Evelyn Loretta Van Meter

Evelyn Loretta Van Meter, 91, of Odessa, Missouri passed away June 25, 2026 at Odessa Health Care Center.

Visitation will be from 10:00 to 11:00 am, Monday, June 29, 2026 at First Baptist Church, 100 Highway OO, Odessa, Missouri. A Celebration of Life will follow at 11:00 am at the church. Interment will be at Odessa Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First Baptist Church of Odessa. Memories and condolences may be left at www.LedfordFamilyFH.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Ralph O. Jones Funeral Home, 306 South Second Street, Odessa, Missouri 64076, 816-633-5524.

Born on December 4th, 1934 daughter of Walter DeWitt and Emeline (Page) Matthews. Evelyn attended various rural country schools from 1940-1948. Evelyn graduated Middle School from Bowman Country School in 1948. 1948-1953 Evelyn attended Warrensburg Public High graduating May 1953. She worked at Warrensburg Medical Center/Hospital as an aide from 1953-1959. On July 17th, 1959 Evelyn married James Guy Van Meter of Odessa, MO. Evelyn worked for Dr. Wayne Boydston from 1963-1973. 1973-1974 Evelyn attended Warrensburg Vo-Tech School of Nursing graduating as an LPN. Evelyn worked at several Nursing Homes within the Lafayette, Saline, and Jackson counties. Evelyn worked for Dr. Burney Miller from 1983-1991. Evelyn also worked for Home Health. Evelyn retired in 1999 from her career in nursing. Evelyn has been a member of the First Baptist Church – Odessa, MO since 1961. Evelyn’s love in life was being outside with her flowers, singing hymns, and last but not least spending quality time with the love of her life her husband of 66 years, her children, grandchildren, and of recent years great grandchildren.

Evelyn is survived by her two daughters. Linda Varner (Stephen) and Susie Campbell (Kevin) all of Odessa; grandchildren, Darrell LeBeau (Mia), Kyle Campbell (Taylor), Ryan Campbell (Hannah) and Danielle Flory (Caleb); and great grandchildren, Hadley, Tate, Ellis, Kolson and Pryor.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, James Guy Van Meter; sisters, Ethel Hall, Virginia Gunsalas, Marjorie Pennington Clara Walters, Mary Silvers and Ethlyn Sharp; and brothers, Calvin Matthews and Hubert Matthews.

Pallbearers are Darrell LeBeau, Kyle Campbell, Ryan Campbell, Caleb Flory, Matt Couch and Adam Couch.

Honorary Pallbearers are JW Matthews, Buddy Hall, Jimmy Hall, Wayne Silvers, Eric Couch, Dr. Burney Miller and Brent Warner.