Stephanie Michelle Kennemore, while surrounded by her family, passed away on February 19th, 2024. Memorial services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, March 2, 2024 at Royer’s New Salem Funeral Home, Independence, MO. The family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. until service time at the funeral home.

Stephanie was born to Marsha Griger on October 28, 1968 in Omaha, NE. Stephanie developed a passion for hard work, her family and developed a huge love of children at a very early age. Like many of us she had many chapters in her own book of life. From a food chain manager, trucking company manager, foster parent, frequent traveler and mover to all over the country, child development specialist and ultimately a loving daughter, sister, niece, mother and grandmother. Many lovingly called her “Big Mama,” as when you were around she was going to parent you. Her child or not!

Stephanie was passionate about sharing the love of our Lord with others. A loyal servant of God, Stephanie was dedicated to playing worship music, loving and feeding her friends and family, and building community wherever she went. Now that Stephanie has passed into the arms of our Lord, her physical life on earth is over but it is the beginning of an eternal and beautiful journey for her.

She is survived by her mother Marsha Griger (Carlson) her aunt and partner, Bobbye Carlson & Jerry VanSant, Sister Vicki Smith and family, Michaella Smith, Briana Black, Jerica Collier and 10 great nieces and nephews. Sister and brother-in-law Jenny & Jim Groh and family, Mia, Joslyn, and Cody Pappan, and Ayessa and Amavaeh Parker.  Brother and sister-in-law Ron & Laura Griger and family: Jimmy, Christopher, Brandon & Syera. Alexandria, Jackson, Willow, Lenora. Brother Michael Young and sister-in-law Amanda Sirian and family: Jaiden, Harrison, Sofia. Her son and daughter-in-law, Tray & Krystal Kennemore. Daughter AnnaLee Kennemore. Son and daughter-in-law Stephan & Hunter Kennemore. Daughter and son-in-law Maurika & Ricky O’Neal. Daughter, Inez Morgan. Daughter, Kayla Kennemore. Son and daughter-in-law Keyshay Kennemore & Kierah Morgan. Daughter and son-in-law Rosita & Damon McQueary. Daughter Moni Nelson. Daughter Kaitlyn Kennemore. Son Jake Kennemore and daughter Rachel Kennemore. Grandchildren: Charlie, Edna, Ellie, Evelyn, Joshua, Kamryn, Kingston, Leana, Mira, Perennial, Riley, Ronan, Ryder, and Sean.

Preceded in death by Great-Grandmother Lillie Morello, Grandmother Margeret Carlson, Uncle David Carlson, Nephew Jerome Collier and Nieces Nicole Smith and Lindsay Young.

John 11:25-26 “Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.”

Obituary submitted by the family.

Arrangements: Royer’s New Salem Funeral Home Independence, MO (816) 796-8600