Lila Ramona Catherall-Kirby passed away August 31st, 2021 at St. Luke’s Hospital in Kansas City, MO due to complications from a breakthrough COVID-19 infection.

Lila was born June 11th, 1947 in Appleton City, MO. She spent her childhood on the family farm in the Appleton City area with her older siblings Lane and Joe Ann. As a child she loved fishing (and was quite good at it!), horseback riding, sewing, reading and dreamed of being a writer. She was given the nickname “Dolly” because of her small and lean stature that resembled a child’s doll.

Lila married Billy Joe Doran and welcomed her first child, daughter Darla, in 1964. Lila went on to marry Bernard “Bernie” Catherall in 1968 and together they raised Darla and three additional children, David, Liam and Theresa in St. Joseph, MO. In 2003, Lila would marry Willis “Roger” Kirby and welcome Roger’s daughter Samantha into the family.

Lila devoted so much of her life to raising and caring for her beloved children. She was tough and resilient, but equally sweet and compassionate willing to sacrifice and defend loved ones at all costs. She loved family gatherings, baking and supporting her kid’s sports, school and music activities and coached several of Darla’s basketball teams. She played soccer on an adult coed soccer team where her fierce competitiveness could be witnessed on Sunday afternoons. She was a fabulous dancer, particularly swing dancing, winning local dance competitions with Bernie and often providing free entertainment at family gatherings.

A testament to her determination, grit and thriftiness, Lila taught herself how to upholster furniture when one of her living room chairs needed repair. She ended up being so good at it that neighbors began hiring her to re-upholster their own furniture. This new hobby led to a few full time jobs and ultimately she started her own upholstery business teaching herself bookkeeping and business management skills along the way (“Lila’s Tattered to Treasures”). She later would leverage her furniture expertise into a successful career in retail furniture sales.

Lila spent her later years living in Grandview, Lowry City and Platte City, MO with her husband Roger caring for their pets, enjoying Roger’s professional wrestling stories, and engaging with and continuing to support her children, grandchildren and extended family. Lila was the most loving and caring person, never complaining despite having faced much adversity throughout her life, and will be sincerely missed by all that knew her.

Lila was preceded in death by her mother, R. Kathleen (Joseph) McDonald; husband, Willis “Roger” Kirby; sister, Joe Ann Bray; daughter, Theresa Taylor; son-in-law George “Jeff” Kincaid. Survivors include brother, Lane McDonald; daughter, Darla Kincaid; son, David (Jodi) Catherall; son, William “Liam” (Brandi) Catherall; stepdaughters, Samantha Kirby and Linda Catherall; son-in-law Reggie Taylor; numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and extended family.

Lila has been laid to rest near her sister in the Iconium Cemetery in Iconium, MO. The family will be gathering privately for a celebration of Lila’s life. However, friends of Lila and the family will also be welcomed from 2:00pm – 4:00pm on Sunday September 12th, 2021 at the F.O.P. Hall, 621 S. 36th St., St. Joseph, MO 64507. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you instead make a donation to your favorite charity in Lila’s honor. 

Send to someone

Share this obituary with others

https://everloved.com/life-of/lila-catherall-kirby/obituary/

Copy