Nelda Pike

Nelda Pike, 84, of Butler, Mo., passed away Nov. 25, 2015, at Crown Care Center, in Harrisonville, Mo., surrounded by her family.

Nelda was born June 15, 1931, in Butler, daughter of Harvey and Cecilia (Steffen) Carroll. She was raised on a farm south of Butler, attended a rural elementary school and graduated from Butler High School. Nelda was crowned Fair Butler and Barn Warming Queen in 1949, and was a drum majorette and twirler, twirling fire as well as giving free lessons to younger aspiring twirlers. She was involved in many activities to include serving as a class officer as well as participating in many plays and clubs. While in high school, she met her future husband, Wesley Pike, and they were married in 1949, until his death in 2013.

Through the years, Nelda worked for Stanley Gray Motors and worked as a food demonstrator in several area wholesale clubs and grocery stores. In later years she took great pride in serving as a volunteer with the Bates County Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, where she enjoyed her role as a manager and buyer for the gift shop, in addition to many other hospital and auxiliary activities. She was honored for her service when the auxiliary members voted her the Auxiliary Volunteer of the Year award in 2006. In 1960, she joined the Butler Home Improvement Club and remained an active member until her passing.

Nelda was well known for her cooking and baking. She had the ability to adapt favorite recipes to sugar-free versions and create popular dishes, which no one can duplicate. She enjoyed crafts, often painting Wesley's wood creations using folk art styling. Other activities she enjoyed included playing bingo and cards. Her family will always remember her ability as a seamstress. Nelda also loved spending time with her family.

Nelda was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Wesley; a brother, Daniel Carroll; and her son, Representative Randy W. Pike. She is survived by two daughters, Evonne Matthews and Janet Robinson; one daughter-in-law, Representative Patricia Pike; one son-in-law, Dr. Fran Matthews; six grandchildren, Dillion Pike (Channing), Dr. Michelle Pike, Patrick Matthews (Charlotte), Allison Allen (Bobby), Amanda Acree (Daniel), and Harley Robinson (friend Kenna Medlen); five great-granddaughters, Isabella Bo and Josephine Harper Pike, Elaina and Elsie Acree, and Evangeline Matthews; and one stepgreat-grandson, Chandler Bradley.

Funeral services were held at 2 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 29, at Mullinax Funeral Home, in Butler, with Pastor Ron Dunlap officiating. There is no visitation. Interment followed in Oak Hill Cemetery in Butler. Contributions in memory of Nelda are suggested to the Representative Randy W. Pike Memorial Scholarship. Messages of condolence for the family may be left at www.mullinaxfuneralhome.com.