October 25, 2016

Joann Little Albright, 82, of La Cygne, Kan., passed on to her eternal home on Saturday, Oct. 22, 2016. Visitation will be held Wednesday, Oct. 26, from 5-7 p.m. at Schneider Funeral Home, La Cygne. Services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 27, at Joann’s church, Fontana Christian Church, Fontana.

(Mary) Joann Little was born in Delaware, Okla., Jan. 2, 1934, to Floyd and Sue (Reeves) Little. Joann is survived by her brother and his wife, Sidney and Deanie Little of Delaware, and their three children and families; her sisters-in-law, Delores Albright and Juanita Albright; and one aunt, Betty Whorten.

Joann Little married Oakley Albright on Oct. 10, 1954. He preceded her in death in 2008. 

In 1973, Oakley and Joann moved to La Cygne from Grandview, Mo. She worked as a cook at Prairie View High School for many years before retiring to work on china painting, crocheting and playing with grandchildren. Prior to that she was a homemaker and also provided daycare.

Joann is also survived by her six beloved daughters, Shirley Kinder and husband Stan of Paola, Judy Albright, Peggy Noel and husband Fred, Mary Shelton and husband Robert, all of LaCygne, Sherry Holmes and husband Todd of Paola, and Kathy Lewis and husband Ted of La Cygne; grandchildren Kevin Kinder, Kelly Childress, Sara Sweptson, Kenny Shelton, Gracie Shelton, Michelle Dawson, Nick Holmes, Tara Oliphant and Amanda Stanfill; and 11 great-grandchildren and another one due in December.

Community involvement and service was a cornerstone throughout Joann’s life. She became involved in Royal Neighbors of America while living in Grandview and continued her involvement after moving to La Cygne. With the RNA Neighbor Helping Neighbor program she held many leadership roles and donated thousands of hours of volunteer time helping others, especially children.

She enjoyed helping with the ham and bean dinner in conjunction with the Firefighters Auxiliary Community Care Program. It was held to raise money so local area children could have a better Christmas. It is this Community Care Program that her daughters have chosen for her memorial. Please direct memorials in Joann’s name to Community Care Program; donations will be handled by Schneider Funeral Homes, La Cygne, KS 66040. 

In a cookbook recently authored by her oldest daughter, Joann’s final quote reads as follows: “Oakley … retired in 1991. We bought a fifth wheel and traveled to Texas every winter. We enjoyed our 10 years on the road. I am still in our home. I’ve enjoyed my life and seen a lot of places. My daughters are my life. They all live within 20 miles of me and you can’t beat that.”