Lela Belle Hammontree Withrow

Lela Belle Hammontree Withrow, 97, Nevada, Mo., passed from this life Saturday, Oct. 25, 2014, at Barone Alzheimer's Care Center, in Nevada. She was born on May 29, 1917, in Milo, Mo., to John William Bright and Vedder (Bishop) Bright. She was united in marriage to Robert William Hammontree on May 20, 1936, in Cedar County, Mo., and together the couple had four sons. He preceded her in death. Then on May 13, 1973, she married Clarence Elwood Withrow, in Miami, Okla. He also preceded her in death.

Lela was raised in the Milo and Montevallo areas, where she attended school. While married to Mr. Hammontree they lived in Harwood, Mo., in the early 1940s. The family later moved into the Nevada area where she worked for a time at Key Industries before beginning employment in the laundry department at the Nevada State Hospital, from which she retired. She was a long-time member of the First Baptist Church in Nevada. Her hobbies included playing bingo, quilting, fishing, working puzzles and camping. Lela was very pleased with the fact that both of her husbands served our country in the United States Armed Forces.

Survivors include four sons, Robert Frankie Hammontree (Mary Ellen), of Platt City, Mo., John Marvin Hammontree (Sharon Kay), of Overland Park, Kan., Donald William Hammontree (Marjorie Kay), of El Dorado Springs, Mo., and David Keith Hammontree (Sharon Lea), of Nevada; siblings, Ralph Elmo Bright, of Atkins, Iowa, James Bright, of Vinton, Iowa, Liddie Foust, of Centerville, Iowa, Jean Ophecheck, of Belle Plain, Iowa, and Bonnie Richards (Harold), of Cabool, Mo.; 10 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by her parents; five siblings (which included two infant sisters) along with brothers, Sam and Buck and sister, Sylvia; grandson, Matthew Wayne Hammontree; and granddaughter, Christina Hammontree.

Graveside services for Lela Belle Hammontree Withrow will be held at 10 a.m., Wednesday, Oct. 29, at Newton Burial Park, in Nevada. Friends may call to view and sign the register book now through visitation. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 28, at Ferry Funeral Home, in Nevada.

Contributions may be made in her memory to Barone Alzheimer's Care Center in care of Ferry Funeral Home.

View obituary and send condolences online at www.ferryfuneralhome.com.