Delores Ann Maples

Delores Ann Maples, 94, of Sedalia, Missouri, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, at Sylvia G. Thompson Residence Center in Sedalia. She was born on October 14, 1931, in Norton, Kansas, the daughter of Paul Edwards Roberts and Georgetta Marie (Jackson) Roberts, who preceded her in death.

On June 30, 1950, at East Sedalia Baptist Church in Sedalia, she was united in marriage to Cecil M. Maples, who preceded her in death on July 24, 2010. Together they shared 60 years of marriage.

Delores devoted her early years to being a stay-at-home mother, pouring her love and energy into raising her family. Yet her enterprising spirit always shined. She served neighbors and friends through in-home hair styling, floral arranging, and the home décor pieces she designed and made with care. When her youngest child reached middle school, she began working at Merle Norman Cosmetics in downtown Sedalia, where she spent years helping women and young ladies learn skin care and makeup techniques. She especially enjoyed helping girls feel confident as they prepared for prom. After moving from Sedalia to Barnett, Delores worked for several years as a cooking assistant in the Eldon School System, where she formed lasting friendships and enjoyed being around the elementary school children.

Family was the heart of Delores' life, and she and Cecil created a lifetime of memories through travel. Their annual family road trips, often in Dad's big Buick LeSabre, to Yellowstone and the Smoky Mountains became treasured traditions, frequently including extended family as well. Later, after their children were grown, Delores and Cecil embraced RV life and enjoyed traveling with Delores' sisters and brothers-in-law, Rosalee and Bob Ramey, and Alice and Larry Todd. At family gatherings, Delores loved sharing the funny and adventurous stories from those trips, always bringing laughter to the room.

Delores is survived by two daughters, Gayle Maples of Jefferson City and Connie Mefford (Phillip) of Sedalia; a daughter-in-law, Galen Maples of Eldon; six grandchildren, Michael, Emily, Michaelyn, Nathan, Ryan, and Gregory; fourteen great-grandchildren; four sisters, Alice Todd (Larry) of Boonville, Sue Lynn Roberts of Marshall, Virginia Roberts of Kansas City, and Charlotte Ramey of Sedalia; a brother, Dennis Roberts (Brenda) of Sedalia; three sisters-in-law, Marcella Roberts, Jane Roberts, and Sherry Roberts; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family members.

In addition to her husband and parents, Delores was preceded in death by two sons, Mark Maples and Larry Maples; a sister, Rosalee Ramey (Bob); four brothers, Paul Roberts Jr., Leroy Roberts, Bobby Gene Roberts (Kay), and Terry Joe Roberts; and a brother-in-law, Gary Ramey.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at Rea Funeral Chapel. Burial will follow at Highland Sacred Gardens.

The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the chapel.

Memorial contributions may be made to Sedalia Open Door Ministries, in the care of Rea Funeral Chapel.

Arrangements are under the direction of Rea Funeral Chapel.