Lilburn Cover

Lilburn was born on Nov 1, 1931 in Ash Flat, AR, the daughter of Floyd Eleiner and Lois Nettie (Armstrong) Massey. She was preceded in death by her parents, a sister Flavel McBride Mears and four brothers, Lowell, Orvis, Gerald and Bud Massey.  She is survived by a daughter Sondra (Merrill Gordon) Collis;  a son Mark (Becky) Collis; two grandsons Landon (Angelique) Collis, Justin (Kristin) Collis and a great grandson Justin Boyd Jr., a brother Boyd (Opal) Massey and many beloved nieces & nephews.  Lil greatly enjoyed her family and especially enjoyed her two grandsons, Landon and Justin, as they were growing up, escorting them around the city, introducing them to her various interests in music and the arts.  Lil attributed her love of music to her Grandfather Armstrong, who was a music teacher.  She greatly enjoyed all music genres, and was quite musical throughout her life time. At age 17, Lil received the honor of being selected the first “Miss City Beautiful” of her home town, West Plains, MO.  Lil earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Art and Photography at CMSU and worked on her Master’s of Fine Arts at the Institute of Allenda, San Miguel, Mexico.  She also received her degree in Library Science -Media.  Lil was a 50 year member of Friends of the Art at the Nelson-Adkins Gallery, where she enjoyed numerous art-related activities and trips.  She was a charter member of the Raytown Community Choir and the Raytown Arts Council.  She was member of the Raytown Retired Teachers Association and the 24-Hour Fitness Club, where she enjoyed going to lunch with her water aerobics group.  Lil was a avid reader from an early age.  She read numerous books from Trails West Branch library and was the librarian at Northeast Middle School the last four years of her educational career. She was life-long student of the bible with current membership at the Blue River Church of Christ Lakewood, Lee’s Summit, MO where she enjoyed many long time and new friendships.  A memorial service is planned for Saturday, July 23 at 11:00 am at Blue River Church of Christ, 221 N.E. Woods Chapel, Lee’s Summit, MO.

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