Obituaries

Betty B. Watters

Betty Bernice Watters, 89, of Independence, MO passed away on Tuesday, May 17, 2022. Betty was born to Benjamin Drew and Velma (Purdun) Clark in Cainesville, Missouri on November 11, 1932 during a snowstorm that left drifts as high as the fence posts. Velma always said Betty was actually born on the 7th, but the doctor couldn’t get through the roads until the 11th and for some unknown reason it was reported as the 11th on her birth certificate. Betty graduated high school in Bosworth, MO, then went on to work for Harzfeld’s department store in Kansas City, MO. She then met and married the love of her life, Leo Wright “Bud” Watters of Wakenda, MO in 1953, with two children born to this union: Dianne and Patricia. Betty was a busy lady and continued to work at various jobs after her marriage, from Banquet Foods in Carrollton, MO, to Sears Roebuck & Company in both retail and contract sales until the store closed, before finally retiring from the City of Independence Water Pollution Plant as an Executive Secretary for many years. Later in life Betty lived with her youngest daughter, Patricia and son-in-law, Michael in Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Wisconsin until health issues brought her back home to live at The Groves in Independence, MO, and close to her oldest daughter, Dianne and son-in-law, John. Betty is survived by her daughters, Dianne Lehman and Patricia Larson; granddaughters, Jennifer Larson and husband Sam Blake, Jessica (Larson) Newell and husband Jon, Julieanne (Larson) Dunlap and husband Adam; great-grandchildren, Adam Dunlap, Corbin Dunlap, Dominic Dunlap, Hunter Walters and Natalie Walters; and a niece, Sandra Neufeld Jensen Noe of the Springfield, MO area. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 32 years, Leo Watters; sisters, Ruth Clark and Irene Neufeld; son-in-law, Michael Eugene Larson; and parents, Benjamin and Velma Clark. A graveside service to honor Betty will be at 2:00 p.m., Monday, May 23, at Mound Grove Cemetery in Independence, MO. Online condolences may be left at www.speakschapel.com (Arrangements: Carson-Speaks Chapel 816-252-7900)

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Julianne Gordon

Julianne Gordon, 83, of Independence, Mo. passed away on Thursday, May 12, 2022 at NorthCare Hospice House in Kansas City, Mo. Funeral services will be on Friday, May 27, 2022 at 3 p.m. at Church of Christ-Temple Lot in Independence with visitation beginning at 2 p.m. Burial in Orient Cemetery in Harrisonville, Mo.

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Margaret Elizabeth Turley

Margaret Elizabeth Turley passed away peacefully at her home on Wednesday, May 18, 2022. She was 90 years old. A visitation will be held on Tuesday, May 24 from 6-8 p.m. at 18020 E. 39th St. S, Independence. Her funeral service will begin at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, May 25 with burial to follow at Floral Hills Cemetery in Raytown, Mo.

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Stephen Jay Ward

January 28, 1953 May 16, 2022 Stephen Jay Ward, 69, of Independence passed away Monday, May 16, 2022 surrounded by his family. Stephen was born on January 28, 1953 in Mexico, Mo.

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Bonny Anne McGraw Ward

Bonny Anne McGraw Ward, 39, passed away peacefully at home on April 29, 2022. She is survived by her son Jude, her mom Sue Akin, her dad Dan McGraw, and her brother Noah McGraw, all of Independence, MO. Bonny is also survived by her husband Tim Ward, many aunts, uncles, cousins and a stepmother, Carol McGraw. She had a countless number of friends she also considered her very close family. Bonny was born in Kansas City, MO on May 8, 1982. She attended Messiah Lutheran Day School, St. Mary’s High School and graduated in 2000 from Chrisman High School. Bonny was also a graduate and a beloved and inspiring instructor for many years at Independence College of Cosmetology.

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