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.”
OBITUARIES
Burton Clyde Brownback ~ 05-21-1953 to 07-13-2025

Linn County News Published July 16, 2025 Burton Clyde Brownback, age 72, Tri-Ko resident in Osawatomie, Kan., passed away Sunday, July 13, 2025. He was born on May 21, 1953, in Kansas City, Mo., the son of Clyde and Shirley Drake Brownback. He graduated from Prairie View... [More]
Ruth Ann Antrim ~ 05-21-1951 to 07-07-2025

Linn County News Published July 16, 2025 Ruth Ann Antrim, formerly Hueston, passed away July 7, 2025, after bravely battling cancer for many years. Ruth Ann was 74 years old. She lived and worked in the Mound City and Fort Scott, Kan., areas her... [More]
Helen Maxine Wright ~ 05-28-1939 to 06-19-2025

Linn County News Published July 16, 2025 Helen Maxine Wright, age 86, formerly of Blue Mound, Kan., passed away at her home in Abbyville, Kan., on Thursday, June 19, 2025. Funeral service was held at 11 a.m., Monday, July 7, 2025, at the Community... [More]
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- Kelly Kehl ~ 03-25-1938 to 06-28-2025
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- Jackie Junior “Jack” Hewitt ~ 07-17-1935 to 06-18-2025
- Priscilla “Pat” Haney Smith ~ 11-19-1935 to 06-07-2025
- Ron Arbogast ~ 08-31-1946 to 06-05-2025
- Richard “Dick” Smith ~ 04-18-1942 to 06-22-2025
- Charles Edwin Sutterby ~ 06-20-1951 to 06-19-2025
NEWS
SPECIAL: Benefits question an issue for county employees

A poll sent to Linn County employees mid-week asking which benefit they would prefer to lose has created a spark of animosity among those who received it. One person anonymously shared it to a Mound City-oriented Facebook page as a screen shot along with their comments highlighting... [More]
Commissioners discuss various budgets

SEKMHC in mix At the end of a meeting attended by two of the three commissioners, a discussion was held regarding several of the proposed budgets for next year. Commissioners Alison Hamilton and Jim Johnson first discussed the proposed budget for Southeast Kansas Mental Health.... [More]
City learns of fire gear condition

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SPORTS
Nobodys wins Blue Mound co-ed softball tournament

The team called Nobodys wins the Blue Mound 4th of July co-ed softball tournament on July 5. This year the tournament consisted of eight teams. The Nobodys is Keith Morrell’s team and has been a part of the softball tournament since it started three years ago.
Pleasanton 12-14 baseball wins championship

The Pleasanton 12-14 baseball team wins their league tournament on June 30 to July 1. Pleasanton hosted the tournament and won in the championship against La Cygne 11-7.
More Sports
- Summer Ball Tournaments
- Summer Ball Tournaments
- Pleasanton/Jayhawk trapshooting team places seventh at State, Wallace earns State championship
- Joey Ewalt impacting youth wrestling here and abroad
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- Pleasanton and Jayhawk baseball on the 2025 All TRL team
- Jayhawk Linn softball has three All TRL unanimous selections
- Trenton Broyles leads Hawks at State track
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Call Barbara at 913-352-6235 or e-mail linncountynewsreporter@gmail.com

