Death From Fire Near Warrensburg

Paula Sue Rumsey

The Johnson County Fire District received a call at 4:23 a.m. Thursday about a fire at 603 N.W. 11^th Road just west of Route 13, north of Warrensburg.Assistant Chief Dee Bennett said the home was a total loss, although investigators are still working to determine the cause of the blaze.

Paula Rumsey, 49, was found dead inside the home. Bennett said her cause of death is still undetermined. Johnson County Coroner C.L. Holdren was unavailable for comment. No one else was home at the time. Rumsey began her career in the Warrensburg R-VI School District in August 1989 as an Early Childhood teacher at Reese School. She was a kindergarten teacher at Ridge View Elementary before retiring in 2011 and had previously taught kindergarten at South East Elementary.
 
Donna Turner-Witbeck was an art teacher at the former South East Elementary and met Rumsey when she was hired there in 2002. “She had such a big heart,” Turner-Witbeck said. “She would do anything for you. I know you hear that a lot, but she really would. And she loved to visit with people. She was just very open. And she had such a beautiful singing voice. Sometimes she would just sing in the halls.” Superintendent Dr. Scott Patrick said the Warrensburg R-VI School District was saddened to hear of Rumsey’s death.

“Mrs. Rumsey was a valued member of our Warrensburg teaching faculty for 22 years,” Patrick said in a written statement. “During that time, she formed long-lasting relationships with both staff and students and will be remembered for her caring and compassionate personality. Our thoughts and prayers are with Paula’s family during this very difficult time.” Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at Sweeny-Philips & Holdren Funeral Home. Graveside services will be held at 12:30 p.m. at Blue Springs Cemetery in Blue Springs, Mo.