Elma Black

Elma Mae (Lappine) Sanders-Black was born September 15, 1918 in Weston, Missouri and departed this life on April 16, 2016 at John Knox Hospice House, Lee’s Summit, MO, surrounded by the love of her family, at the age of 97 years, 7 months and 1 day.

She was the daughter of William and Idabelle (Lackenly) Lappine. Elma grew up and attended high school in North Kansas City, MO. She was united in marriage with Harold “Sandy” Sanders and to this union two daughters, Janet and Sandra were born. Sandy preceded Elma in death on January 1, 1983. Later Elma married Steven Black, who also preceded her in death.
Elma had worked for several well known department stores in Kansas City as a saleswomen in the shoe department, among them were Woolf Brothers, Harzfield’s, Emery, Bird, Thayer, and Adler’s, where she worked for many years. Elma had also worked for Walmart in Liberty, Missouri. After she retired, Elma moved to Pleasant Hill to make her home.
Not one to sit idle, when Elma heard that Pleasant Hill was going to have a McDonalds, she promptly applied for a job, attended training classes and was among the first employees to help open the new McDonalds. Elma served as the first McDonalds dining room hostess in Pleasant Hill, and was proud of the fact that she made the first breakfast burrito served at the Pleasant Hill location. Elma retired from McDonalds in 2012 at the age of 93.

In addition to both her husbands, Elma was preceded in death by her parents, William and Idabelle Lappine; two grandsons, Kevin and Gregory Cline; four sisters and five brothers.
Elma is survived by two daughters, Janet Cline and husband Neal of Pleasant Hill, MO., and Sandra Brouhard of Lee’s Summit, MO. three grandchildren, Cliff Cline and wife Jane of North Kansas City, MO., Kirt Kimmerer and wife Cindy of Liberty, MO and Kimberlee Wishon and husband Mark of Lee’s Summit, MO.; ten great-grandchildren, 12 great-great grandchildren, other relatives and many, many friends.

In Memory of Elma Mae (Lappine) Sanders Black, a Graveside Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, April 21, 2016 at the Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Pleasant Hill, Missouri, with Rev. Jay Collins officiating. Music will be provided by Sharla Whitsitt.

Arrangements: Wallace Funeral Home, Pleasant Hill, MO.