Lucy Roark

Lucy Thompson Roark, 87, of Paola, Kansas, passed away April 15, 2009, at Evergreen Community of Johnson County, in Olathe, Kansas. Services will be 1:30 PM Tuesday, April 21, 2009, with visitation prior to the service from 12:30 " 1:30 PM, at Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home, 305 N. Pearl St. Paola, Kansas, 66071. Memorial may be made to Paola United Methodist Church/ Evergreen Community of Johnson County. Lucy Thompson Roark, the daughter of Eudora Sappington and Harry Thompson, was born on November 13, 1921, at Peculiar, Missouri. She was the only daughter of four children, and grew up in the Paola area. She graduated from Paola High School, in 1939,and then attended, Ursuline Academy. Later she moved to Kansas City and worked as a secretary for Sears Roebuck and Equitable Life Assurance Company. Lucy was introduced to her husband, Herman, by a mutual friends, and they were married about one year later on December 5, 1948, in Paola, Kansas. To this union they were blessed with one daughter, Ann. Lucy and her husband, Herman moved to Paola in 1951 where Herman operated a shoe repair and western store in Paola for over 30 years. Lucy worked as a secretary for the Southeast District Manager of Kansas City Power and Light. She retired after 31 years of service. Church was an important part of Lucy"s life. She was a member of the Paola United Methodist Church and served as a Sunday school teacher and secretary to the United Methodist Women. She also worked as a volunteer in the thrift shop. Lucy and Herman were active in the Eastern Star for a number of years. After retirement, Lucy became a member of the Marais des Cygnes Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution. She served her chapter as Recording Secretary for many years and also participated in an after school reading program for elementary school students. She enjoyed attending DAR functions throughout the State and making new friends during these travels. Lucy and her Herman were members of the Paola Country Club and of the Twilighters supper club for many years. Lucy was also involved in organizing reunions for her classmates from Paola High School Class of 1939. Both she and her husband had a passion for traveling and visited many areas of the United States and also Canada. In addition to her love of traveling, Lucy also enjoyed reading and working in her flower garden. Lucy is preceded in death by her parents, husband and three brothers. She is survived by her daughter Ann, of Paola, Kansas. She will be missed by many.