Beulah Irene (Looney) Alkire

Beulah Irene Alkire, 92, of Gower, MO passed away, Wednesday, October 27, 2010 at her home.

She was born on August 2, 1918 to John Wesley and Amanda May (Small) Looney. Beulah grew up in Odessa, MO and attended Odessa High School where she played volleyball and basketball.

On March 22, 1940 she was united in marriage to Taylor Baxter Alkire. They had two children, Linda Darlene and Larry Taylor. They lived in Warrensburg and Martin City before making their way to rural St. Joseph in 1951. Beulah was a caring, loving, Christian homemaker who took an active role in her children’s school and extra-curricular activities. She was past-president of the Mid-Buchanan PTA and Missouri Cow Bells. Beulah was a member of the Faucett Baptist Church where she was a Sunday School Teacher. She was also a member of the Extension Club, and a 4-H Club Leader for 26 years. Beulah was an excellent seamstress who made clothes for her family, doilies for the table, and quilts for the bed. Other hobbies included, gardening, canning, flowers, dancing, cooking, horseback riding, and playing cards, canasta, and bridge in particular.

Beulah later was a bookkeeper for Carriage Square in St. Joseph and the Gower Convalescent Center. She was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers.

Beulah is survived by her husband, Taylor, of the home; daughter, Linda Guthals, Gower, MO, son, Larry Alkire and wife Sue, St. Louis, MO; twelve grandchildren, Angela Dillard, Melissa Lopez, Cheri Lenz, Wendy Rice, Kevin Guthals, Lori Guthals, Bradley Alkire, Brian Alkire, Jonathan Alkire, Kristin Godsey, Robin Alkire, Joy Alkire; sixteen great-grandchildren; brother, Gene Looney and wife, Barb; several nieces and nephews, other relatives and many friends.

Funeral Services: 2:00 p.m. Today, October 28^th at Hixson-Klein Funeral Home, Gower.