Loveda Stepaniak

Hearing the trumpets and God"s call home, Loveda entered the gates of Heaven on March 11, 2012. The first child of Claude & Ethel Cole Austin, Loveda was born August 13, 1912 in Conway, Missouri. The family moved to Ozark, Missouri and later to Paola, Kansas in 1916. Loveda attended grade school in Paola, at District 47 and graduated at the top of her class in 1927 from Baker School located just outside of Paola. Loveda moved to Kansas City, Missouri and married Adlai Stevenson McLemore on May 22, 1935. They moved to Houston, Texas on April 12, 1941 and then to Huntsville in 1959. Mr. McLemore preceded her in death in December 1976. Following her husband"s death, Loveda returned to Paola, Kansas to reside with and care for her mother Ethel Austin until her death in February 1988. Loveda married Sylvester Stepaniak on March 3, 1990 and together they lived in Paola until his death on July 20, 2003. Loveda was living with relatives following the death of Sylvester until 2009 when she moved to Trinity Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Merriam, Kansas. Preceding her in death were three brothers Harold, Walter, and Franklin Austin and two sisters Doris Jean Eastland and Louella Mildred Slawson. Loveda is survived by one sister Edna M. Bradley of Kansas City, Missouri and one brother Arthur Austin of Inyokern, California. Loveda will be missed by many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews and great-great nieces and nephews. Loveda is a member of Pearl Street Baptist Church of Paola. In lieu of flowers the family suggests contributions to VITAS Hospice, 13316 W. 98 St, Lenexa, KS 66215.