Theresa Rose Eads

Theresa Rose Eads, 70, of Florence, MO, passed away on Monday, July 29, 2024, at Bothwell Regional Health Center in Sedalia. She was born on January 7, 1954, in Hot Springs, AR, the daughter of John Dee Hunt, who preceded her in death, and Gertrude Irene (Musslin) Hunt, who resides in Sedalia.

On June 16, 1973, in Sedalia, MO, she was united in marriage to Richard Lee Eads, who preceded her in death on May 17, 2022.

Theresa was a graduate of Smith-Cotton High School, class of 1972. She was very active in the Jazz and Stage Band, playing the saxophone. In the fall of 1972, Theresa started dating the love of her life, Richard Eads. They married the following summer at St. Patrick's Church, where they continued to worship. Richard and Theresa built their life on Eads Hill in rural Morgan County. Over the course of the following six years, they welcomed two amazing daughters and raised them with a hard work ethic and a love for the outdoors. Theresa "Grandma T" especially loved her family and cherished spending time with her grandkids.

Her love for education and being a child advocate started when she began her career as a teacher's aide at Hubbard School in Sedalia. After starting a family with Richard, Theresa followed her career aspirations by achieving her Bachelor of Education and Master's in Counseling at the University of Central Missouri, all while continuing to work full-time. In the more than 40 years of her teaching and counseling career, the impact on students and families in the Sedalia School District was profound. She was especially proud to have started the Safety Patrol and Military Student Support programs.

From Jeep rides, shooting sports, hunting, gardening, fishing, baking award-winning pies, traveling, riding her dirt bike in poker runs, Theresa was very adventurous and loved anything outdoors. She was the biggest St. Louis Cardinals fan, never missing a game. Her love for the St. Louis Cardinals, hunting, fishing, and her pie crust recipe will live on with her daughters and grandchildren.

In addition to her mother, Theresa is survived by two daughters, Rose Martin (Roy) of Green Ridge and Jessica Craig (Brandon) of Florence; five grandchildren, Dylan Martin, Ashlee Martin, McKinzey Craig, Savannah Craig, and Elliott Craig; two sisters, Loretta Nye of Green Ridge and Monica Holman (Gary) of Sedalia; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

In addition to her husband and father, Theresa was preceded in death by a brother, Lawrence "Shorty" Hunt.

Funeral services will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 3, 2024, at Rea Funeral Chapel.

Prayers of the Rosary will be at 10:45 a.m., with a visitation to follow until service time.

The burial will be at Olive Branch Cemetery, Beaman, MO.

Pallbearers will be Roy Martin, Brandon Craig, Dylan Martin, David Steiner, Jeffrey Cannon, and Jeffrey Ransdell.

Honorary bearers will be Loretta Nye, Barb Clifford, Marilyn Bahner, Danny Bahner, Mary Merk, Dusty Merk, Mike Bahner, Larry Meyer, and Norma Meyer.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Theresa Eads Scholarship Fund in the care of Rea Funeral Chapel.