Leona Wilson

Leona (Lea) Wilson was born on October 3, 1935 in Walterboro, South Carolina to Audrey (Nanny) Sanders and Edgar H. Simmons. Today, at sunset, September 23, 2018, God reached down and brought her home. She is preceded by her mother and brother, Edsell (Bubba) Simmons.

Lea was a devoted military wife for many years while raising her children practically by herself while her husband was shipped overseas by the U.S. Navy for 6-9 months at a time. During these times, one of her fondest memories was playing semi-pro softball, coaching softball teams, and winning the state championship in Newport Rhode Island. She also really enjoyed watching her son, Bill Chapman play football for the Green Bay Packers, Newport RI team where he was a defensive end and offensive tackle.

Lea and her family moved to Sedalia Missouri in 1974 when her husband retired from the military. During this time she dedicated her time through her prime years in raising her children and working hard on their hobby farm full of animals, chores, and crops.

As her children grew and left home, Lea liked giving back to her community. She gain interest in the CB radio and learned from her son, Bill, that there was a Ham Radio class at State Fair Community College. She took the class and obtain her Ham Radio Novice license and progressed all the way up to achieve her Advance Ham Radio license! She learned advance math and learn to copy Morse code at 20 words per minute which was quiet impressive due to there were not many women who were qualified to do that! Lea went on to teaching Ham Radio classes on Radio Theory at State Fair Community College. She used her Ham Radio skills to communicate with people around the world including Australia, New Zealand, and Japan. Also, with this licenses she actively participated in Sedalia Civil Defensive with disasters, Sedalia parades, weather, etc. for over 20+ years.

Lea also was a volunteer for Bothwell Hospice, until she was diagnosis with Breast Cancer. Lea fought and beat this cancer. Once she was able to, she volunteered at Open Door in Sedalia and for Compassus Hospice and was very active in both of these for the next 10 years until her health deprecated with kidney disease and blindness.

Lea remembered that Betty at Open Door was the ‘best boss ever’ and enjoyed Pat and all the staff members. She also had fond memories of working with Compassus staff members and her patients. Even with her deprecating health issues, she loved to crochet to which she made numerous ‘prayer shawls’ for people in need for a local church.

Lea was a beautiful loving mother, grandmother and great-mother who passed onto her children and family that they can do anything they set their mind to. Her kind spirit, strength, quick wit and love for adventure is something they will always remember about her!

Lea has 16 grandchildren and numerous great-grand-children including Casper Hocking who she is very proud of, serving with the U.S. Army over in Afghanistan.

Lea is survived by her children: Bill Chapman, Gloria Jackson, Gail Chapman, Dale Chapman, and Lela Wilson, step-son Wesley Wilson, and by Bobby, her husband of 53 years.

Lea is also survived by extended family who was tremendous help to her when she got sick. Melody Chapman, Grace Helvey, Carrie Withers, John Withers, Abby Withers, Morgan Withers, Justin Withers, Ashley Withers, John Robert Jackson, June and Steve Moore and AKA Spirit Child, Teresa Haley. Included in this is Kevin Haugen, Ed Hinton, Samantha, Leo and Angela Cheadle. Lea loved all of you dearly. Lea also loved her animals, Rocky, Duke, Suka, Midget, Bridgette, Katie, Sadie, Peanut and George.

Lea wants to thank her friends and children’s families who brought her joy, laughter and smiles during her journey on earth. Lea’s message to all is to find a good church to go to. She would like instead of sending flowers or plants, to donate to Open Door Benevolent Ministries or to the Animal Shelter in Sedalia.

Memorial services will be held at Rea Funeral Chapel, Sedalia, MO on Thursday, September 27, 2018 at 7:00 pm. There will be no visitation. Her services will be a remembrance and her and ashes will be spread in the Arizona Sedona Lands that she thought was one of the most beautiful places she had ever seen.

Leona (Lea) Wilson and her family would also like to thank all the doctors and staff at Bothwell Hospital, Clinton Hospital, especially Dr. Snell of Truman Lake Manor Nursing Facility and their staff but especially her extended family for taking good care of her while she was sick.