Melva Jean Spurgeon

Melva Jean (Licklider) Spurgeon, age 85, of Topeka KS, (formerly of Kirbyville MO), passed away April 21, 2023.

 Melva was born on March 20, 1938 in St. Louis MO to the late Melvin Roy Licklider and Lela Mae (Beck) Licklider. She married Lenard Ivan Spurgeon on February 4, 1955. He passed away on December 8, 2020.

Lenard and Melva ran off and got married in Hernando, MS. On their return to her parent’s home, her dad told them, “The bad eggs have returned”. They had 65 years of marriage and found fun during rich and poor times. In the beginning of their marriage, they were happy going to town to sell eggs, and watch a movie. Melva would receive a letter from her mom, and take apart the envelope and write on it and put it in an envelope. They could not afford paper, but she would buy an envelope. Things got better as they went along. Together they loved to travel, and even got to go to Hawaii for their 25th Wedding Anniversary. Melva loved to give items she made, especially her homemade jellies.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Melvin Roy Licklider and Lela Mae (Beck) Licklider. Her sisters, Hazel Marie (Licklider) Schroeder and Linda Fay (Licklider) Biby, her husband, Lenard Ivan Spurgeon, and daughter, Jean Marie (Spurgeon) Isaacs, and son Gary Lenard Spurgeon.

She is survived by her brother Richard Melvin (Penny) Licklider, daughter, Terri (Nick) Kern of Topeka, KS, son-in-law, Gary (Katria) Isaacs of Bradleyville, MO; grandchildren, Brian(Jessica) Isaacs, Travis Isaacs, Rachel Langenfeld, Sarah(Nick) Penna, Jesse Kern, Cassidy Kern, and Jodi Kern; and great-grandchildren Charity Isaacs, Wesley, Wriley and Charlee Isaacs, and Avery and Zoey Langenfeld. She is also survived by many other beloved family and friends.

Lenard and Melva lived in the Cuba/Owensville/St. Louis area until they moved to the Branson area in 1971 and then moved to Kansas in 2017. Melva loved the Lord and was a member of the church wherever she lived. Melva worked in various occupations including soda fountain server, shoe factory machine operator, farming, resort owner, real estate, craft business, and rental properties. Out of all of that, she would rather be with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Visitation will be Friday, April 28th, 2023 from 6:00P.M. to 8:00 P.M. in Snapp-Bearden Funeral Home & Crematory.  Funeral services will be on Saturday April 29th 2023 at 10 A.M. in the funeral home with Pastor Sue Clayton officiating.  Burial will be in Ozarks Memorial Park Cemetery, Branson.

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