Helen Louise Brownlee Lunsford
Helen Louise Brownlee Lunsford, age 93, of Claycomo, MO, passed away March 2, 2017, at her home. Helen Louise Brownlee was born Feb. 19, 1924, in Hamilton, the only child of Daisy Belle (Webster) and Mason French Brownlee.
She graduated from Hamilton High School in 1941, and soon moved to Kansas City, where she worked at Montgomery Ward until she married Delbert L. Lunsford on May 8, 1944. They lived in Texas and California while he served in the U.S. Army. She was a civilian employee on the bases until his discharge in Oct. 1945. They returned to Hamilton in late 1945 and began farming in Caldwell County. In 1948, they moved to Kansas City, North, where they farmed and she was a homemaker. They moved to Claycomo in 1956. She was baptized May 1, 1955 at Winnwood Baptist Church and was an active member. Helen researched the genealogy of Brownlee, Webster, Lunsford and McBride families, and shared the history with families at reunions every summer.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, Delbert L. Lunsford, in Aug. 2011.
Helen is survived by four children, Patricia L. Rogers (John), Richard L. Lunsford (Kay), Michael L. Lunsford, and Elisabeth (Betsy) L. Ferguson (Raymond); six grandchildren; Cassandra Rogers (Lisa Higgins), Jeffrey Rogers (Katy), Nicole Branstetter (David), Patrick Lunsford (Erin), Erin and Jordan Ferguson; six great-grandchildren, Ashlynne, Brian and Carter Branstetter, Mary Helen and Mason Rogers, Avery Lunsford, Killian Ferguson; and one great great-grandson, Rory Branstetter.
Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, March 6, at Winnwood Baptist Church in Kansas City. A visitation will be held from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m., one hour prior to the service. A graveside service will follow at 12:30 p.m. at Highland Cemetery in Hamilton. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Winnwood Baptist Church. Arrangements are under the direction of McGilley Antioch Chapel, 3325 NE Vivion Rd., Kansas City, MO 64119, www.mcgilleyantiochchapel.com.
(paid obituary)
