Grace Leila Kilgore

Grace Leila Kilgore, age 96, of Johnson, Kansas died Tuesday, August 26, 2014 at Stanton County Hospital in Johnson, Kansas.  She was born June 22, 1918 in Mulberry, Kansas, the daughter of Willard Wallace and Cora Grace (Deal) Lindsay.

Grace grew up in Thayer, Kansas and graduated from Thayer High School.  After graduation, Grace graduated from Pittsburg Teachers College.  She taught in a one-room school in Neosho and Wilson counties.  On May 7, 1943, she married Leon Kilgore in Joplin, Missouri.  In 1946, they moved to Johnson.  She taught school in Johnson, was the custodian of the Stanton County Courthouse, and worked at Clark’s Jack & Jill Grocery Store.  Grace was active at the Stanton County Senior Center, and enjoyed painting, singing, ceramics and crafts.  She was a great cook; especially her pies.  She was a member of the Fields Memorial Wesleyan Church, taught Sunday school, was in the women’s group, and did extensive missions work.

She is survived by her husband, Leon of their home; children, Lawrence Kilgore and wife Kim of New River, Arizona, Leila Hurlburt and husband Jerry of Johnson, Kansas, LaDonna Cheatham and husband Tony of McPherson, Kansas,  Leonal Kilgore and wife Joanna of Wichita, Kansas; brother, Eugene Lindsay of Houston, Texas; ten grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren. 

She is preceded in death by her parents, one sister, and five brothers. 

Funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM on Thursday, August 28, 2014 at the Fields Memorial Wesleyan Church in Johnson, Kansas with Reverend Kurt Rovenstine officiating.  Interment will follow at the Stanton County Cemetery in Johnson, Kansas.  Friends may call on Wednesday, August 27, 2014 at Garnand Funeral Home in Johnson from 2:00 PM until 8:00 PM with family present from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM.  Memorial contributions for missions may be given to the Fields Memorial Wesleyan Church in care of Garnand Funeral Home, PO Box 715, Johnson, Kansas 67855.