JoAnn (Weber) Kennon

JoAnn (Weber) Kennon, 85, died peacefully on Oct. 3, at the John Knox Village Hospice House, Lee’s Summit, Mo. Her daughters, Beth and Leslie, along with the hospice and care center staff kept her surrounded with music, flowers, stories and lots of hand-holding. We will celebrate her life with a memorial service at 11 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 21, at the John Knox Village Courtyard Community Center, Lee’s Summit, Mo. The family will receive friends beginning at 10 a.m. and in typical JoAnn fashion, refreshments will be served. Private burial was at Floral Hills Memorial Gardens, Raytown, Mo. Her daughters suggest contributions to the Village Church 1001 NW Chipman Rd, #221, Lee’s Summit, MO 64081 or to the family for placement of a memorial garden bench.

JoAnn was born Oct. 15, 1931, in rural Vernon County, Mo. She was raised on a farm in the small community of Ellis near Moundville. JoAnn’s love of flowers began on the farm where she also learned gardening, cooking and sewing skills which she used to bless others throughout her life. JoAnn excelled in school, found enjoyment in the local 4-H clubs, set high goals and developed a lifelong passion for learning.

JoAnn graduated salutatorian from Nevada High School in 1949 and received the Nevada Civic and Charitable Foundations annual scholarship. She was very proud of her hometown’s support of her academic goals. In 1953, she graduated with honors from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. While at MU, JoAnn was a member of the Independent Women’s Organization and an officer in Phi Chi Theta business fraternity. She began a career in accounting, employed by the Farm and Home Savings Association in San Antonio, Texas. While in San Antonio, JoAnn was president of Mu Theta chapter of Beta Sigma Phi International Sorority. Doing for others was not only an aim but a way of life for this group of young women. JoAnn continued her accounting career at AT&T and Stine and McClure Funeral Home in Kansas City. After taking time off to raise her family and volunteer in a myriad of ways in her community, JoAnn finished her career as an accounting supervisor for the City of Kansas City, retiring in 1991.

JoAnn married Gene Kennon on Nov. 10, 1962. They moved to the Raytown area to raise their family, instilling in their daughters the values of citizenship, community pride and personal responsibility. Gene and JoAnn were longtime members of Blue Ridge Blvd UMC, but most recently, JoAnn was a member of the Village Church in John Knox Village. Over the years, JoAnn had a passion for serving others at her church, PTA, Girl Scouts, Job’s Daughters and Lion’s Club events and selflessly gave of herself in service to the interests of her family.

JoAnn had a love of flowers, food, fun and fellowship. She enjoyed tending her roses and backyard vegetable garden. She spent countless hours sewing clothing and gifts for her family and friends. She loved cooking, baking and providing hospitality to those who gathered in her home. Three bright spots in JoAnn’s life were her grandchildren: Grace, 9; Hannah, 12; and Caleb, 14. She rejoiced in their academic, musical, theatrical, athletic and spiritual pursuits. She always encouraged them to read, broaden their horizons and develop new interests. She loved watching them grow up around her. Their visits brought her joy!

JoAnn was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, Eugene Leslie Kennon; her parents, Theodore Franklin and Helen Elizabeth (Hammond) Weber; and her sister, Wanda Coleman. Survivors include brother and sister-in-law, Harry and Donna Weber, of Joplin; brother, Dale Weber, of Springfield, Mo.; daughter, Elizabeth Ellen Kennon and her partner, Shellee Botts, of Kansas City; daughter, Leslie Leigh Johnson and her husband, Johnny Lee Johnson, of Overland Park, Kan.; three grandchildren, Caleb, Hannah and Grace Johnson, of Overland Park, Kan.; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.