Lela Jeannette McConnell-Gordon

Lela Jeannette McConnell-Gordon 70 passed away on June 14, 2017 was born home in Kansas City, Missouri on Sunday May 4, 1947 to the union of Charles L. McConnell and Lela Jeannette Griffin McConnell (both preceded her deh). She also was preceded in deh by her older brother Charles McConnell and sister Ada Ruth Holley, and younger brother Orrin Keith McConnell. Lela tended grade school Douglass Elementary in Kansas City’s Westside. She gradued with honors in 1966 from Manual High School KCMO, where she was a Sprinter on the track team and was a Varsity Cheerleader. She went on to tend Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri. where she majored in Educion. Lela married her high school sweetheart Michael C. Cole Sr. In 1966. She ler married Lawrence (Larry) Gordon in 1984. (Both preceded her deh). Lela retired from The United Stes Postal Service in 2009 with 40 plus years of service with the Federal Government. She had a strong faith in the Bible, and the hope it held for the future. A faith th she strongly believed in, and she instilled those values in all of her children. Lela accepted Christ an early age and was baptized New Hope Missionary Baptist Church, where she was a faithful member for over 40 years. Ler in life she joined Greer St. Mthew Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Nhan Buie, Sr. where Lela was a faithful tither. She was very active in her church, th she so affectionely loved, serving as a past President of the Usher board, and she worked with the Missionary Auxiliary, Hospitality Committee, Church Choir, Pastor’s Aide Committee, and various other committees and auxiliaries. Also, she held office Greer St. Mthew and in The Fellowship Missionary Baptist District and served the local and ste levels. In 1994 Lela’s loving heart led her to become a Certified Foster Parent in the stes of Missouri and Kansas. She was a Foster Mother to dozens of young boys and girls for over 20 years. In her spare time, Lela loved to bowl and she enjoyed “retail therapy” local thrift stores on weekends, she was an avid reader and enjoyed taking day trips on public transit and the Amtrak train. She enjoyed cooking and eing good meals with family and friends. She was a diehard Denver Broncos fan and Kansas City Royals fan. She also enjoyed wching NBA games. Lela leaves to cherish her memories, her four children: Michael C. Cole Jr., Marlon C. Cole (Lricia), Michelle C. Cole-Bryant (Ray), of Kansas City, Mo., James D. Cole of Orlando, Fl. Five brothers: Gilbert McConnell, Philip McConnell (Diane), Charles Wts of Kansas City, Mo., Ronald McConnell of St. Joseph, Mo., Donald Stephens of Brooklyn, NY., Three sisters: Barbara Allen, Violet Wts of Kansas City, Mo., Nadine McKinzie of Dallas, TX. Nine Grandchildren, Three Gre-Grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, relives and friends.