Leila Rakes

(From Parker Mortuary)

Leila Fern Rakes, age 86, Carl Junction, passed away on Sunday, November 12, 2023 at her home with family at her side.

Leila was born November 18, 1936 in Miami, OK, one of seven children born to the late Corbin S. Newman and Leona M. (Albro) Newman. She grew up in Miami and graduated from Miami High School in 1955. 

She worked for Mid Con Cables, then FAG Bearing where she worked for over 21 years, and finally 4 years with the Joplin Senior Center before retiring. She loved her family very much and enjoyed all the family gatherings over the years. She was a member of The Well Church in Carl Junction.

In addition to her parents, Leila was preceded in death by two grandsons, Timothy Paul Clemons and Robert James Hays, II., along with two sisters, Sandra Kay Howard, Pat Vanderham and a brother, Walter Newman.

Survivors include her four daughters, Toni Manning (Art Fluker) of Joplin, Lisa Richardson (Chet) of Manchester, NH, Connie Hays (Bob) of Carl Junction, Teri Bley (Doug) of Nevada, MO, grandchildren, Chad Hays (Amanda) of Joplin, Gabriel Hays (Shannon) of Webb City, Davin Boyes (Kellie) of Independence, KS, Colby Boyes (Shannon) of Carl Junction, Skyler Hays of Carl Junction, and Michael Cargille of Joplin; great-grandchildren, Will, Emma Grace, and Gannon Hays, Aiden and Chole Boyes, Jayden and Jace Boyes, Trevor Cargille, Braden Burnett; great-great-granddaughter, Dior Hays; brothers, Corbin L. Newman of Bartlesville, OK and Richard Newman (Carol) of Owasso, OK; sisters, Peggy Miller (C.B.) of Bartlesville, OK, Toni Manning; several nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Tuesday, November 21, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. at The Well (formerly First Methodist of Carl Junction).

The family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Ronald McDonald House or the Lafayette House in memory of Leila.

Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Parker Mortuary.