Mrs. Lucinda Rockey

Lucinda Marie Riley Rockey, known as Marie, passed away at age 97 on Saturday, April 23, 2011. She was born January 8, 1914 to Asa Labin and Marguerite Lena (Utterback) Riley. The doctor rode horse back through deep snow to deliver her, the youngest of three, at the family farm in Ralls County, MO. She attended a country school and Laddonia High School. After graduation, she earned a teaching certificate and taught all grades at Elm Bend country school. On August 17, 1935, she married Earl Bryant Rockey. They made their first home in Mexico, MO. Prior to starting a family, Marie ran the catalog office of the Ward’s store in Mexico, MO. Their first child, Patricia Ann, was born on Mother’s Day, May 11, 1941. After moving to Kansas City, MO, their son Donald Earl was born on December 23, 1944. In 1948, they moved to Merriam, KS where Marie was active in the PTA, often served as room mother for her children’s classes and attended area Baptist churches. In 1962, the family moved to Mission, KS where she resided for more than 40 years. With children nearly grown, Marie worked at the Jones Store in Prairie Village. Retiring in 1978, Marie and Earl built a cabin near Pikes Peak, where they escaped hot KC summers. Husband Earl became ill in the 1980’s prior to passing away in 1997. Marie was also preceded in death by her parents, son, brother Robert, sister Lois, and all but one of her brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law. Survivors include daughter Patricia Hall of Overland Park; daughter-in-law Marcelina Rockey of Altadena, CA; grandson Steven Hall and wife Sara, great-granddaughter Stephanie Hall, and great-grandson Shane Hall, all of Chandler, AZ; sister-in-law Hazel Riley of Mexico, MO, and numerous nieces and nephews. A funeral service will be held at D.W. Newcomer’s Sons Johnson County Chapel, 11200 Metcalf Ave, Overland Park, KS, 66210, on Saturday, April 30, 2011 at 1:30 p.m. A visitation will be held an hour prior. Fond memories and condolences can be left at johnsoncountychapel.com. The family suggests memorial contributions to Kansas City Hospice House 12000 Wornall Rd, Kansas City, MO, 64145.

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