On November 10th, 2023 Grace Elizabeth White our beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother and sister got her wings and went to walk with the angels. She passed away peacefully in her sleep at home with family, surrounded by loved ones. She was 94 years old.
In her early years she was a very hardworking entrepreneur. She was a realtor and broker with her own company “Beardsley Reality”. She also worked for Bendix, Lake City, owned a liquor store “Gracie B’s Liquor”, she later retired from Folgers. After retirement she was a co-owner of our family restaurant “Clem’s Drive Inn”.
During retirement, she spent every winter in Rio Grand Valley, Texas for about 20 years where she was dancing in paradise. Line dancing and the west coast swing being her favorites. She was also an active member in the Red Hat Society.
In her later years she enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren making Christmas cookies, fudge, peanut brittle, and pumpkin bread. As well as many game nights, family dinners, and Chiefs parties.
Through her whole life she led by example, there was never a job too large or too small that she would not tackle. And there was always room for a good time with family and friends. Grace was a loving, strong, determined and fiercely independent woman. We will miss her every day.
Grace was predeceased by her parents Ralph Phillips and Eva Smith-Phillips, her son Frankie Charles Stewart, her great granddaughter Kaelyn Mae Williams, her brothers Jack Phillips, Bob Phillips, Ralph Phillips, and her sisters Helen Phillips, Lucy Hutchinson, Pearl Helsper, and Lavetta Squires.
Grace is survived by her sister Inez Larsen, her son Brett Gilbert and his wife Connie Gilbert, her son Gary Stewart. Her grandchildren Alexandra Murray, Michael Gilbert, Angelique Gilbert, Allyssa Gilbert, Sara Owens, and Melissa Stewart. Her great grandchildren Ayden Flynn, Alec Flynn, Michaelangelo Gilbert, Integra Stewart, Mordecai Stewart, Augusta Stewart, Maleah Stewart, Aniyah Owens, and Jakobi Owens. As well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Visitation and services will be held at Royer Funeral Home 1823 N Blue Mills Rd Independence, MO 64058 on Thursday, November 16th, 2023. Visitation from 9:00-11:00am, service at 11:00am.
The burial will be held at Floral Hills Funeral Home 7000 Blue Ridge Blvd Raytown, MO at 12:00pm.
Repast lunch will be held at Angel’s house 5135 SW Surf Scooter St Lee’s Summit, MO 64082.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Muscular Dystrophy Association, an organization the family feels strongly about. Donations can be made directly to the associate or given to the family to donate on your behalf.
Obituary submitted by the family.
Arrangements: Royer’s New Salem Funeral Home, Independence, MO 816-796-8600