Mildred G. Woosley

Mildred Grace Woolsey passed away peacefully Tuesday, March 10, 2015 at home, surrounded by her loving family. She was born December 23rd, 1918, in Carroll County, MO and was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 46 years, Claude William Woolsey. Mildred was the adoring mother of Emma Lou, Calvin Eugene and Claudia Diane.

Her son, Eugene, described her recently as "a kind person, an artist, genuine and fiercely independent. We will all miss her."

She was preceded in death by her eldest daughter, Emma Lou (Woolsey) Gunn; son-in-law, James Carl Gunn; and son-in-law, Thomas Richard Williamson. Her parents, Haskins Samuel Smith and Ora (Christmas) Smith, both of Carroll County, MO also preceded her in death. She also mourned the loss of her siblings Ray Gilbert Smith; Billy Haskins Smith and Betty Lee (Smith) Dady.

Mildred is survived by her son, Calvin Eugene Woolsey, and wife, Wendy (Thornton) Woolsey of North Tustin, California and daughter, Claudia Diane (Woolsey) Williamson of Greeley, Kansas. She was the cherished grandmother of Janice Carlene (Gunn) Morford (Martin); Jim Carl Gunn (Beth); Jerry Carl Gunn (Cynthia); Michael Gene Gunn, Sr. (Lydia); Susan Lea Ora Diane (Gunn) Woning; Lora Lou Green; and David William Green and their respective families.

Mildred was an ingenious critical thinker and as a child enjoyed going to her grandfather?s (Gilbert "Gilly" Christmas) Sugartree General Store in Carroll County, MO. She played drums in high school and "cut a rug" with the best of them at the Carrollton Town Square each Saturday night, as well as dancing with her friends at old-fashioned barn dances, in her youth.

Claude and Mildred moved to Kansas City, MO in the late 1930?s, where they raised their family. Mildred was a successful businesswoman. She worked in fashion at Klein?s Department Store, owned Midge?s Beauty Salon and was the sole-proprietor of Blue Valley Ceramics and Art Studio; with a career spanning more than 50 years.

She was an avid doll-maker and collector; passionate cake decorator, quilter and all-time movie goer. She sang tunes and knew the words to an innumerable amount of songs of many genres. She instilled an appreciation of the arts to her family!

Mildred was a member of Sterling Acres Baptist Church. She taught Sunday school for many years at Kensington Avenue Baptist Church. She was a Past Matron of Golden Gate Chapter No. 58, Order of the Eastern Star, as well as a member in good-standing of Ann Lord Bartholomew Chapter, National Society Colonial Dames XVII Century; Independence Pioneers Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution and the Cameo Society.

Visitation will be Friday, March 20th from 6 to 8 PM; an Eastern Star Service will be held Saturday, March 21, 2015 at 10 AM, with Funeral Services immediately following. Arrangements by Muehlebach Funeral Home, 6800 Troost Avenue, Kansas City, MO 64131.

The website for personal condolences for the family of Mrs. Woolsey is http://www.MuehlebachChapel.com. Muehlebach Chapel may be contacted at (816) 444-2060.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to American Cancer Society or St. Luke?s Hospice of Kansas City.