Obituary of Lela Belle Hymes

Lela Belle Hymes, daughter of John Thomas and Virginia (Pirtle) Banks, was born December 9, 1918 in Tullahoma, Tennessee. She departed this life April 8, 2011 in Villa Marie Skilled Nursing Facility in Jefferson City, Missouri at the age of 92 years, 3 months and 30 days. On March 12, 1939 in Santa Monica, California Lela was united in marriage to Chester �Chet� Mason Hymes. He preceded her in death on June 17, 1989. She was also preceded in death by her parents, four brothers; Layton Thomas Banks (killed at Pearl Harbor), Walter Banks of Merced, California, Weldon Banks of Grapevine, Texas and Wayne Banks of Dallas, Texas; four sister, Mary Lee Banks, Elizabeth (Banks) Fulton, Stella May (Banks) Grassel and Sally �Goldie� (Banks) Love. Survivors include two step-sons, Chester LeRoy Hymes and wife, Claire, of Mesa, Arizona and Dale Warren Hymes and wife, Wilma, of Kaiser, Missouri; one step-daughter, Martha Jane Sherbourne and husband, Clint, of Florence, Oregon; five children, Charles Eugene Hymes of Osage Beach, Missouri, James Weyland Hymes and wife, Susan, of Linn Creek, Missouri, Betty Kay Cull of Kansas City, Missouri, Sheila Marie Raithel and husband, Jerry, of Jefferson City, Missouri, and Sharlene Jo Mastrandrea of West Linn, Oregon; one sister, Vestal (Banks) Thompson of Dallas, Texas; two sisters-in-law, Barbara (McNeill) Hymes of American Fk., Utah and Ruth (Hymes) Williamson of Lake City, Florida� eleven grandchildren; thirteen great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. Lela called Osage Beach home from 1944 to 1994. For fifty years Lela worked hard to make a success of all the business endeavors that she and Chet started together at the Lake of the Ozarks. Together as a team they were early supporters and promoters of the Lake of the Ozarks Association, the formation of the Osage Beach Chamber of Commerce and the incorporation of the city of Osage Beach in 1959. Lela was a charter member of the Osage Beach Business and Professional Women�s Club, Inc. and served as its first treasurer. After retiring from business at the age of 76, Lela moved to Jefferson City and lived with her oldest daughter. Lela made a profession of faith in Jesus Christ at an early age and was a member of Harper Chapel United Methodist Church in Osage Beach for many years. Lela loved working outdoors during all seasons of the year and especially during spring when she could transplant flowers, trees and shrubs around her home. Lela was a loving sister, wife, mother, aunt and grandmother and was a caring neighbor and friend. She will be fondly remembered by many, whose lives she has touched.