Leona May Pierce

Leona May Pierce, 93, passed away Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2015 at at 12:52am the Excelsior Springs Nursing & Rehab Center. Funeral service 10am Friday, Aug. 21, 2015 at the McGilley & Sheil Chapel by Dr. Charles Oliver with visitation one hour prior. Burial at Hillcrest Cemetery in Excelsior Springs, MO.

Leona was born October 24, 1921 in Tina, MO; the fourth child born to Leonard Noel Fisher & Willie May Demint. Leonard was a farmer & Willie was a housewife at the time. Leona had an 8th grade education, but went on to take her GED on February 18th & 19th of 1975. She passed with the highest score in Interpretation of Literary Materials.

Leona was preceded in death by her parents; her siblings, Victor, Lowell, Vennis, Opal & Bernice; her second husband, James Daniel Smith & her son, Thomas “Little Tom” Pierce from her third marriage to Thomas Marvin Pierce who passed away on Dec. 2, 1989.

Leona is survived by her children by her first marriage to Chester Franklin Dover, Donna Lou Bass (Donald), Norma Bernice Smith & Herbert Charles Dover; her children by her second marriage to James Daniel Smith, Doris May Hardie & James Daniel Smith; Leona’s grandchildren, Heather Lynn Kidd & Rachel Giordono (Anthony) from her daughter, Donna, William “Billy” Joseph Mittlelstadt & Jason Douglas Smith from her daughter, Norma, Jon Savate Dover & Vanessa Chase from her son, Herbert and Thomas Pierce & Casey Pierce from her deceased son, Little Tom. Leona is also survived by her great grandchildren, Lila Grace Voltmer & Ruby Lauren Aust from her granddaughter, Rachel; Ryan Joseph Middelstadt from her grandson, Billy & Jon Chase from her granddaughter, Vanessa.

The family would like to thank Preferred Hospice & Excelsior Springs Nursing & Rehab staff who worked together as a team to create a kind & loving atmosphere to protect, care for & love mom until she gently passed away.

Leona loved to write & in reading her stories the realization that writing was her voice was evident. She didn’t talk much, so her stories are that much more amazing. There are so many stories and not enough time as she had an index of stories and poems she had written throughout the years. As Leona lost her memory, Dominos was frequently played to fill the void, so we just played on!

Online condolences to www.mcgilleysheil.com. Arr: McGilley & Sheil Chapel, 11924 E. 47th St., Kansas City, MO 64133, 816-353-6555.