On the afternoon of September 2, 2021, Faith Lea Young (née Sutton) of Olathe, Kansas (formerly of Lenexa, Kansas and before that St. Louis, Missouri), who was known primarily as Lea, passed away at the age of 76, surrounded by family.
Lea was preceded in death by her aunt and uncle, Ocieolla West (née Sutton) and James West, who she considered her parents, and also by her siblings: Paul West, Perry West, Percy West, Daisy West, Lee West, Leona Hedrick (née West), Faith Gates (née West), David Sutton, Daniel Sutton, and Marion Sutton.
Lea is survived by husband Thomas Young of Olathe; son Thomas Young and daughter-in-law Teresa Young (née Huckins), both of St. Louis; son Steven Young and daughter-in-law Gayle Zilber, both of Sammamish, Washington; son Matthew Young of Prairie Village, Kansas; and her beloved grandchildren Jo Young of Oakland, California, Tara Young of Sammamish, and Kai Young of Sammamish. She is also survived by brother-in-law James Gates of Gladstone, Missouri; sister-in-law Karen Young of Clinton, Missouri; and many nieces and nephews.
Lea was a lifelong fan of the St. Louis Cardinals, and also enjoyed watching the Kansas City Chiefs and Kansas Jayhawk basketball. She worked at JC Penney’s and the Nebraska Furniture Mart before retiring, and kept in touch with many friends from both. In recent years she enjoyed spending time with old friends from St. Louis, Steve and Sharon Smock, after they relocated to Olathe. Her favorite places in the world were the beach at Destin, Florida, and wherever her children or grandchildren were. She was smart, caring, devoted, and liked to decorate with roosters. She will be missed by the many who loved her.
A celebration of Lea’s life will be held at 3:30 PM on September, September 18th at McGilley & Hoge Memorial Chapel in Overland Park, Kansas, with visitation at 2:00 PM. Memorial contributions may be given in her memory to Children’s Mercy, Department of Philanthropy, 2401 Gillham Road, Kansas City, Missouri 64108 (https://www.childrensmercy.org/ways-to-give/). Condolences may be left online at http://www.mcgilleyhoge.com.
