Leona Morgan

(From Mason-Woodard Mortuary)

Leona J. Morgan, age 84, of Joplin, MO, passed away on October 5, 2025. Leona was born on July 20, 1941, in Pawhuska, OK, and moved to Joplin, MO, with her parents, Carol Eugene and Alice Leona (Wells) Carlile, in 1949. She married her husband, Ernest Howard Morgan, on May 16, 1961, in Joplin, MO. Leona faithfully served the community as an LPN for Dr. Borello for many years until her retirement.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Ernest Morgan; parents, Carol and Alice Carlile; sister, Claudette Brown; brother, Steve Carlile; and one daughter, Carol Kyler. Leona is survived by one daughter, Paula Davis; four grandchildren, Daniel Sandoval (Sarah), Mark Sandoval, Morgan Ritter (Blake), and Kylie Smart (Mack); eight great-grandchildren, Emily, Harmony, Darian, Danika, Carter, Barrett, Paige, and James.

Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, October 10, 2025, at Mason-Woodard Mortuary, 3701 E 7th St, Joplin, MO 64801.

Jean was beloved, with many friends over the years, and always had only a kind word to say. She was soft-spoken and caring, with a love for painting and crafting, reading, and tending to her garden, flowers, and blackberry bushes. She enjoyed visiting Branson to explore the antique malls and always cherished spending time with her family and grandchildren. She was the favorite lap for family pets and found great joy in making holiday meals while passing down the cherished tradition of Christmas cookie baking. Though she didn’t particularly like pancakes, she always accepted the ones her husband made for her—bigger than the paper plate. She deeply loved their many family dogs over the years, as well as some more unique pets, including rabbits, chickens, raccoons, Snowball the cat, and even a beaver.

She will be lovingly remembered and deeply missed by all whose lives she touched.