Phyllis Lea (Asbell) Stogsdill

Our beloved Phyllis Lea (Asbell) Stogsdill passed peacefully from this life on Thursday, August 15, 2024 at her home in Lee’s Summit, MO approximately 2 months shy of her 94th birthday.

Phyllis was born October 19, 1930 in Hazelgreen, MO (Pulaski County) to Alonzo (Lon) and Letha (Johnson) Asbell. The family moved to rural Baxter Springs, Kansas, where she attended Tarr Valley Grade School and Cherokee County Community High School. After graduation, Phyllis moved to Joplin, Missouri, where she lived at the YWCA and worked in an office until marrying William (Bill) Stogsdill. Shortly thereafter, the couple began a series of moves during Bill’s military career. In the 1970’s, the couple moved back to the Midwest and called Neosho, MO their home for several years while Bill pursued degrees in education and worked in that field. During this time, Phyllis enjoyed working at Neosho Floral. She had a passion for flowers and plants and developed quite the green thumb. From Neosho, the couple moved to the Northwest living in Oregon and Bellingham, Washington. In Bellingham, they appreciated the culture of the Lummi Nation as well as enjoyed navigating the waters of the pacific northwest by sailboat. They eventually returned to Neosho, Missouri for several years before making their final home at John Knox Village retirement community in Lee’s Summit, Missouri.

Phyllis was a loving, faithful, kind and graceful wife and mother. She took delight in her family and spending time with grandchildren, growing plants and flowers, watching birds at her feeders, reading books, and watching movies. She cheered on the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals. She was a member of Forest Park Baptist Church in Joplin and First Baptist Church of Lee’s Summit and received great joy from church, reading the Bible and devotionals, and attending Sunday School class.

She was preceded in death by her husband William (Bill) Stogsdill in 2016, son Walter (Billy) Stogsdill in 2007, and great grandson Tyson Balek in 2017. She was also preceded by her parents, twin brother Bill Asbell, brother Paul Asbell, brother Robert Asbell, sister Virginia Ernest, sister Bonnie Zaccarello, sister Beatrice Johnson, and sister Jean Tune.

Survivors include her brother Larry Asbell of Miami Oklahoma, several nieces and nephews, her children: Jeannie Stogsdill (Billy) of Neosho Missouri, Rebecca Westley and husband Ed of Aspers Pennsylvania, Ken Stogsdill and wife Colleen of Canby Oregon, Carol Sinclair and husband Sam of Manchester Pennsylvania, and Marianne Sherman and husband Mike of Lee’s Summit Missouri. Grandchildren: Bevin Stogsdill and Cory Murdock, Nathan Stogsdill, Vanessa and Johnnie Balek, Allison and Adam Bloyer, Michael Stogsdill, Kena Stogsdill and Richard Lucht, Ryan Sinclair and Nikki Canales, Sarah and Jeff Adkins, Justin Sherman and Nicole Alexander, Matthew Sherman and Melanie Whitlock, Tyler and Adrian Sherman, Tyler Adkins and Lexi Vogel. Great-Grandchildren: Wesley Little, Jhonathan Balek, Leo Warner, Henry Taylor, Skyler Sinclair, Kiley Crone, Maggie Sinclair, Liam Adkins, Henry Adkins, Mya Sherman, Emma Sherman, and great-great granddaughter Ana Marie Adkins.

A visitation is planned for Friday August 23, 2024 at 10:00 AM at Heartland Cremation and Burial Society, 6113 Blue Ridge Blvd., Raytown MO 64133 followed by a memorial service at Noon at the John Knox Village Chapel which is next to JKV Administration Building, 400 NW Murray Road, Lee’s Summit MO 64081. Burial is set for 1:00 PM Monday August 26, 2024 at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery, 5201 S Southwood Rd. Springfield, MO 65804. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to First Baptist Church of Lee’s Summit (please designate Building Fund), 2 NE Douglas Street, Lee’s Summit, MO 64063.