LaDawn Waites

(From Parker Mortuary)

LaDawn Lynette Waites, age 49, Joplin, passed away on Manday, September 8, 2025 at a local hospital after a sudden illness.

LaDawn was born July 9, 1976 in Joplin, MO, daughter of the late David Eugene Waites and Carol L. (Hanson) Maples. She grew up in Anchorage, Ak. and graduated from high school there. She then came home to Joplin and completed her degree in Criminal Justice at Missouri Southern State University. She was a stay at home mom that loved to cook, and was known as a great cook. She enjoyed reading, but her true love was taking care of her son, Reed. She was a member of The Church of Jesus Christs of Latter-Day Saints in Joplin. She will be greatly missed by many.







She is survived by her son, Reed Waites of Joplin; mother, Carol Maples and husband Carl of Joplin; brother, Travis Waites and wife Emanne of Moscow, Russia; nephew, Tyler Waites and wife Hollis of Provo, UT, and a niece, Sora Waites of Seattle, WA, half sisters Manya Maples of Pittsburgh, KS, Tammy Gailey and husband Shan of Ochelata, OK; and Sonya Hamblin and husband Bob of Gallatin, TN.

Funeral service will be Saturday, September 13, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. in Parker Mortuary Chapel with Bishop Heath Merkley, officiating. The family will receive friends at Parker Mortuary on Saturday from 9:30 until service time. Interment will follow in Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery.

The family requests that memorial contributions be made to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Missionary Fund.