Saturday, June 18, 2016

Tana Lloyd: beloved friend and Choir Director


Tana M. Lloyd (1949 - 2016)
Tana Marie Lloyd, age 67, passed away on June 21, 2016 at the Kansas City Hospice House in Kansas City, MO. Recently diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, which unfortunately had spread throughout her body, the hospice house offered her a comfortable place to graduate to her next life.
During her final days, she was blessed by visits by many loving family members, friends, neighbors, her church family, and even her dog Claire. The outpouring of love for her by those who knew her was inspiring, and she will be missed by many.



Memorial Service
Date: Saturday, June, 25, 2016
Time: 11am-Noon
Where: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
7100 Hadley St., Overland Park, KS 66204
Note: Please pass the word along to those who would like to attend - including non LDS folks.
Attendees: All friends and family are welcome and encouraged attend.

Tana’s Life
Tana was born in Upland, CA in 1949, the daughter of Vern & Lillie Newton and the second of five girls. In Tana’s younger years, the family moved from California to Milan, Missouri.  Tana loved school and excelled academically.  She enjoyed twirling the baton with the band and cheerleading.  She always had many of her high school friends with her wherever she went. Tana married James Richard Lloyd from Green City, Missouri. After their marriage, Tana and Richard moved to Kansas City, where Richard began working for the railroad.  Tana soon gave birth to her first child, Dianne, who was joined a short time later by their second child, Tara. Several fur babies followed!

Throughout Tana’s life, she never missed a beat! She had a terrific sense of humor and a dry wit that kept you on your toes.  She loved music and found many opportunities to share that love with others by teaching piano, participating in choirs and other musical performances, and leading her church choir. An extrovert in every way, she enjoyed acting in several community theatre plays, singing, dancing, playing board games and dominos, and reading mystery books.  Her bright red hair and the bling that she wore were trademarks that endeared her to everyone she met.  She had an outfit for every occasion, and always wanted to look her best wherever she went.  She loved a party, and was fond of saying afterwards that “a good time was had by all.”

A description of Tana’s life would be incomplete without recognizing her fur babies, who she loved dearly.  They kept her company at home and loved her unconditionally.  She lost her dear friend Daisy a few years ago, so she brought her a new dog she named Claire into her home, along with her cat Cosmo.  Tana was comforted to know that loving neighbors who will care for them adopted them both.

Tana was loved by so many. She never met a stranger, and her honest, smart and assertive style helped people feel comfortable around her immediately. She was a rare and shiny gem who will surely be one of the brightest stars in the heavens.

Family
Tana is survived by her daughters Tara Lloyd and Diane Gootee; her mother, Lillie Newton; sister Susan and her husband Russ Blood; sisters Lonna (aka Victoria) and Cheryl (aka Dusk); her dog Claire; her cat Cosmo; and a number of other relatives and close friends. She was predeceased by her father, Vern Newton, and her sister June Tipton, who are sure to be welcoming Tana to their heavenly home.

Strong Faith and Testimony
Tana was raised in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (“Mormon”) church and was an active member of the Overland Park Kansas 1st Ward. She was not bashful about sharing her testimony of and love for the gospel of Jesus Christ with others.  She served as the Ward’s choir director, piano player, teacher and more. Tana said she loved this ward because they accepted and loved her for who she was, and she loved the members of the ward dearly. Her church membership and ward family truly blessed her life.

Graveside service for immediate family members will be conducted at the Milan Missouri Cemetery.

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