Myrtle Marie (Vaughn) James was born May 15, 1930, in Watertown, SD, to Albert and Ida Vaughn. They moved their family shortly after to Caroll County Missouri and bought a farm near Bogard, MO. She graduated high school in 1948 and three months later married the love of her life, Leonard. They made their first home on a farm near Stet, MO. They moved to Kansas City in 1951, where they raised their four daughters. She was a devoted wife and mother and always made time for her family. Through the years, she worked a few part time jobs at JCPenney and Midwest Bookkeeping and Tax. She was a devout Christian and was a charter member of Norfleet Baptist Church. She loved music and played both piano and guitar by ear. She was even known to do a little yodeling every now and then. She taught Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, and was on several committees in the church. She was also a member of Eastern Star in Braymer, MO.
She will be missed by her family and friends. Survivors include, her four daughters, Linda and husband Boyd, Gail, Susan, and Sheila and husband Doyle; seven grandchildren, Darin and Marissa, Brian and Carolyn, Jay and Lynn, Brandi and Chris, Brea and Mark, Taylor and Steve, Shelby and Joel; two step-granddaughters, Amy and Alyssa; ten great-grandchildren, Christopher, Tyler, Kyre’, Evan, Joseph, Aliah, Charlie, Christian, Ben, and Samuel; and one great-great-granddaughter, Avery; she is also survived by one sister-in-law, and numerous nieces and nephews, and many dear friends. She was preceded in death by her six brothers, three sisters, husband Leonard, sons-in-law, Colin and Rex, and granddaughters Lexie and Renee and grandson-in-law Rodney. Her love for God and family is an inspiration to all who knew her. Visitation will be Friday, 6-8 PM. Funeral service will be Saturday, 2:00 PM at Newcomer’s Floral Hills Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family suggest memorial donations be made to Hillside Village of De Soto and Visiting Nurses Lawrence Kansas.
