August 30, 1913 – September 20, 2012

Mrs. Reba Louise Ross Creason, 99, formerly of Orrick, passed away on Thursday, September 20, 2012, in Fort Myers, Fla. She was born in Orrick on August 30, 1913, to Walter Lee Ross and Minnie Belle (Waters) Ross. She eloped with Bertram Leon Creason on December 16, 1933. They were married in Kansas in a double ceremony with Teeny and Berniece Windsor, also of Orrick.

Reba graduated from Orrick High School, Class of 1931, where she was a member of the girls’ basketball team. She attended business school in St. Louis.

Reba was an accomplished pianist and could still play from memory her 8th Grade Graduation solo, “Polanaise,” well into her nineties. She began playing for the Orrick Christian Church Children’s Department at age 15 and continued to play for Sunday School, Bible School, and church services until 2007 when she moved to Florida to be near her daughters. She was honored for 75 years of service by the church in 2002 on “Reba Creason Sunday” with a special service, a plaque, and reception.

Mrs. Creason was a 50-year member of the Friendship and Service Extension Club. She served as a Den Mother when her son was a Cub Scout and proudly wore her uniform to all den meetings, activities, and Boy Scout functions.

During World War II Reba worked as an operator at the Orrick telephone office while her husband was in the United States Navy. She particularly remembered the heavy phone activity during the prisoner of war camps during summers of 1943 and 1944.

Mrs. Creason enjoyed cake decorating and sewing. She kept a photo album of all the wedding cakes she created. She was a homemaker, but also worked outside the home once her son entered high school. She did alterations at Bond’s Cleaners in Excelsior Springs and later for Rader’s Men’s and Women’s Stores in Richmond.

Reba enjoyed traveling with Jim Strain’s senior groups and always took her portable keyboard to play for sing-a-longs. She visited many areas of the USA and Canada and made many travel friends.

Mrs. Creason participated in many of the Ray County Senior activities both downtown and at Eagleton Center for over 25 years. She was an honorary member of the Orrick Lion’s Club.

Survivors include her daughters, Christa Creason Chaussee and Sherri Creason McKown, and grandson, Jason Ross McKown, all of Fort Myers, Fla.; grandson, David Lance McKown and wife, Tina of Lawson; great-grandson Jesse McKown of Kansas City; great-granddaughter, Jamie Rae McKown of Climax Springs; niece, Patricia Ross Lichok of Scottsdale, Ariz.; sister-in-law, Ona Mae Creason of Carrollton; and several cousins, nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, Bert, only son, Edward Leon Creason, and brother, Charles Edward Ross.

Cremation. Services will be held at Orrick Christian Church on Saturday, October 20. Visitation will be at 10 a.m., followed by a Memorial Service at 11 a.m. with The Reverend Art Endsley officiating. Inurnment at South Point Cemetery.

Local arrangements by Gowing Funeral Home, Orrick, Missouri.