Obituary of LaRetta Summers Arnett

LaRetta Anne (Summers) Arnett, a beautiful daughter of God, of Preston, Missouri, passed away Thursday, July 23, 2015, after turning the age of 66 earlier in the month among family while staying with her caring younger brother in Lee's Summit, Missouri. LaRetta was born July 7, 1949. She was the daughter of Raymond "Bud" Summers and Joy Oleta (Yates) Summers of Preston, Missouri and Grand-Daughter of Joseph Yates and Floralice Yates of Preston, Missouri. LaRetta was an entrepreneur and a driving creative force in the early family business, Summers Moonglo Theatre (Preston, MO) where she served as Director and was also a leading actress in all the family theatrical productions. She joined forces with her extended family and applied her talents in the creation of the still enduring Full Moon Productions, Inc. This Kansas City icon and nationally acclaimed industry leader produced the first commercial Haunted Attraction in the United States, "The Edge of Hell", which just celebrated its 41st Anniversary. Even today, her talents remain within walls of The Edge and The Beast, the second production of the Summers family, that is rated by many sites as a fan favorite year after year and is the largest of its kind in the United States. LaRetta loved costume design and used to create and sew the costumes for each production. She was referred to as "Queen of The Beast" and loved all her cast and crew. Her unique creative stamp is on every night's production to this day. LaRetta finished her career as a Make Up and Fashion Consultant. LaRetta was a "Faith Warrior", an avid reader, loved storytelling, moon gazing, dreaming of theatrical creative concepts, baking new gluten free recipes for her daughter and grandson, home decorating, chocolate fudge sundaes, hats, walking the rose gardens in Portland with her daughter Summer, music of all kinds, but adored the band "BQ Ocean Blu" and being at the ocean. All her grandchildren reveled in the stories of the Florida wetlands of her childhood, with a cast of relatives and alligators serving equal roles. Her son-in-law especially enjoyed her cooking and invited her over to produce a pot roast dinner when available. LaRetta loved her grand-children with all her heart and enjoyed attending all of their activities, which she did faithfully up to her calling from God. They called her "Grandma-Ma", a name she felt was so "Grand" and one that she felt reflected that she was in the best role of her life. LaRetta is survived by her daughters, Amber Shandrae Arnett-Bequeaith and husband, David Michael of Colleyville, Texas and Summer Dawn Arnett of Portland, Oregon; her Mother Joy Oleta Summers, of Preston, Missouri; one brother, Monty Ray Summers of Lee's Summit, Missouri; two sisters, DeLonna Rose McCutchen and husband, Jim of Warsaw, Missouri and Tweet Summers of Kansas City, Missouri; four grandchildren, Savannah Rae Bequeaith, Beau Alexander Bequeaith, Dylan Maxwell Bequeaith, and Drake Allen Bequeaith; along with many other beloved friends and relatives. Funeral and Reception will be held Monday, July 27, 2015 at 6:00 p.m. at Church of the Resurrection, Wesley Covenant Chapel in Leawood, Kansas. Visitation will be held Tuesday, July 28, 2015, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Hedges-Scott Funeral Home in Camdenton, Missouri. Graveside Service and Interment will be Wednesday, July 29, at 10:00 a.m. at Little Niangua Cemetery in Preston, Missouri with a family gathering at her home, following.