phi Alpha Omega, MSU Founders Club; Cincinnati Woman’s Club Board; Cincinnati Blue Book;
Cincinnati College Club, and others. She served as a Deacon and Elder of First and Calvary Presbyterian
Church, President of Binnie Clements Guild, Sunday School Teacher, Moderator of Presbyterian Women,
Vice Moderator of the General Council, Moderator of JCP Networking and Resource Committee and
Moderator of JCP Presbyterian Women.
Since moving to Murfreesboro, she has been active in Colonel Hardy Murfree Chapter DAR, Cpt Thomas
Jameson Chapter DAC, Salmon Creek Chapter Colonial Dames XVII Century, the Delta Chapter of Kappa
Kappa Iota, PEO-Chapter BA, and First Presbyterian Church of Murfreesboro.
She was preceded in death by her true love, James E. Bane, emeritus Dean and Professor at MSU, and
former husband, Don Chaney; by her beloved son, Tom D. Chaney; and by her dear brother and sister-
in-law, Maple and Berniece Sullivan.
She is survived by a loving family, granddaughters Shannon Chaney Smith (Jay), Allison Chaney Harris
(Nathaniel III), and Erin Chaney Cabell (Thomas); daughter-in-law Pam Parsons Chaney Kious; great-
grandchildren Tom and Lillian Smith, Nathaniel IV and Harper Harris, Owen, Gabriel, Eden, and Nora
Cabell; step-children Nancy Schultejans, Jim Bane (Cloyce) and Ruthmary Brassfield (Irl); thirteen step-
grandchildren; nephews Dr. Tom Sullivan (Helen) and David Sullivan (Marilyn); beloved cousins, great-
nieces/nephews and other treasured, well-loved family members and friends.
Above all, Rosemary truly believed and lived the words of her favorite hymn, “Jesus Is All the World to
Me.”
Visitation will be 10:00 a.m. until the time of a funeral services beginning at 11:00 a.m. Saturday at First
Presbyterian Church, Murfreesboro, TN with Reverend Joyce Merritt officiating. Burial will follow in
Evergreen Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in memory of Mrs. Bane to the Missouri State University
Foundation, the Tom Chaney Memorial Scholarship for Music Majors, the James E. Bane Scholarship,
Kenneth E. Meyer Alumni Center, Suite 100, 300 South Jefferson Avenue, Springfield, MO 65806-2211,
or the First Presbyterian Church of Murfreesboro – Endowment Fund, 210 N. Spring St., Murfreesboro, TN 37130
