Bessie Ann Lauffer (Lowrey)

Bessie Ann (Lowrey) Lauffer, 81, of Independence, MO, died on March 12, 2021 in Independence, MO. Services will be private, with burial at Mound Grove Cemetery in Independence, MO will follow. Bessie was born on June 27, 1939 in Neosho, MO to Leon and Lucy (Berry) Lowrey. She graduated from Neosho High School and soon after, moved to Kansas City, MO, where she met the love of her life. Bessie married Charles “Bud” Lauffer in 1958. They raised three children, as well as lending their loving parenting skills to neighborhood children. Bessie loved children so much that after raising her own, she started years of raising others’ children in her own home, as a babysitter. Many of those children remain “family” to this day. Bessie’s smile was warm and would light up the room. She loved to watch her bird feeders, especially the cardinals. Bessie loved to shop, square dance with Bud and the “Silver Dollar Square Dance Club”, go to casinos, watch “The Price is Right”, and do word searches. Bessie was a member of the Susquehanna Baptist Church for many years. She loved her dogs, Buddy and Charlie, however, the greatest joys in her life were her grandchildren, Emily Rose and Zachary Mark. Bessie is survived by her daughters, Tammy Lauffer and Kathy (Matt) Tillman; granddaughter, Emily Tillman; grandson, Zachary Mark Tillman; “adopted” daughter, Kathie (Rick) Dalzell; sister, Ellen Jeffers; as well as a large number of loving nephews; nieces; babysitting families; friends; and neighbors. Bessie is preceded in death by her husband, of 54 years, “Bud”; son, Charles “Mark” Lauffer; brother, Charles Lowrey; and sisters, Viola Smith, Eunice Wisehart, Virginia Hoppas, Rosalee Middleton, and Ila Jean Bacon. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.speakschapel.com (Arrangements: Speaks Suburban Chapel (816) 373-3600)