It is with sorrow and much love that we mourn the peaceful passing of Leta (DeHoff) Huntsucker Cornelius on February 11, 2025. She was 97 years old.
She was a lifelong resident of Independence, Missouri living independently until early January. Her tireless energy knew no bounds. She was hard working, determined and possessed an unwavering strong-will. She was personable, friendly and never met a stranger she didn’t treat like a friend. We find comfort in knowing that her legacy lives on through her love and the memories we will forever cherish.
Leta was born September 7, 1927, the fourth child of Jesse and Fred DeHoff, Sr. When she was 7 years old, her father moved the family to a dairy farm near Atherton, Missouri. She grew up with two brothers and two sisters. Leta attended Peacedale, a nearby one-room country school. It was there that she formed lifelong memories, as well as lifelong friends.
After attending Halls Memorial High School in Buckner, Leta fell in love and married David Huntsucker of Sibley. This union would soon produce two daughters. In 1950 the family built a Cape Cod style house on Blue Mills Road. Being a stay-at-home housewife, Leta canned, made her girl’s school lunches, and always a home-made supper prepared from scratch. She worked in P.T.A., church activities at Six Mile Church and was a skilled seamstress, making clothes for her daughters, including costumes for their dance recitals.
In 1958, she began working as the cafeteria manager at Blue Hills Elementary School. For years, every student who ever came through her line remembered those delicious meals. After her husband David passed away, and being true to her spirited nature, she continued to maintain her home tending to every aspect of the house and garden. Ending her career at the cafeteria, she began another chapter of her life, becoming a server at Stephenson’s Apple Farm Restaurant serving in that position for the next 20 years.
It was there that she met Cliff Cornelius whom she married in 1996, soon moving to a home on 36th Terrace in Independence. Leta continued her busy lifestyle, cooking, hosting get-togethers, and traveling. She loved attending sports events, especially high school basketball. In spite Cliff’s passing, she continued to live independently. Never giving into the sands of time, she was still driving until she was 96 years old.
Leta is survived by her two daughters – Donna Thrapp (Steve) Fort Collins, CO; Patsy Turner (Fred) Independence, MO; five grandchildren – Curt Thrapp (Jennifer) Eugene, OR; David Thrapp (Pamela) Eden Prairie, MN; Julia Thrapp Wilcox (Michael) Excelsior, MN; Roman Turner (Michelle) Kansas City, MO; Andrew Turner (Julianna) Dallas, TX; six great-grandchildren – William Thrapp, Mia and Charlotte Wilcox, Sara Thrapp, Avery and Owen Turner; and her beloved niece, Beverly Mohart, Independence, MO.
A Celebration of Life honoring Leta will be held on Friday, February 28 at 11:00 a.m. at Sycamore Hills Baptist Church, 15200 East 39th Street S., Independence, MO. Please make memorial contributions to Sycamore Hills Church in memory of Leta Huntsucker Cornelius.
Obituary submitted by the family.
Arrangements: Royer’s New Salem Funeral Home ~ Independence, MO (816) 796-8600