Mildred Louise Kaye

Mildred Louis (Tompkins) Kaye

Mildred Louise (Tompkins) Kaye, 96, died peacefully of natural causes surrounded by her family on October 7, 2022, in Independence, MO. She was known for lighting up every room with her warm smile and for finding a connection with anyone, of any age, anywhere.

Mildred was born in Wheeling, Missouri on May 17, 1926, to Frank Cornelius and Ethel Ann (Harris) Tompkins. She was preceded in death by her husband of 49 years, John William “Bill” Kaye of Kansas City, MO, and her elder brother, Harris Stanley Tompkins, and his wife, Jane, of Independence, MO. She is survived by William “Bill” Thomas Wilhite of Independence, MO. They shared their life together for over twenty years. She is also survived by three daughters from her marriage: Elizabeth Ann Kaye Tryneski (John), Mary Kaye Schulte (Rick), and Billie Kaye Robinson, as well as five grandchildren: John Michael Tryneski (Kate Burman), Peter Schulte (Anita), Amanda Kaye Schulte, Kate Schulte Visser (Brad); and Richelle Millicent Robinson, and one great-grandchild, Allison Visser. Mildred is also survived by her sister-in-law, Vera Kaye, of Sumner, MO. Mildred also had two non-officially adopted daughters who survive her: Dana Louise (Tompkins) Dillon of Independence, MO, and Patricia Michelle Julia Bernhardt of Denton, MD. Mildred was blessed with many nieces and nephews and their families.

Mildred was a strong member of her community. She graduated from Wheeling High School and Chillicothe Business College. As a single woman, she worked for the Chillicothe Constitution-Tribune, John Hancock Life Insurance Company, and the University of Missouri Extension Service. While raising her family she was active in the American Legion Auxiliary, The Forty and Eight, and served eight years as Township Representative for the Clay County Board of the University of Missouri Extension Service. She was a founding member of the “Chattering Chicks” Extension Service Club, chartered in 1958, and was for 75 years a member of the Royal Neighbors of America. She was a member and Deacon of the Englewood Baptist Church of Kansas City and a secretary there for 12 years. As her children matured, she took on a Welcome Wagon Hostess position. She then worked as an Executive Secretary for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas City, Dean’s Fairmount Underground Downtown Industrial Park, Home State Bank, and Centennial Bank and Trust. She earned her Missouri Real Estate Sales and Broker License and went on to work for New Mark Realtors, Kroh Brothers Realtors, and Acuff & Rhodes Realtors.

A graveside service will be held on Monday, October 10, 2022, at Wheeling Cemetery, Wheeling, MO. Memorial contributions may be made to the Wheeling Baptist church and may be mailed to or left at Lindley Funeral Home, P.O. Box 47, Chillicothe, Missouri, 64601. Online condolences may be made at www.lindleyfuneralhome.com .
A memorial service will be announced for a later date.

A memorial service will be held Tuesday, November 22, 2022, at Maywood Baptist
Church, 10505 Winner Rd, Independence, MO, 64052, at 2:00 p.m.

Arrangements are under the direction of Lindley Funeral Home, Chillicothe, Missouri.