Lois Elinor Waddell

Lois Elinor Waddell (Gabbert) of Louisiana, Missouri, passed away peacefully in the early morning on Thursday, March 23, 2023 surrounded by her family. Elinor was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, J.B. Waddell Jr., her brother, Paul Gabbert, and her youngest son, Ted Waddell. She will be lovingly remembered by her surviving siblings, Jim Gabbert and Carol Grantham; her children, Diane Boyd, Jim Waddell, and daughter-in-law Rena Waddell (Ted); her grandchildren, Michelle Boyd Danback, Cade Waddell, Leah Waddell and husband Dalton Channell; one great-grandchild, Alyssa Danback; and various nieces, nephews, friends, and church family. Elinor was born on December 6, 1930 in Grandview, Missouri to Chester and Lois Gabbert. She graduated in May of 1948 from Bowling Green, Missouri and went on to the Kirksville Teachers College that summer. After this, she began teaching at the Bryson School House in Pike County, Missouri in the fall of 1948 at only 17 years old. During this time, her father passed away and her remaining family moved to a dairy farm in Baldwin, Kansas. Elinor decided to board with a family in the school district where she worked, the Waddells. During this time, she met James Briscoe (J.B.) Waddell, and his sisters Katherine, Jane, and Betty Ann. She later married J.B. and moved with him to a home on their family farm where they lived until 2007. In 2007, Elinor and J.B. built a home with her youngest son Ted, his wife Rena, and their 2 children Cade and Leah where she lived for the rest of her days. Elinor loved cooking for her family, spending time in her garden, and playing games with her girlfriends. She was a devout Christian and an active member of her church. Elinor didn’t know a stranger, and always encouraged all of her grandchildren’s friends to refer to her as simply “Grandma.” To know Elinor was to love Elinor and she was utterly devoted to her friends and family. Services in memory of Elinor will be held on Saturday, April 1, 2023 at the Grassy Creek Baptist Church. Visitation will be from 11:00 A.M. until time of Memorial Service at 1:00 P.M. with Pastor Brook Kurth officiating. There will also be a luncheon to follow. Memorials may be made to Community Loving Care Hospice or the Grassy Creek Baptist Church. Cremation rites are being provided by the Collier Funeral Home in Louisiana, MO.

Lois Elinor Waddell

December 6, 1930 - March 23, 2023