Leah Kathleen (Rutherford) Broyles

Leah Kathleen Broyles, daughter of Thomas and Nina (Roundtree) Rutherford, was born May 27, 1960 at the home of her parents in What Cheer, Iowa and passed away on Thursday, November 14, 2013 in the Cox Medical Center South in Springfield, Missouri, at 53 years of age.

She resided in Iowa until 1980, and then moved to Cabool, Missouri.

Leah married Bobby Edward Broyles, son of Freddy and Elizabeth Broyles, on February 14, 1982 in a private ceremony, at the home of her parents.

Following their marriage, Leah and Bobby lived in Mountain Grove for a few years before relocating to Cabool, Missouri. Together they raised twins, Daniel and Denise.

Leah was employed at various restaurants as a cook, and then began babysitting in her home. She loved her work as a caregiver for children. She stayed involved in many of their lives, as they became adults.

Leah had an unconditional love of children, but the absolute delights of her life were her two grandchildren, Hailey and Andy Strong. In practically every conversation Leah had with her family and friends, she spoke fondly of them.

She enjoyed spending time with her family and friends. She loved quilting and crafting, and was very involved in the Mt. Pisgah Ladies Aide. She was always working on some type of rug, scratcher, towel or quilt. Leah was always talking about making her deadline for the Ladies Aide Fundraisers.

Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Bobby Edward Broyles; a sister: Linda Jones McKee; two brothers-in-law: Dallas Hill and Joe Broyles; and by a sister-in-law: Dorthea Jacobson.

She is survived by her children: Daniel Broyles and his twin sister, Denise Strong; two grandchildren, Hailey and Andy; two sisters: Rosy (Melvin) Fry, and Jenny (Kelly) McDowell, all of Eddyville, Iowa; a brother-in-law: Richard Broyles of Cabool, Missouri; three sisters-in-law: Alice Crocker, Mary Mainus and Marie Palkawitsh; and many loving nieces and nephews, and other relatives and friends.