Lucille Elizabeth Hoover

Lucille “Lucy” Elizabeth (Barker) Hoover was born July 4, 1920, in Independence, KS, to Charles W. Barker and Emily (Gilkey) Barker. Lucy peacefully passed away March 2, 2025, at Montgomery Place at 104 years old. 

She married E. LeRoy Hoover on April 22, 1940, in Yuma, AZ. They briefly lived in CA and then made their home in Independence. They were married 52 years at the time of his passing in 1992. They had three daughters: Deanna Moore, Diana Redman, and Cathy Clay. 

She spent most of her childhood in Herd, OK, moving to Independence in 1936. She attended high school in Pawhuska, OK, and earned her GED in KS. She was an avid fan of Bulldog and Pirate football and basketball. She also loved the Kansas City Chiefs. Her favorite time of the year was when Independence celebrates Neewollah. Lucy would sit on a haybale and listen to the music on the bandstand and take her grandchildren to the musicals, talent shows, and coronations. She was famous for her chocolate sheet cakes, fried chicken, and hand-knitted washcloths. She loved babies and never met a stranger. Many hours were spent playing cards and dominoes with family and friends, everyone enjoyed it so much. Each summer she and LeRoy would travel across the country to the annual Barker Family Reunion where she would enjoy visiting with her many beloved nieces and nephews. She worked at F.W. Woolworth’s for 10 years and Reed’s IGA as a bookkeeper, where she retired after 20 years. She was a member of the United Congregational Church. 

She is survived by her daughters Diana of Independence and Cathy of Cherryvale as well as grandchildren Joseph (Vicki) Redman, Bill Dale Redman, Michael Redman, Debra Reece, Sally (Carl VanWagner) Clay, Laura (Robert) Stanley, and Cindy Carter. While she had 8 grandchildren, she was known as “Grandma Hoover” to many of her grandchildren's friends. She could be seen supporting her grandchildren in their many activities and endeavors. She also had 13 great-grandchildren. 

She is preceded in death by her loving husband LeRoy, her parents, her 7 siblings, her daughter Deanna, her grandson, Ronald Moore, II, and a great-granddaughter, Shawnee Redman. 

In addition to flowers, donations in her memory can be made to Friends of Riverside Park and Zoo (FORPAZ, Box 9, Independence, KS 67301).

Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, and funeral services will be held on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at Potts Chapel, Independence, KS with graveside services to follow at Mount Hope Cemetery by Riverside Park.