PHYLLIS MAE (BATTS) SHEAKS

Phyllis Mae (Batts) Sheaks of Westminster, Colorado passed away Tuesday, the 10h of July at the age of 91. She was a lifelong Missourian and lived for over 80 years in Belton and Kansas City area. She was born May 14, 1927 in Omaha, Nebraska, but grew up in Kansas City, Missouri from the age of two. She married Norman A. Sheaks in 1948 who preceded her in death in 1961 to a tragic car accident. She leaves behind her sister Helen Stukenberg of Overland Park, Kansas, and four children, Bob Sheaks of Irving, Texas; Sue Wisdom of Cary, North Carolina; Sanford Sheaks of Leavenworth, Kansas; and Carol Meininger of Westminster, Colorado. Phyllis also leaves behind twelve grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and six great-great-grandchildren.

Phyllis was proud to say how her father True W. Batts was an organizer of the United Auto Workers at the General Motors Leeds assembly plant in Kansas City in the 1930s. She had vivid memories of the great depression and of having little food and moving frequently because of economic hardship. She remembered her father leading the family in taking castor oil to help with digestion and avoid constipation from lack of fruit and vegetables. As the oldest of five kids, she graduated from Central High School in 1944 in Kansas City. She worked a number of local jobs and met Norman in 1947 and married in 1948. They were a gorgeous couple. Phyllis was strikingly beautiful with a dazzling smile and Norm was trim, handsome, and had a mischievous wit.

After a short time living in Chicago, Illinois, they bought a small house on Lacy Lane in Belton, Missouri. Norm got a job at the GM Plant through his father-in-law and soon the four kids came, along with prosperity – the American dream. His untimely death in 1961 left Phyllis to care for her family alone. She won a government job at General Services Administration in 1964, rising from a clerk position in the mail room to supervisory accountant in the Accounts Receivable department. She retired from government service in 1994, having earned tremendous respect as a woman supervisor at a time in which it was quite uncommon.

Phyllis had an amazing work ethic. In addition to her full-time job at GSA, she was a Cub Scout and Girl Scout leader for her children in the 1960s. At night, she earned her Associates Degree from Longview Community College and worked on her Bachelor's Degree at UMKC. She was a lifelong Democrat and served on many, many committees, boards, and activities in Belton and Kansas City until 2014. She loved to talk about her politics and enjoin her children with her enthusiasm for numerous local, state and Federal candidates.

In the last years of her life she became a follower of Jesus Christ, having accepted him as Lord and Savior. She has joined her beloved mother and Christ follower, Jennie Pearl Batts, and other family in eternity and are at this moment now rejoicing together in the presence of Jesus. Amen and Amen! Phyllis will be buried in the Belton Cemetery with her husband, Norm.

Phyllis was preceded in death by her husband, Norman Arthur Sheaks; brother Jim Batts, brother Jack Batts; sister Arlene Machal; and parents True W. and Jenny P. Batts.

She is survived by her children, Robert Arthur Sheaks, Susan Marie Wisdom, Sanford True Sheaks, and Carol Anne Meininger; 12 Grandchildren, Richard Harper, Joseph Sharkey, Jacob Sharkey, Amy Wisdom, Stacy Wisdom, Andrew Wisdom, Hunter Sheaks, Jessie Sheaks, Paige Sheaks, Sam Sheaks, Jared Meininger, and Alicia Meininger; 9 Great Grand Children, Brittany Harper Wicke, Melissa Harper, Marina Harper, Natalie Harper, Ava Coleman, Zoe Meininger, Dax Meininger, Evelyn Sheaks, and Francis Wisdom; along with 6 Great-Great Grand Children, Gage Wicke, Wyatt Wicke, Cal Wicke, Alexavier Harper, Sabrina Harper, and Stevie Harper.

A Visitation Service will be held on August 11th at 10:00 a.m. with a Funeral Service to follow at 11:00 a.m. at Cullen Funeral Home 612 West Foxwood Drive, Raymore, Missouri. A Burial will take place following the Funeral Service at Belton Cemetery located in Belton, Missouri.



Arrangements: Cullen Funeral Home, Raymore, Missouri 816.322.5278