Matilda Jeffries' Obituary
Matilda Elizabeth Jeffries, daughter of Elmer Harry and Cora May Hofstetter Bayne, was born January 12, 1917, near Latham, Missouri. She departed this life Tuesday, December 30, 2008, in Good Shepherd Care Center, Versailles, Missouri, at the age of ninety-one years, eleven months and eighteen days. On September 19, 1937, in Camdenton, Missouri, she was united in marriage to Leland Roosevelt Jeffries and to this union seven children were born. Together they shared thirty years of marriage until his passing on June 20, 1968. She was also preceded in death by her parents; three sisters, Letha Barbour, Ella Mae Barnett and Helen Schlup; a brother, Wesley Bayne; and a son-in-law, K.C. Underwood. Survivors include seven children, Joyce Huffman and husband Richard of Raymore, Missouri, Gary Jeffries of Linn Creek, Missouri, Valonia Thiemann and husband Dean of Versailles, Missouri, Beverly Underwood of North Augusta, South Carolina, Mike Jeffries and wife Chalice of Warrensburg, Missouri, Ken Jeffries and wife Lisa of Ozark, Missouri and Leann Esterline and husband Steve of Battlefield, Missouri; eleven grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; two sisters, Mattie Lachner and husband Joe of Grand Junction, Colorado and Lula Rohrbach and husband Dean of California, Missouri; a brother, Noel Bayne and wife Mary of Jefferson City, Missouri; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. Matilda was raised in Latham, Missouri, and graduated from Latham High School. After graduation, she moved to the Lake of the Ozarks and began working for Pla-Port Resort. It was there that she met her husband, Leland. She had worked as a cook for Osage Beach Elementary for many years. In her 50’s, she attended Lincoln University and received an Associates Degree and became the Director of the Camden County Head Start. She made a profession of faith in Christ and was a member of Harper Chapel United Methodist Church in Osage Beach where she sang in the choir, operated the nursery, worked with Bible School and served as Sunday School Superintendent. She was always community minded and volunteered for LAMB House and Lake Regional Hospital for many years. She was a member of the Lake Regional Hospital Auxiliary, United Methodist Women and earlier in life involved with the P.T.A. and leader of Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts. In her spare time she enjoyed fishing and gardening. Her family was most important to her and she enjoyed spending time with them, especially her grandchildren. Matilda was a loving mother, grandmother, sister and aunt and was a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate her life and her accomplishments and will treasure the memories she created for her family and friends. Services will be held at 1:30 pm on Saturday January 3, 2009 at the Harper Chapel United Methodist Church. Burial will be in the Conway Cemetery. Visitation will begin at noon until time of service under the direction of the Allee-Holman-Howe Funeral Home. Return to top
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