Mary Josephine LeAn

Mary Josephine LeAn died May 18, 2009, at her home in Humansville at the age of 80 years and eleven months. She was born on June 19, 1928 in Wewoka, Oklahoma and was one of seven children born to Beulah and Marshall Houston. Jo was an active member of the First Baptist Church in Humansville and at one time was a Sunday School Teacher. She was also a wonderful housewife and gave birth to four girls, Linda, Sharon, Wanda and Brenda. Jo married Roland LeAn of Humansville in November 1963 and has spent 46 years by his side. Jo and Roland, known as nana and papa to all who love them lived a happy fulfilling life as partners. Their shared hobbies included numerous fishing trips with family and friends, long evenings playing cards, Sunday dinner with the family, road trips to softball games, hours spent searching for and selling antiques, and the evening ride around town before settling into bed. Activities enjoyed most by Nana in her spare time included the everyday task of crossword and word search books, and the seasonal canning of green beans, tomatoes and her special fried corn. The afternoon snack along with her many cans of Coca-cola was a must and her chicken livers and bacon were her most often requests from son-in-law Kenny. She spent hours in the kitchen baking her well liked pineapple and cherry pies, along with her strawberries and homemade crust. There is a list of memories that tell what kind of a person Jo was, but the ones that remain the most mentioned are of her popularity with the children for her Freedent gum always placed deep in her purse and with her love and commitment to her Thursday trips to the beauty salon. Whatever happened it was a known fact that no one was to touch her hair! Nana touched the lives of many people with her gracious smile and positive attitude. She was always full of advice and encouragement never afraid to tell her true feelings. She was a true role model to her children, grandchildren and her friends. It has been the number one request by many children for years to get to go to nana and papa s house. She was a woman who would do anything for anybody if she could. She was well respected and will be greatly missed. Mary is survived by her husband, Roland, of the home; four daughters, Linda and husband Jerry Routh of Humansville, Sharon and husband Kenny Taylor of Arkansas City, Kansas , Wanda Rains of Humansville, and Brenda Price of Humansville; two step sons, Bill LeAn and wife Jo, and Darrell LeAn and wife Donna, both of Humansville; two sisters, Lillian Rima of Nevada and Midge Turner of Shawnee Mission, Kansas; two brothers, Roy Houston of Waukesha, Wisconsin, and Bill Houston of Osceola; two aunts, Dorothy Janssen of Humansville and Fay Gillespie of Kansas City; 19 grand children, 39 great-grand children, and 10 great-great-grandchildren. Mary was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Marshall Houston, Jr. and Charles Houston, and two great-grandchildren, Cali and Canyun Smith. Funeral services will be at 2:00 PM Thursday, May 21, 2009 at Murray Funeral Home, Humansville. Interment will be in Humansville Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday from 7:00 to 8:00 PM. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society. Online condolences may be made at www.murrayfuneralhomes.com. PDF Printable Version

Mary Josephine LeAn

June 19, 1928 - May 18, 2009