Lela Maurice Bears, age 91, peacefully passed away June 3, 2019 at Truman Medical Center - Lakewood in Lee's Summit, Missouri. She was born February 26, 1928 to Daniel and Cordelia (Hitt) Smith in Greenwood, Missouri.
Lela married the love of her life, William L. "Bill" Bears in 1947. She was a beloved mother, sister, grandmother, great grandmother and great-great grandmother, aunt and friend to many. Lela enjoyed life and living for her family. She was a member of Lee's Summit Bible Church. In the past, she worked for the IRS.
Lela had a passion for studying genealogy. She and her sister enjoyed researching and traveling to various states. She was also a very talented, creative and crafty person. On of her most notorious crafts was crocheting hand bags and totes from recycled plastic bags. She even made the news on Fox 4. Lela also enjoyed making baby quits (comfort blankets) which she donated to Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City. In addition to this, she devotedly studied her Bible on a daily basis at home and loved to attend Bible Study at church when her health allowed. Everyone that was fortunate enough to know her well attest to her amazing food and Sunday gatherings at her home. She has most definitely left behind a life-long legacy of love, hope and faith for us all.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, two sisters: Thelma Ray and Aletha Daulthon.
Left to cherish Lela's memory are her children: Patricia A. Carter of Lee's Summit, Missouri, Colleen Y. Davis of New Blaine, Arkansas, William L. Bears, Jr. (Connie) of Greenwood, Missouri, and Donald W. Bears (Suzanne) of Holden, Missouri; many grandchildren, great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren; sister, Alberta Sealey of Kingsville, Missouri, several nieces and nephews, and other loving family and friends.
DONATIONS
Wounded Warrior ProjectP.O. Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18