Mrs. Verlie Grace Cullen

Verlie Grace Cullen, age 94, of Belton, Missouri, passed away peacefully in her home on February 3, 2025, surrounded by her loving family—her son Mark, granddaughter Melissa, and her granddaughter’s husband, Jimmy. Born and raised on a small farm in southern Missouri, Verlie eventually made her home in the Kansas City area, where she and her late husband Albert Lee raised their two sons.

Growing up on the family farm, Verlie raised many animals, including her beloved horses. As an adult, she worked at Dorothy’s Laundry and later at Wal-Mart, where she even made a cameo in one of their commercials. After Lee’s retirement, the couple spent a year traveling the country before settling in Belton.

Verlie took great pride in her garden, where she grew and canned much of the food she lovingly prepared. Her meals were legendary, always plentiful, and often shared with family, friends, and neighbors. A true hostess, she welcomed all who came to her door, often inviting those passing through to stay, her parting words never failing to be, “Come see me!” Her home was a place of warmth, laughter, and constant life.

Verlie was preceded in death by her parents, John and Maggie Headley, her two older brothers, her beloved husband, one grandson, and three great-grandchildren. She leaves behind her two sons, Mark (Cathy) Cullen and David Cullen; her grandchildren, Matthew Cullen, Melissa (Jimmy) Vogel, Mallory Cullen, Joshua Cullen, and Ericka Cullen; and twelve great-grandchildren, all of whom she adored.

A funeral service will be held in her honor on Thursday, February 13, 2025, at 1:00 PM at McGilley & George Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 611 Chestnut, Belton, MO 64012. Burial will follow at 2:00 PM at Belton Cemetery, 710 S. Scott Ave., Belton, MO 64012, with pallbearers Jimmy, Bradley, Parker, and Cooper Vogel. Verlie’s spirit of hospitality, love, and laughter will be deeply missed by all who knew her.