Leliah A. Curless

Leliah A Curless, 85, St. Peters, Mo., and formerly of Palmyra, Mo., passed away Friday, June 26, 2020, at Delmar Gardens Nursing Home in Lenexa, Kan.

Leliah was born on Dec. 28, 1934, to Harvey Lester and Mattie Grace (Luck) Moutray in Steelville, Mo. She was married to Donald C. Curless on Jan. 21, 1956. He preceded her in death on Nov. 24, 2008.

Survivors include her children, Jerry (Andrea) Curless, Tucson, Ariz.; Joe (Carol) Curless, Springfield, Mo.; and Jim (Kristy) Curless, Lee’s Summit, Mo.; step-daughter, Penny (Lyle) Thumann, Davenport, Iowa; brother, John Moutray; seven grandchildren, Bryan, Brett, Brittany, Heather, Kristin, Gavin and Braeden; and seven great-grandchildren.

Leliah was also preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Jacquelyn Cowgill; sisters, Lillian Moutray, Josephine Peterson, Marie Kropp, Georgia Denton, Ava Robinson and Mattie Tracey, and brothers, Ralph Moutray, Joseph Moutray and William Moutray.

Professionally, Leliah worked in accounting for many years. She was a huge St. Louis Cardinals fan and intensely dedicated to her puppies.  

As an artist, she could be found making beautiful afghans and ceramic pottery. A devoted wife and mother, she will always be remembered by her children for her strong will and of course her wonderful potato salad!

Leliah was a former member of the First Presbyterian Church of Palmyra.

Graveside services will be held at 9 a.m., Wednesday, July 8, at Greenwood Cemetery in Palmyra. Pastor Marty Smyser will officiate.

Visitation will be from 6 to 7 p.m., Tuesday, July 7, at Lewis Brothers Funeral Chapel in Palmyra.

 Memorial may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or The Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes Jewish Healthcare.

Online condolences may be made at www.lewisbrothersfuneralchapel.com.