Bedonna Jean Gordon, 86, died on January 24, 2016 in Flower Mound, Texas with her family by her side. Bedonna was born to Ruth Marie (Moore) White and Truman Ben White on April 7, 1929, in Blythedale, Missouri. She graduated from Blythedale High School in 1947 and attended Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, Missouri where she received a Bachelor’s degree in l951. She majored in elementary education and was an active member of Delta Sigma Epsilon social sorority. While attending college, she met the love of her life, Richard Lee Gordon and they were married June 8, 1952 at the Blythedale Christian Church.
As a young girl, Bedonna was active in the Blythedale 4-H Club and was involved in many projects and enjoyed showing Black Angus cattle at the fair. She and a friend also gave a demonstration at the state fair in Sedalia, Mo. and received a purple ribbon. She was a member of the Blythedale Christian Church where she served as a Sunday school teacher. After graduating from Northwest Missouri State University, Bedonna was hired by the North Kansas City school system where she taught 1st grade. After her marriage to Richard Gordon in l952, she was employed as a member of the teaching staff at Indiana University while her husband attended graduate school.
After Richard completed his graduate degree, they were stationed in Oahu, Hawaii where he served in the Navy. While they lived in Hawaii two sons were born, Richard Lee Gordon II in l955 and Larry Allen Gordon in l956. When they returned to Missouri, they made their home in Kansas City. They were happy to announce the arrival of Bedonna Ruth Gordon in l962. When the children were young, Bedonna remained in the home and was a loving wife and a devoted mother. Church attendance and participation was always an important part of her life. She was involved in multiple volunteer school functions as well as Boy Scout and Indian Princess Activities. The family has many happy memories of their camping vacations together. Bedonna also was employed as a substitute teacher and served in 3 school districts in Kansas City, Missouri.
In l988, Dick and Bedonna moved to Flower Mound, Texas where Dick was employed and Bedonna became a volunteer in the Trietsch Memorial United Methodist Church library for many years. During her life, she took pleasure in traveling with family members, reading, and playing cards with friends, (especially if she was winning). She enjoyed attending Bible study, Sunday school and the friendship of class members. Bedonna was known as a kind, thoughtful and loving person to her many friends and family members and will be missed by all who knew her.
Bedonna was preceded in death by her parents, Truman and Ruth White and her grandson, Tyler Gordon. She is survived by her husband, Richard Gordon; two sisters, Joy Ann (Bill) Lynch of Kansas City, Missouri; Betty (Dr. Phillip) Baker of Topeka, Kansas and one brother, Jim (Mary Lou) of Blythedale, Missouri. Two sons Richard, (Sandy Lee) Gordon of Sugarland, Texas; Larry, (Jennifer) Gordon of Houston, Texas; and one daughter, Bedonna Gordon of Flower Mound, Texas; four grandchildren, Amanda Gordon, Jennifer Gordon and Brittany Gordon, Ashley LoParo, ( Matthew) and three great grandchildren; one step-grandchild plus numerous nephews and nieces.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in her name to the Christian Community Action (CCA) in Lewisville, Texas which provides assistance to those less fortunate.