Vada Catherine Messick Tinsley

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” — Joshia 1:9

Vada Catherine Messick Tinsley, 87, passed away on Friday, July 20, 2018, in Nevada. She was born on Aug. 14, 1930, in Cedar County, Mo., the daughter of Onis and Lena Kirkpatrick Messick. She spent her childhood going to Johnson School and attending Herriman Chapel Church. Vada graduated in 1948 from El Dorado Springs High School. She attended college in Bolivar, Mo., and later taught in a one-room school house in Cedar Springs.

Vada married Charles Tinsley on July 22, 1950. To this union three children were born: Beverly, James and Myra. Vada worked at the International Shoe Factory as an inspector and later retired from Cedar County Memorial Hospital from Food Services.

Vada was active in the First Christian Church in El Dorado Springs where she enjoyed Sunday School and the Christian Woman’s meetings. She was a member of the Calico Clippers Quilting Guild, Twilight Garden Club, Red Cross Blood Drive volunteer and was a member of the Red Hat Society. She enjoyed sewing, making quilts for her children and grandchildren, acrylic painting and playing pitch. She was an avid gardener, taking pride in her African Violets and house plants. Her biggest love was her grandchildren.

Vada was preceded in death by her husband Charles; one daughter, Beverly Brower; her parents, Onis and Lena Messick; one sister, Ruby Messick; and two brothers, Ray and Al Messick.

She is survived by one son, James Tinsley and wife, JoAnn, of St. Ann, Mo.; one daughter Myra Bond and husband, Jeff, of Nevada; son-in-law, Bill Brower of El Dorado Springs, Mo.; two sisters, Pearl Haynes and husband, Roy, of Wichita, Kan., and Louise Conway of Mexico, Mo.; two sisters-in-law, Aletta Messick of Memphis, Tenn., and Mary Lou Messick of Peachtree City, Ga.; grandchildren, Amy, David, Jared, Martin, Andrea, Brady, Hannah and Halie; as well as several great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Funeral services were held Tuesday, July 24, 2018, at the First Christian Church in El Dorado Springs, Mo., with burial in the El Dorado Springs City Cemetery. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of the Sheldon Funeral Home, El Dorado Springs.