Leann Polen, of Carrollton, Missouri, and formerly of Fort Scott, Kansas, completed her life journey at her home at 5:07 p.m., Monday, October 9, 2023, with her loving family surrounding her.

She graced us with her presence for fifty-seven years, three months, and one day.

On July 8, 1966, in Fort Scott, Kansas, Robert Dale and Wilma Christine (Bussell) Shores welcomed their youngest daughter Dorthy Leann. She joined a brother, Rick, and a sister, Janet.

Leann enjoyed school, especially cheerleading, and was an avid tennis player. She graduated from Fort Scott High School with the class of 1984 while obtaining her Associate of Arts degree from Fort Scott Community College and her Bachelor in Sociology from Baker University. While attending Baker University, she met the love of her life, Ben. They began dating in February 1987 and felt instantly connected; by April, they were head over heels in love, felt their courtship was lifelong, and became engaged. A few months later, on August 1, 1987, they were united in marriage in Fort Scott, Kansas, and to this union were born three sons, Dallas, Spencer, and Benjamin “Luke.” They spent their honeymoon at the family cabin in Minnesota, and for the next thirty-six years, they made many lasting memories and an everlasting legacy.

Before the boys were grown, Leann was a social worker with the Missouri Division of Family Services. She spent the rest of her life as a homemaker, wife, and mother to their three boys. She was perfectly made to be a mother of three sons, remaining diligent yet firm but always showing them support and unconditional love. She was connected in the community and was a member of Beta Sigma Phi, the prestigious Carrollton Women’s Club, and Carrollton Kiwanis Club. She served on the Carroll County Arts Association and Carrollton YMCA boards.

She also served as a board member for the Hale School District, Carrollton School District and Carroll County Trust Company.

Leann was a genuine and classy lady who loved life. She understood how every day was a gift, by the age of ten when she had a life-threatening brain abscess that left top neurologists with only the choice of performing an experimental surgery to save her life. She knew that she had a purpose and persevered to live her life to the fullest.

Her passion was playing and coaching tennis, beginning as a high school freshman and playing through her college time at Baker University. After relocating to Carroll County, she began coaching tennis privately at the YMCA, later coaching at Chillicothe High School and Carrollton High Schools, leading a team to the state level and placing fourth in Missouri.

Anyone who met Leann would soon know she was a diehard Kansas City Chiefs fan, including her son’s friends, who were always welcome in their home but were aware that she could transition effortlessly when the Kansas City Chiefs were playing.

Her two favorite things in life were the Kansas City Chiefs and Diet Coke. Leann especially loved the water, preferably the beach, but she enjoyed soaking up the sunshine in her pool at home. Her favorite place is Rendezvous Beach in the British West Indies in Anguilla. Ben and the boys preferred the family cabin in Minnesota, and Leann, because of her love for Ben and the boys, adapted and began to appreciate the lake and woods; she enjoyed their family cabin trips.

The highlight of her life was becoming a grandmother, “Gigi”; she quickly slid into the role and made it look seamless. Her grandbabies were the sunshine she required, and she loved them so dearly.

Leann is survived by her parents, Robert and Wilma Shores of Fort Scott, Kansas; her loving and devoted husband, Benjamin Polen, of the home; three children, Dallas R. Polen of Carrollton, Spencer J. Polen (Jessica Smith) of Carrollton, Benjamin Luke Polen (McKayla) of Lee’s Summit; a brother, Rick Shores (Linda) of Texarkana, Texas; a sister, Janet Fancher (Reggie) of Fort Scott, Kansas; two grandchildren, Savannah Leann Polen and Benjamin Reid Polen.

She was preceded in death by her father-in-law, D. Allen Polen; mother-in-law, Emmalie “Emmie” Caroline Polen-Cowherd; uncle, Richard (Dick) Shores; and cousin, Heidi Shores.

There will be a visitation to embrace the incredible life of Leann and for family and friends to join and share in their memories on Thursday, October 19, 2023, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Foster Funeral Chapels, Carrollton, Missouri.

A funeral service will commence at Carrollton United Methodist Church at 11:00 a.m., Friday, October 20, 2023, with Rev. Poese Vatikani officiating.

If you are considering a memorial contribution in memory of Leann, they are humbly suggested to the United Methodist Church Scholarship Fund or Carrollton High School Tennis Team.

Foster Funeral Chapels, Carrollton, Missouri. Online Condolences may be left for the family on our website,www.fosterfuneralchapels.com, or connect with them on our business Facebook page: Foster Family Funeral Chapel and Cremation Services, LLC.

Carma Jean Tucker, age 63, of Fort Scott, Kansas, died early Saturday, October 14, 2023, after a long battle with breast cancer.

Carma was born on September 4, 1960, in Gravette, Arkansas, to Rev. James David and Betty Jean Bergen Tucker, the fourth of six children.

As a pastor’s kid, Carma attended school in Gravette, Arkansas, El Monte, California, and Fort Scott, Kansas, where she graduated from Fort Scott Christian Heights. She was employed as a waitress at Flanner’s Owl Roost, and in the meat department of grocery stores in Gravette and Miami, Oklahoma. She retired from R&R Solutions in Gravette, when she moved to Fort Scott to care for her parents as their health declined. She lovingly cared for her father until his death in 2021, and cared for her mother until Carma’s own health rapidly declined in recent weeks.

Carma loved her home on the family land in Arkansas, where she enjoyed tending to her chickens and flowers. She loved nature, and was always collecting items to decorate her home and gardens. She enjoyed Southern Gospel music, and her family finds great comfort in knowing that she had accepted Christ as her Savior.

Carma fiercely loved her friends and family, but her greatest joy was found in her four sons: Landon (Nancy) Simons, and Jayce Simons all of Fort Scott; Dakota Simons of Fort Collins, Colorado, and Tucker “TJ” Grigsby of Saint Petersburg, Florida, and her beloved grandchildren: Kinsey and Hunter Simons, and Sydney Cullison.

Carma is also survived by her mother, Betty Jean Tucker, brothers Roger (Genie) Tucker, Mark (Brenda) Tucker, Joe (Belinda) Tucker, sister Kerri (Kirk) Bland, and sister-in-law Carolyn Tucker. She was proceeded in death by her father, Rev. James David Tucker, and a brother, Jimmy Tucker. Carma is also survived by a host of loved ones from her large family, and many friends who became a second family, especially her co-workers at R&R Solutions.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM on Friday, October 20, 2023, at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will follow in the Clarksburg Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5:00 – 7:00 PM Thursday at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Memorials are suggested to Care to Share, and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S Main, PO Box 347, Fort Scott, KS. 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.