Elizabeth Laura Bourdess

Elizabeth Bourdess was born Elizabeth Laura Martin on June 7, 1914 in Cleveland, Ohio. She was the only daughter of Howard and Annie Martin. She graduated from John Hays High School in Cleveland, OH. She was married to Anthony L. Bourdess on June 26, 1937 in Cleveland. Anthony became an ordained Baptist minister and she worked faithfully at his side serving their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in churches throughout the Midwest from Pennsylvania to Missouri. She and Anthony had two sons. Rev. Howard Bourdess of Raytown, MO and Anthony D. Bourdess of Prescott, AR. Elizabeth, for the most part, worked as a homemaker though she did work outside the home after the children were raised and married as a clerk typist for the Baptist Book Store and then for an insurance company. She was known for her handicraft work and could seldom be seen without a crochet hoot, knitting needle or embroidery needle in her hand. She was a faithful worker in the various Baptist churches as a pianist and Sunday School Teacher. Elizabeth was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers all of Cleveland, OH. She is survived by her two sons, Howard and his wife, Katy, and Anthony and his wife, Carol. She had 7 grandchildren and numerous great grandchildren and great, great grandchildren. She passed from this earth into her everlasting abode with Jesus Christ whom she loved and served with deep devotion on Tuesday, June 2 at Carmel Hills Nursing Home in Independence, MO. Viewing will be from 6:30 to 8:30 Friday, June 5 at Muehlebach Funeral Home, 6800 Troost Ave., Kansas City, MO. Funeral will be at 2:00 on Saturday at Olivet Baptist Church, 4901 Mission Rd., Westwood, KS. Dr. Bruce Anderson will lead the services. She will be interred at Floral Hills Cemetery, at Gregory and Blue Ridge. Gifts of Appreciation should be sent to Shawnee Mission Christian School, 4901 Mission Rd., Westwood, KS 66205.