Mary Leona Culp

Mary Leona Culp, 92, passed away Saturday, December 22, 2012 at Sunrise Senior Living in Lenexa, Kansas. She was a lifelong resident of Kansas City. Mary was a devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She is survived by son Richard Lee Culp (Mary Kay), and daughter Lana Sue Lee, grandchildren Christine Marie Lemmon (Dan), Kevin Crissman Culp (Amy), Malinda Rene Lee and Brian Andrew Lee, and great grandchildren Drew, Olivia, Ryan, Lilly and Aaron Lemmon, and Lucy Culp. Mary was born to Guy Ernest and Eleanora (McCarty) Crissman on September 30, 1920 at their farm in Clinton, Missouri. Her siblings Ernest Crissman, Beatrice "Bea" Funston, Grace Irene Brown and Josephine "Jo" Ausbrook all preceded her in death. She was baptized at Sante Fe Hills Baptist Church in Kansas City, Missouri. She was her father's favorite as the youngest in the family. After graduation from Harrisonville High School, Mary moved to downtown Kansas City where she held several jobs including modeling for The Jones Store. She met John Henry Culp at North American Company where she worked on the assembly line building airplanes during World War II. She later worked for Bendix Manufacturing (now Honeywell) from 1958 until her retirement in 1988. John and Mary were married on August 15, 1945 and were married for 33 years. Mary lived in Kansas City, Missouri Waldo area until 2010 when she moved to Sunrise Senior Living in Lenexa to be closer to her children. She ended each day listening to her favorite radio show featuring Darla Jaye! Mary will always be remembered for her great homemade meals but more importantly, for her always sunny disposition and dispensing of unconditional love for her family. She was a woman with style for fashion but gracious and kind to all who shared her life’s journey. Visitation will be 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Friday, December 28, 2012 at Mt. Moriah & Freeman Funeral Home, 10507 Holmes Rd., Kansas City, Missouri 64131 with graveside services and burial to follow in Mt. Moriah Cemetery. Condolences may be offered at www.mtmoriah-freeman.com.