SERVICE
Hill and Son Funeral Home
Appleton City, Missouri
Thursday, January 18, 2018
2:00 p.m.

MINISTERS
Pastor Tony Reynolds and Pastor Robert Wood

VISITATION
Hill and Son Funeral Home
Appleton City, Missouri
Thursday, January 18, 2018
1:00 - 2:00 p.m.

INTERMENT
Appleton City Cemetery
Appleton City, Missouri

MEMORIALS
First Christian Church (Appleton City) or Appleton City Library

Leta Mae Borum Wood, 97, of Appleton City, Missouri, was born in a snowstorm, unattended by a physician on February 21, 1920 in Johnson City, Missouri and departed this life in the middle of snowstorm on January 14, 2018 at Mercy Hospital of Joplin in Joplin, Missouri. She was the daughter of Alva A. and Nellie Francis (Richardson) Hunsucker.  She received her education in a one-roomed schoolhouse in Johnson City until the eighth grade.  After completing her schooling, Leta lived in the Appleton City area all of her life except the last two years, when she moved to Webb City, Missouri to be near her daughter.

On December 10, 1938 Leta married Willard Borum, and to this union one daughter, Barbara, was born.  She and Willard owned and operated the public school buses for many years and Leta drove a bus route for more than 30 years.  Always claiming she had the best route, the finest children, and the sweetest parents, she enjoyed every minute of her job, where everyday was a new story about one of "her kids."

Throughout her life Leta belonged to and passionately served many organizations and the First Christian Church of Appleton City.  When in later years her energy began to wane, she refused to give up her most cherished activity in the P.E.O. and continued fellowshipping with those "young, smart, and busy women."

After the passing of her husband Willard of 41 years in 1979, Leta later married Fred Stoltz in 1982 and gained a very special step-son Jim and daughter-in-law, Norma Stoltz.  Following Fred's death in 1994, Leta married Earl Wood in 1997 and inherited another wonderful family: Bud and Sue Suse, Jerry and Judy Wood, 8 grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and two great-great-granddaughters.  They remained active in the Christian Church all their lives and shared many enjoyable years together.  Earl's family became Leta's family and they shared a loving bond.  Finally, she shared a close relationship with her church family, including Irene Powell, Elaine Noble, Pearl Young, Paulene Davis and Helen Zink, who spent many happy times together, and heaven is now richer as she has rejoined their company.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Alva and Nellie (Richardson) Hunsucker; and one brother, Avery R. Hunsucker.

Survivors include her daughter, Barbara Smith and husband Ron of Joplin, Missouri; two grandchildren:  Kevin Smi th and wife Allison of Polo, Missouri and Kerri Beard and husband Larry of Grand Junction, Colorado; and one very special great-grandson Parker Todd of Maryville, Missouri.  She also leaves behind a constant companion in her beloved dog, Princess.  Leta will be dearly missed by the many friends and family she gained during her long and happy life.