Leatha A. Beavers

Leatha Ann Beavers, 83, of Olathe, Kansas, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, August 6, 2026, with her family by her side. She was born on October 14, 1942, in Great Bend, Kansas, the third of four children born to Harold and Elsie (Engel) Veatch.

Leatha is survived and will be deeply missed by her son, Larry Beavers and wife Missy of Overland Park, Kansas; her daughter, Sheila Taylor and husband Logan of Montrose, Missouri; her daughter, Stephanie Owen of Olathe, Kansas; her siblings, Charles Veatch and wife Fran, and Cynthia Scanlon and husband Gale; her grandchildren, Cameron Hurst and wife Heather, Brandon Beavers and wife Josie, Zachary Taylor, Christina Whiteside, Samantha Wheatley and husband Ethan, Cadence Owen, Karyna Owen, and Caber Owen; twelve great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Leatha graduated from Preston High School in 1960 and went on to earn her associate degree from St. John’s College before becoming a kindergarten teacher at First Lutheran School. Her dedication to children and students continued throughout more than three decades in the Shawnee Mission School District, including 25 years as the school secretary at Overland Park Elementary School.

Those who knew Leatha were blessed by her strength, integrity, patience, humility, and unwavering love. She carried herself with quiet resilience and offered a comforting presence to everyone around her. With a wonderful sense of humor and a gift for making others feel at home, Leatha became the kind of person people wanted to be near. Above all, she had a deep love and devotion for her Savior, Jesus Christ. She was a steady source of encouragement, a beautiful role model for her family, and a supportive presence whose unconditional love will remain a lasting legacy in the lives of all who were fortunate enough to know her.

Leatha’s story with Charles began early, when the two met as fourth graders in Preston, Kansas. What started as a childhood friendship grew into a lifelong love, and they were married on January 13, 1963. Together, Charles and Leatha built a life centered on family, devotion, and the simple but lasting joys of being together. Their greatest blessings were their three children, Larry, Sheila, and Stephanie, and Leatha poured her heart into creating a home where each person felt welcomed, supported, and deeply loved. Creating and maintaining Christmas holiday traditions was especially important to Leatha, and she always made the season special, creating cherished memories the family looked forward to year after year.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Harold Veatch and Elsie Spangler; her husband, Charles Beavers; her grandson, Ryan Beavers; and her brother, Stephen Veatch.

A memorial service will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, August 21, 2026, at Penwell-Gabel’s Olathe Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions in Leatha’s memory be made to Olathe Hospice House, located on the KU Medical Campus at 15310 S. Marion St., Olathe, KS 66061.

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