Leatrice McCallop Obituary

Leatrice Yvonne's story began on October 10, 1933. She was the middle (fourth) child of seven children born to William and Helen (Harvey) Galvin in Saint Louis, Missouri.

Educated in Catholic Schools, as a teenager, she moved to Kansas City, Missouri, where her older sister, Willa Mae lived to attend R.T. Coles Vocational School (now Lincoln College Preparatory School) for homemaking and piano.
                                         
Years later, Leatrice met and married Vernon E. “Buddy” Graves of Holliday, Kansas (now Shawnee). From their union,
they created five children: Linda, Vernon, Jr., Karen, Maryhelen, and Jeffrey.

In 1953, she confessed a hope in Jesus and was baptized. She was a charter member of Community Baptist Church. Faithful to Community Baptist for over 70 years, she served as a Sunday School Teacher, Deaconess, Usher, and a Kitchen Hostess for visiting churches.

Married with five children, Leatrice went back to school to earn a diploma from DeSoto High School in May 1965. During the time of segregation, Leatrice was one the first African American women to graduate from DeSoto High School. This was one of her greatest accomplishments in addition to being a wife and mother.

Leatrice was not a stranger to hard work! Before her mother’s passing in 1969, she found employment with the U.S. Postal Service in various positions. She served as a Mail Clerk, Carrier, and Manager. She remained at the Post Office until her retirement.

After “Buddy’s” passing in September, 1974, Leatrice later met and married Rudolph H. McCallop in July, 1980. From his previous marriage, a son, Rudolph, Jr. (“Sonny”) was added.

Leatrice had a hospitality spirit. She LOVED to entertain family and friends. She enjoyed being a road warrior, chatting on the phone with siblings, relatives, and friends. She made a name for herself as a great cook, keeping notes (neat handwriting), loads of photographs, newspaper clippings, and a special and individual bonding relationship between all of her grandchildren. She also made a large impact while assisting with the forming of two-family reunions: Galvin-Harvey as well as McCallop-Graves-Mitchell.

At 92 years, Leatrice answered God’s call to “come home” on Wednesday, March 18, 2026. She was preceded in rest by husband, Vernon E. Graves; two sons, Vernon E. Graves, Jr. and Rudolph H. McCallop, Jr.; one daughter, Karen Graves Mcallop; four siblings: Willa Mae Bean, Costella Ruffin, Charles Galvin, and William Galvin.

She leaves to celebrate her life and legacy: her husband of 45 years, Rudolph “Rudy” H. McCallop of Lenexa, Kansas; two daughters, Linda Browne and Maryhelen Graves-Heggie of Lenexa, Kansas; one son, Jeffrey (Doris) Graves of Fontana, Kansas; two daughters-in-law, Mary Graves of Kansas City, Kansas and Sidney Perkins-McCallop of Kansas City, Missouri; two sisters-in-law, Judy Williams of Grandview, Missouri and Joyce Myers (Michael) of Maplewood, New Jersey; five generations of grandchildren, Tamara Browne, Harrison H. McCallop, III, Shamona Graves, Marques T. Browne (Toi), Dwight D. Lewis, Sha’Laun (Chase) Johnson, Tinea L. (Loren) Canady, Jeffrey L. (Cambrien) Graves, and Isaac Graves-Heggie. She also leaves her oldest brother, Elmer Galvin of Saint Louis, Missouri; her youngest sister, Gloria (Thomas) Barnes of Saint Louis, Missouri; along with many nieces, nephews, cousins, many friends, and her Community Baptist Church Family.

Thoughtful care and services provided by E. S. Eley & Sons Funeral Chapel, Inc.