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Memorial Services
Sunday, July 24, 2016
Smithville Community of Christ Church
19400 N. 169 Hwy.
Smithville, MO 64089
4-5:30 p.m.
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Leota May (Sumner) Day
January 13, 1930 - July 13, 2016
Her Story
Birthdate: Jan. 13, 1930. Her best friend Janice, and Jim's Mother Irene shared the same birthday, so if the family ever forgot the date, they were in BIG trouble.
Birthplace: Grandview, Missouri. Daughter of Walter and Grace (Wood) Sumner. She grew up in Atherton on an island in the middle of the Missouri River. She would use a rowboat to get to land in order to go to school every day. She loved the river and wants her ashes spread in the Mighty Muddy MO to help sweeten the river pollution.
Current Home: As of July 13, 2016, she is finally reunited with her "Sweetie" Ralph, who passed away on March 21, 2015. She had been waiting anxiously to kiss him right between his eyes. Through her life she lived in many types of houses from a Chicken Coop, a Glass House, a tiny Camping Trailer where Vera slept in the bathtub, plus lots of "fixer uppers". They'd buy a junker, fix it up, sell and buy another to fix up, which included one that was pink and gray striped. But each house became a home with lots of love and hard work. These were all in various locations throughout the country from Concord, Pittsburg, Antioch and Walnut Creek, Calif.; Bradenton, Sarasota, and Palmetto, Fla.; Acworth, Ga.; Kingsville, Holden, Kansas City, Platte Woods and, most recently, Kearney, Mo.
Family: Leota was the youngest of three girls, but was expected to work just as hard as everyone else. They lived and worked on a farm. She grew up "bucking bails" and breaking horses (thus the damaged back and constant pain which showed up in later years). She loved to crawl on her belly into her Father's watermelon patch and eat the hearts out of the melons until he would "catch her" and chase her into the pond to clean up. When she was 12 years old a young man by the name of Ralph started courting her. She couldn't stand him at the time, so would run and hide whenever he came over. However, her Mother had other ideas and always told "Ralphie" where Leota was hiding. Finally she gave up running away and started to enjoy his company. They were married April 22, 1946 in Holden, Mo. She was 16 and he was 17 years old. Their "puppy love" lasted almost 69 years. They had two daughters, Vera Johnson and Andria Melham, of Kearney, Mo. They lived most of the past 35 years with Andria and her husband, Jim. Through the years, they took in several foster children, and just about anyone that needed a temporary home. She had two sisters, Millie Coleclasure Teeters, and Zelpha Aleta Overcast, both of who preceded her in death.
She was gifted with a “sixth sense” that always told her what her children were doing or about to do. Many times she would warn them ahead of time of what was going to happen if they proceeded, but rarely listening, they wound up experiencing the exact thing she warned them about. This sometimes caused painful experiences and the girls just knew she must be a witch and had eyes in the back of her head. As with all families there are bound to be problems and she had her share, but she loved her family dearly and would sacrifice beyond need in order to help or protect them. She encouraged her family to do their best and love all people. She was Grandma to eight Grandchildren: David Johnson and wife Jody, Shelli Johnson Hopkins and husband Tony, Jonathan Melham and wife Cory, Gregory Melham and wife Kelly, and GGMA to five great grandchildren: Damia and Amilia Hopkins, Kole and Aniah Johnson, and Kameron Hind.
Occupation: Wife, Mother, Grandma, GGMA, Daughter, Sister, Best Friend, Helper to Homeless and those in need, Cake Baker and Decorator Extraordinaire. She was a PTA Room mother for years, always bringing the best baked goods to their classes. She made her own 40th Anniversary Cake and Jim and Andi’s Wedding cake. She was a very “Crafty Lady” making most of her daughters’ toys and clothes. As a Sales Clerk and Assistant Manager she enhanced her professional skills. She loved her work as the Manager of “Yester Year Farm” for intercity children at Allendale Educational Foundation in Kansas City, where she showed children farm animals and how to care for them. She served as a Peace Guide, Director of Supplies with the Children’s PEACE Center, Accountant, Magic Maker, and Taxi Driver in Independence, Mo. She even drove Harry Truman around town one time. She worked in Kitchens in Restaurants, Hotels and was many a Camp Cook. She was a Nurse at the Sanitarium Hospital in Independence, and served as a Home health nurse for various families as well as a Hospice nurse. Her compassion expanded by learning sign language to assist deaf passengers at Delta Airlines where she worked as a Wells Fargo Security Guard in Kansas City. There she met many famous people and had quite the conversations with Jean Simmons of KISS, Johnny Cash, Pat Boone, and Larry Storch of F-Troop, among others. Her Security Stories have become famous in the family. Her favorite occupation was the Owner-Operator of their Laundromat and Car Wash in Harrisonville and Mobile Home Rental Management. She did love to do laundry and help “old people”.
