Mattie McKimmey's Obituary
Mattie Alma McKimmey, daughter of Frank and Helena W. Hankammer Picolet, was born October 27, 1912, near Alma, Kansas. She departed this life Sunday, August 12, 2007, in Christian Health Care North, in Lebanon, Missouri, at the age of ninety-four years, nine months, and fifteen days. On November 29, 1940, she was united in marriage to Raymond H. McKimmey, and to this union seven children were born. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Raymond, on October 31, 1977; a daughter, Virginia Kelso; a son, Raymond McKimmey, Jr.; two grandsons; a great-grandson; and nine brothers and sisters. Mattie is survived by two sons, Bruce McKimmey, of St. Petersburg, Florida, and Larry McKimmey, of Moab, Utah; three daughters, Juneva Lusk, of St. Louis, Missouri, Mava Zilka, of Lockport, Illinois, and Raylene Smith, of Lebanon, Missouri; fifteen grandchildren; thirty-six great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; a sister, Josie Giles, of Falls City, Nebraska; several nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other relatives and friends. She was raised with her ten brothers and sisters in the Council Grove, Kansas area. During the depression, she held several jobs at one time, including being a clothing and shoe model, and was often allowed to keep what she modeled. She was an excellent ballroom dancer and performed with the Big Bands on the weekends. It was through their mutual love of music that she met and married her husband, Raymond. They made their home in Kansas and in California before building their dream home in the Ozarks, near Long Lane, Missouri, in the late 1950’s. They later sold their ranch and moved to Waco, Texas. After Raymond’s passing in 1977, Mattie made her home in Lebanon, Missouri, where she worked at the Hughes Senior Center preparing food for the Meals-on-Wheels program. She enjoyed going to dances and activities at the Hughes Center and was a member of the Country Cousins Kitchen Band. In her spare time she enjoyed making tie quilts, sewing, gardening, and going to garage sales. Her family was very important to her and she especially enjoyed visiting with her children and grandchildren. Mattie was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother, sister, and aunt, and was a caring neighbor and friend. She greatly loved flowers, so next time you stop to smell her favorite, roses or lilacs, think of Mattie. Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, August 16, 2007, in the Holman-Howe Funeral Home, Lebanon. Burial will be in the Lebanon Cemetery. Visitation will be held Wednesday evening from 7 - 8:30 p.m. under the direction of Holman-Howe Funeral Homne of Lebanon.
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