Lillian George

Lillian Grace George, 99, Independence, MO passed away April 10, 2011 just five days shy of her 100th birthday. Services will be 10 am, Tuesday, April 19, 2011 at Carson-Speaks Chapel, 1501 W. Lexington Ave., Independence, MO 64052; interment at Higginsville City Cemetery. Visitation will begin at 9 am prior to the funeral. The family suggests contributions to Animals Best Friends, P.O. Box 493, Independence, MO 64051.
Grace was born at home in Kansas City, MO to Virginia Wright Burdette McMurray and James David McMurray. She attended Faxon Grade School. She graduated from Westport High School in 1929 where she earned many awards for athletic achievements in tennis, basketball, and swimming. Following high school She worked at Hall Brothers (Hallmark) hand painting greeting cards. She graduated from Kansas City Business College and also Kansas City College of Cosmetology. She owned and operated the Brookside Beauty Salon from 1932 to 1942. In 1942 she married Flavel B. George in Kansas City, MO. She was a homemaker until 1954 when she was employed by the Jackson County Assessors Office in Independence, MO. She served on the Jackson County Election Board and worked at the polls for many elections. She had strong interest in Local government and politics and frequently wrote editorials for the Examiner. After twenty-five years of service she retired from the Assessor’s Office in 1979.
After retiring, Grace obtained a Real Estate Brokers License. Her interests included real estate, rehabbing houses, antiques, thrifting, crocheting rugs, sewing and making her often-requested “famous Fudge”. She was proud of her Irish heritage and interested in genealogy as well as the history of the Civil War and World War II. She especially loved animals and cared for many pets she had rescued over the years. She mowed her acreage on a lawn tractor into her 90’s. In her later years she swam at the YMCA twice weekly and became a poster girl in their advertisements.
Grace was preceded in death by her brother William Kenneth McMurray in 1969 and her husband Flavel B. George in 1982. She is survived by her daughters Mary Pat Young, Independence, MO; Jennifer Renner; son David Kenneth George and wife Kathleen, all of Blue Springs, MO; grandchildren Amy Eulert, Kansas City, MO; D. Michael George, Independence, MO; Angela Bond, Sanibel, FL; Jonathan Young and wife Toby, Independence, MO; Warren Bond and Amy, Lee’s Summit, MO; Conner George and wife Andrea, San Antonio, TX; Erin George, Blue Springs, MO; great-grandchildren Patrick Young, Kelly Young, Otto Eulert, Oliver Eulert, Kaitlin George and Landon Bond. She is also survived by her nineteen-year-old cat, Boo Boo, who in July of 2008 awakened Grace in time to escape a blazing house fire; her little dog, Buddy, loved and entertained her until her death.
Grace will be remembered by those who knew and loved her for exceptional love for her family, kindness and compassion, optimism, strength of character, sharp mind, strong work ethic and her fun-loving spirit and sense of humor.