Leah Ruth (Tate) Felker

Leah Ruth Felker, daughter of the late Lawrence and Lydia (McCall) Tate, was born on June 8, 1925 in Bendavis, Missouri and departed this life on Tuesday, April 12, 2011 in the St. John’s Regional Health Care Center in Springfield, Missouri, following a short illness. She was 85 years, 10 months and 4 days of age.
Leah grew up and attended school in Texas County and was united in marriage to Ardell Halliburton in 1943. One daughter was born to this union. Mr. Halliburton was killed in battle during World War II in January of 1945.

She later married Kenneth Howard Felker on August 4, 1946 in Mtn. Grove, Missouri. Three children were born to this union. They made their home in the Norwood area for many years where they raised their family. In the early 1970’s they became charter members of the Norwood Church of the Nazarene when it was organized. They enjoyed attending services with their family for several years. Before Kenneth’s death, he helped in the construction of the new church building in the spring of 1992, which is now Countryside Church of the Nazarene. He passed away on November 21, 1992.
Following her husband’s passing, Leah sold their farm in Norwood and moved to Springfield, Missouri to be near her daughters where she attended the Wesley United Methodist Church.
Leah enjoyed being outdoors, especially when gardening and taking care of her flowers. She and Kenneth took great pride in taking care of their home, lawn and farm.
Besides her parents and her husbands, she was preceded in death by an infant daughter: Donna Faye Felker in 1951; her son: Charles “Chuck” Felker on January 29, 1995; her daughter-in-law: Debra Jean (Cohun) Felker on January 2, 2008; and by eight brothers and sisters.
She is survived by two daughters: Carolyn Little and her husband, Jim, and Cindy Samford and her husband, Dave, all of Springfield, Missouri; one sister: Esther Bresler of Phoenix, Arizona; ten grandchildren: Diana Atagi of Lenexa, Kansas, Lori Mills and Ron Felker, both of Mtn. Grove, Tony Vienhage, Kory Samford, Kyle Samford, Cathi Manning, Becki Bryson and Penni Dillstrom, all of Springfield, Missouri and Vicki Meyer of Atlanta, Georgia; several step-grandchildren; fourteen great-grandchildren; and a host of other relatives, neighbors, and friends who will miss her very much.
The family wishes to thank Assisting Aging Parents, Inc., and her wonderful and loving caregivers, Bonnie Keeth and Denise Robinette.

Funeral Service:
Friday, April 15, 2:00 PM at the Countryside Church of the Nazarene in Norwood, Missouri.

Visitation:
Thursday, April 14th, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM in the Countryside Church.

Memorial Contributions:
Countryside Church of the Nazarene c/o the funeral home.