Zelda Mae Lance
February 27, 1930 - May 7, 2025
Zelda Lance passed away peacefully on May 7th after a short illness. She was born on February 27th , 1930 in Mountain Home, Arkansas, to Joshua and Lily Ethel Thompson. Zelda was the eldest of five girls, and she helped take care of her younger sisters as they grew up in the hills of Baxter County during the Depression years.
In October of 1949, Zelda married Francis (Curly) Lance, and they moved to Neosho, Missouri, to begin their family. Zelda worked in the area as a waitress and also worked for many years at Walmart. She was an accomplished seamstress, and she often crocheted blankets and did needle work for friends and family. She was also generous with her excellent cooking skills, baking her family's favorites for them.
Zelda was an active member of the Leawood Village Church of Christ, having attended for 60 years. She was also a life-long St. Louis Cardinals fan and watched every game in her later years.
Zelda was preceded in death by her husband, Francis, and her sisters Wilma Morris, Dorothy Kemp, and Jennie Thompson. She is survived by her children Terry Lance (Kathy), Joan Kearny (Tom), a sister-in-law and brother-in-law Jerry and Pauline Fast, a sister Marva Lewis, two grandchildren Eric Lance and Teresa Boyd, four great-grandchildren, and six great great-grandchildren.
The funeral service has been scheduled for 2:00 pm Monday, May 12 at Mason-Woodard Chapel. Burial to follow at Mount Hope Cemetery.
Family will receive friends and visitors from 2:00 to 3:00 pm Sunday, May 11 at Mason-Woodard.
Memorial contributions can be made to Joplin Humane Society in care of the mortuary.
Send Flowers: When Is the Ordering Deadline?
ANY DAY OF THE WEEK
Order any time up till the day before
MON-FRI Order by 2:00PM
SAT & SUN Order by noon
TUES-SAT
Order by 3:00PM
The day before
SAT & SUN Order by Saturday
Note: These are general guidelines; some florists may not be able to operate within these timelines. During peak periods such as Valentine’s Day, Memorial Day and most holidays, florists are not always able to keep up to demand. Tribute will contact you if there are any issues.
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Send Flowers: When Is the Ordering Deadline?
ANY DAY OF THE WEEK
Order any time up till the day before
MON-FRI Order by 2:00PM
SAT & SUN Order by noon
TUES-SAT
Order by 3:00PM
The day before
SAT & SUN Order by Saturday
Note: These are general guidelines; some florists may not be able to operate within these timelines. During peak periods such as Valentine’s Day, Memorial Day and most holidays, florists are not always able to keep up to demand. Tribute will contact you if there are any issues.
Plant a tree: How does it work
When your purchase is complete, a post will be made on the tribute wall of the deceased signifying the planting of a memorial tree.
An official certificate recognizing your purchase will be included with your email receipt. You can then forward the email to the family or print it and give it to them personally.
After an order is placed, our forestry partners will plant the tree in the area of greatest need (nearest the funeral home), according to the planting schedule for the year.
Due to seasonal conditions, the tree planting takes place during the spring and summer.
Tree Planting Timeline
Orders placed in:
January - May
Planting will take place in Spring or Summer of the same year.
June - December
Planting will take place in Spring of the following year.
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