Luella Jane Rew

Luella Jane (Copenhaver) Rew. Age 83. 11.29.41 to 12.28.24

Luella was born in Kansas City, Missouri, on November 29, 1941, to Lonzo and Dorothy Copenhaver. She graduated from Northeast High School in 1959 and began a 30-year career in banking which would last until her retirement in 2001.

Luella married Raymond L. Rew, also of Kansas City and a ’59 graduate of Northeast High School, while Raymond, a Navy Corpsman, was stationed at Camp Pendelton in Southern California. They began their life in Fallbrook, California, until 1964 when Raymond’s service ended, and they returned home to Kansas City and began their family.

Luella was more than our mother. She was the soul of our family, devoting her life to selflessly creating a home where traditions flourished. She will be remembered as a devoted mother and grandmother, homemaker, and hostess. Her home was open to all and often a safe harbor when life threw a curve ball. 

Her legacy includes her 25-year service and dedication to the Northeast High School Alumni Association and reunion committee and to the Election Board of Jackson County, Missouri, where she served as an election official for 20 years.

In their early years, Raymond and Luella lived in Northeast where she was active in the James Elementary School PTA, White Avenue United Methodist Church, and led the neighborhood Girl Scout Troop. Our family moved to Blue Springs in 1975 and remained residents of Cherokee Estates for 44 years. Lou was in management at UMB Bank where customers considered her their ally and friend. She demonstrated the balance required of a full-time working mother and developed strong confident children from her example.

After retirement, our parents traveled and enjoyed cruises, visiting countries and islands too numerous to count. They enjoyed frequent Northeast High School classmate dinners organized by our mother and together spearheaded the Northeast Alumni Golf Tournament for 18 years.

If something needed planned and organized, Luella Rew was the person to get it done. She was a talented quilter, decorator, and cookie maker. She loved everything Barbie and the Crown Center Mayor’s Christmas Tree Lighting was a family tradition. She attended the sporting events of her children, son-in-law, and four grandchildren, often traveling hours away to catch a meet or game, even when her Fibromyalgia pain should have kept her down. She has always been the biggest fan of her children and grandchildren’s endeavors. 

Luella is survived by her husband of 61 years, Raymond; daughter Jamie Floyd (Jeff) of Gladstone, son Kenneth Rew (Susan) of Blue Springs, and son Jason Rew (Tammy) of Lee’s Summit; four grandchildren: Carter Floyd and wife Cambria, Cooper Rew, and Ella and Adeline Rew; her sister Patricia Briggs (Robert) of Gravois Mills and brother Lawrence Copenhaver (Cindy).

She was preceded in death by her parents and brother Lonzo J. Copenhaver.

A Celebration of Life will be held January 2, 2025, at Speaks Suburban Chapel, 18020 E. 39th St., Independence, Missouri 64055. Visitation from 9:00 to 10:00 AM and service beginning at 10:00 AM.

Contributions to the Northeast High School Raymond and Luella Rew Scholarship Fund are suggested in care of Speaks Funeral Home