Thelma Lucille Cotter, Lake Lafayette, MO passed away April 13, 2019 at Kansas City Hospice House, Kansas City, MO. Thelma was born on July 16, 1928 to Robert and Lucille Eagleson. On April 17, 1948, she was united in marriage to James Cotter and together celebrated 68 years of love, bliss and a little bickering where needed. James preceded her in death on December 11, 2016 and will now be able to celebrate their upcoming anniversary together again. Thelma had two children, a son Dennis was born in March of 1949 and 5 years later, a daughter, Terry was born in October 1954.
Over the years, Thelma worked in the retail business, including Browning Mercantile, TradeX, a Donut Shop and The Little Brown Jug. While those were all paying jobs, her greatest joy and accomplishments came off of the clock. Thelma was a stay at home wife and grandma for many years. During that time, not only did she take care of her family, but she was also a long time member of the Lake Lafayette Landowners Committee and played a pivotal part in their community becoming a city. She took it upon herself (and loved) planning yearly Easter, Halloween and Christmas parties for the children and families who resided in Lake Lafayette. She also took time to make cookies and candies at Christmas time to take to the Senior Center or the nurses and doctors who had taken care of her in past battles with colon cancer and chronic leukemia.
Last year, Thelma celebrated her 90th birthday surrounded by family and friends. She enjoyed many things during her lifetime: Saturday night dancing, playing cards and games, fishing, crafting for craft fairs, cooking (who can say TACOS) and baking, mowing the lawn, storytelling (boy could she tell the best stories), spending time with her great grandchildren and most recently watching her grandson, Jake, race at Central Missouri Speedway. Yes, at 90 years old, she was sitting in the stands in the heat of July to cheer him on!
Thelma is survived by son Dennis (Judy), Columbia, MO; daughter Terry Rathbone, Odessa, MO; Granddaughters Melissa Cotter, Broken Arrow, OK, Vanessa (Jake) Richards, Lansing, KS; Staci (Jason) Close, Wilmington, OH; Grandson Danny (Kelley) Logan, Higginsville, MO and Great-Grandchildren Brandon and Derek Bradshaw; Aubrey and Trey Blankinship; Madison and Brady Close; Landen, Jace and Tucker Logan..
She was preceded in death by her mother and father; husband James; sister Freida Bryson; brothers Garnett, Robert “Toby” and Jim Eagleson and Great-Granddaughter Nicole Bradshaw.
Visitation will be held at Floral Hills Funeral Home, KCMO on Wednesday, April 17th at 11am with a short service following at 12 pm. There will be no graveside services. Honorary pallbearers are Danny Logan, Jake Richards, Jason Close, Mitch Billingsley, Ronnie Catts and Sam DiGiovanni. Burial will be at Floral Hills East Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions are welcome to the Kansas City Hospice House.
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