Elva Elizabeth Needles

Elva Elizabeth Needles, age 92, of Kansas City, MO, passed away peacefully after a short illness on April 13, 2025, surrounded by a loving family at her home at Kingswood Senior Living, where she had resided for the past 12 years. Elva was born in the ethnically diverse community of Sugar Creek, MO, to Vern and Elva Martha Sutton nee Thatch. Noted for her athletic abilities from a young age, she graduated from the University of Kansas, where her talents were initially mistaken by the KU Athletic Department as a football prospect, thinking Elva was a boy’s name. It was in Sugar Creek that Elva met her future husband, Philip Ephraim Needles, at Mt. Washington M.E. Church, followed by a long and intense courtship. After much encouragement from his parents and a decisive letter from Elva to Phil to make up his mind, the two were married in 1955, enjoying 52 remarkable years together until Phil’s passing in 2008. Phil and Elva dedicated their lives to serving the United Methodist Church, where Phil was a pastor at various churches including Mt. Washington UMC, Longview UMC, St. John’s UMC, Maryville UMC, and Warrensburg UMC. During these years, Elva was deeply involved in church leadership and numerous civic organizations, notably Spofford Home, which led to the adoption of their beloved daughter, Diane, who predeceased Elva in 2018. Elva is survived by her granddaughters, Ami Bustos and husband Devin of Kansas City, MO and Dena Sheehan and husband Rich of Waxhaw, NC. Great-grandchildren include; Alyssa Sheehan, Lexington, KY; Ricky Caswell and wife Ciara of Kansas City, MO; Britney Caswell, Kansas City, MO; and a great great grandchild, Kassandra Kidwell, Raytown, MO. Alongside Phil, Elva was the proud owner of Elva Needles Antiques, a distinguished dealer of 18th Century American-made furniture and artwork. Together, they traveled extensively, buying and selling rare antiques, and operated a store in Crestwood Shops for many years. In her retirement, Elva made a significant impact on the community at Kingswood, where she served as board president and head of the vespers worship committee. This year, Elva was honored with the Ruth Flener Service Award in recognition of her years of dedicated service to the residents of Kingswood. To honor Elva’s remarkable life, donations may be made to St. John’s UMC, 6900 Ward Parkway, Kansas City, MO 64113 and Kingswood Foundation, 10000 Wornall Road, Kansas City, MO 64114. Elva Elizabeth Needles will be remembered for her sharp wit, community service and keen business judgement. She will be missed by her many family and friends for her loving generosity and unwavering faith, summed up by the old Methodist Hymn, “I’ll be a Methodist Until I die.” A funeral service will be held at St. John’s UMC on April 26th at 10:00 a.m. and internment at Mt. Washington Cemetery. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.speakschapel.com (Arrangements: Speaks Suburban Chapel (816) 373-3600)