Mary Lou Davis (Rickard)

Mary Lou Davis (Rickard) was born on May 22, 1931 in Desloge, Missouri to Clyde and Lula Mae Edmonds. She grew up in Desloge and graduated from Desloge High School. She completed a teaching degree at the Flat River Junior College and taught elementary school for several years.

Mary Lou was married to Vernon Darrell Rickard on December 12, 1954 in Flat River Missouri. Mary had three children Wayne (Sherry Jo), Keith (Janet) and Laura Davis (John). She also had five grandchildren. Brian Rickard (Allie), Tyler Rickard (Courtney), Barry Rickard (Christina), Scott Davis and Sarah Workman (Austin). Before her passing she was blessed with one great grandchild, Asher Foxe Rickard.

Mary Lou also had three younger sisters Francis Hasenbeck (Bill), Jane Kairuz (Bart), and Bonnie Edmonds.

During her lifetime Mary Lou served as a pastor's wife alongside Darrell in churches across Kansas City including Central Baptist Church, Trinity Baptist Church, Beverly Hills Baptist Church, The Associated Baptist Churches Downtown, Covenant Baptist Church and lastly, 1st Baptist Church Lee's Summit. In addition to these full time endeavors of service she also worked full time for the Jenkins Music Company, Hammond Organ Studios and United Missouri Bank until her retirement.

After Darrell died in 2007 she married Leland Eugene Davis on December 30, 2012. He survives of the home. With this marriage Mary Lou added to her family Leland's children including Linda Henks (Rick), and Kathy Smith (Dwaine). This extended family afforded Mary Lou six additional grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren.

Mary Lou was multi-talented in that she could play the piano and the organ and did so in all the churches she served. She taught Sunday School, counseled young married couples, led youth choirs, and served food and provided clothing to the homeless. She was also an excellent cook and baker. In her retirement she perfected her talents as a cake maker and no family celebration was complete without one of her special creations. She also baked professional wedding cakes for anyone who would ask. Many people came to know her as "The Cake Lady".

In her retirement years she attended the First Baptist Church of Raytown and served in the Hope Network organizing the clothing pantry. Mary Lou took seriously her calling to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and she loved the seemingly unlovable. She was a true servant of Christ.

Mary Lou died on December 20, 2018 following a very brief battle with an aggressive form of cancer.

Funeral Services will be held December 27th at the Connection Point Church, 10500 E. 350 Hwy (Formerly First Baptist Church of Raytown) at 10 am. Visitation with family will be held December 26th from 6-8 pm at the church. Memorial Contributions may be made to the Hope Network at Connection Point Church. Arrangements: D.W. Newcomers at Floral Hills Cemetery, 7000 Blue Ridge Blvd Kansas City, Missouri.