Calling: She was a born Sunday School Teacher. She taught classes most of her life, was a Youth Leader with her husband while both were still teens. She served as Pastors Wife, Women’s Leader, and was called to the office of Elder for Community of Christ on January 22, 1995. When she was active in church she gave it her all and gave a listening ear to anyone in need. She was best known for serving meals to visiting Ministers and always having a welcoming home. She could make a simple meal expand to serve several unexpected guests. Her home was always open and at one time held 14 extra people over the winter besides her own growing family. Her children remember that their friends always wanted to come to their house because of their “cool Mom”. Her greatest wish was that her family would know Christ’s peace and love for each other.
Education: She attended a one room school house part of her life and graduated from High School in Holden, Mo. At times she would ride her very large horse to school accompanied by their dog. When she got home from school she did chores on the farm and helped milk their very generous cow “Teenie Brown”, then did her homework by kerosene lamp light. She had a small “gang” of kids that hung around and did things together all through grade school and high school. Some still keep in touch today. She learned to bake bread and make butter early in life which helped her family gain many pounds later in life.
Favorite Activity: She loved to bake and always had warm cookies for visiting playmates, cakes for every occasion, and lots of good after school snacks. She wasn’t a great singer, but loved to sing. Sometimes she and the girls would harmonize in the car during vacation trips … assured that the windows were up in the car. She helped with Science Projects and encouraged children to learn about paintings and artists. In her spare time she did jigsaw puzzles and turned them into framed pictures. She made all the kids Halloween Costumes and helped run the backyard “Carnivals”. She loved animals and welcomed all sorts of creatures into her home from Moles, Snakes, Pigs, Raccoons, Kinkajous, and Horses, along with the standard dogs, cats and birds. While on a rainy Florida vacation she learned to knit and crochet with the help of a neighbor vacationer. From then on there was no stopping her. There are tons of Afghans, sweaters, toys, stuffed animals and dolls in everyone’s closets. Even the dogs had matching sweaters with their owners. From there she progressed to many other crafts and fell in love with plastic canvas. The entire house took on a new look with everything made out of plastic canvas.
Favorite Vacation: Leota loved to just stay home. She wasn’t much on going places out of her comfort zone but she did travel a lot on vacations with the family to various states. One memorable trip was when Jim and Andi took them to Hawaii. She really did not want to go. She said she didn’t want to go where they didn’t speak English. It took a lot to convince her that just because you fly over water, it was still part of the United States. She had to be guaranteed that they did indeed speak English and had American money. That trip helped prepare her for a trip to Rome and Athens several years later where she learned that Ouzo is NOT water while cruising the Mediterranean.
Prized Possessions: Her Wedding Ring never left her finger for all the years they were married except for one time when she broke her shoulder and her hand swelled. Then she took it off and carefully slid it onto Ralph's finger until she could wear it again. Also, if you can call a living creature a possession, Leota’s favorite "possession" was “Sonshine” her precious White Ring Necked Dove. She cherished each moment she got to play with her, adored her antics and enjoyed her sitting on her head. When her health failed so badly that everything hurt, she always had a smile when she was given a feather from Sonshine or when the dove sat on her hand in her bedroom.
Favorite Things: Ice Crème was right up there on the favorite list, but it had to be home made. She invented several flavors, but her most famous was “Red Hot” Ice Cream made from red hot candies. Everyone loved it. She had a special trick to making ice cream that did not require eggs so it was always safe when everyone else was worried about raw eggs. She was also famous for her Raw Apple Cake, which still can’t be duplicated even after years of trying. Fall was her favorite time of year. She loved to go "tree leaf" shopping, just to see all the beautiful colors. She liked to play Rummy Cube and other table games with the grandkids and friends. She loved to listen to her family and always tried to make time for them. As her health failed, her greatest joy was having her grandkids visit and sharing stories of their lives. Her last smile was when her Grandson David held her hand and shared memories of fun times they had together.
Leota, we remember the good times we’ve had together and all that you’ve helped us learn. Your challenge to always be our best and trust in God will help us through the rest of our lives. We’re glad you’re back with your beloved "sweetie" Ralph. We love you and will miss you until we meet again.
Cremation was performed by Fry-Bross & Spidle Funeral Home of Kearney, Mo. The family invites you to leave your condolences, and your favorite stories or comments concerning Leota on the website.
Memorial Services are being held in Missouri, Sunday, July 24, 2016, at Smithville Community of Christ Church, 19400 N. 169 Highway, Smithville, MO 64089. It will be held 4 to 5:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary (doors open 3:30 p.m.), followed by a light meal and visiting from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. A second service will be held in Georgia at a later date.
Memorial contributions are suggested to Liberty Hospital Hospice or Children's PEACE Center, both can be sent to the home at 203 E. 12th St. Kearney, MO 64060 for distribution.
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