Mary Virginia Westfall

Mary Virginia Westfall, 97, of Higbee, Missouri, died peacefully at home on Monday, January 20, 2025. 

She was born on April 20, 1927, in Higbee, Missouri, the first-born child to Odie Marion and Louise Denny (Burckhartt) Lyon. She had three siblings: Ruth Lyon Mitchell, Rodes Lyon & Robert (Marilyn) Lyon. Mary graduated from Higbee High School on May 11, 1945, and then married Everette Allen Westfall on July 12,1945, in Higbee, Missouri.

During her lifetime, she worked part time at McWilliams Grocery & several years at the Fayette Garment Factory. She was a member of the Higbee Baptist Church and was a Sunday School teacher and served as the church secretary. Mary was a board member of the Higbee Senior Housing and served 30+ years as a board member for the Higbee Senior Center. She enjoyed sewing and assisted her husband in hand making woven oak baskets. In 1984, they demonstrated the Folk Art White Oak Basket Making process at the World’s Fair held in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Mary is preceded in death by her parents, Odie Marion Lyon and Louise Denny Burckhartt Lyon; husband, Everette Allen Westfall; son, Ronald Allen Westfall; grandson, Leslie Allen Westfall and brother, Rodes Lyon.

She is survived by one daughter, Marilyn Kay Westfall Derboven; one daughter-in-law Carol Ann Westfall, of Paducah, Kentucky; three grandchildren, Jason Allen (Casey) Westfall, Anthony Rand Derboven and Brian Allen (Roberta) Derboven; seven great-grandchildren, Daina Derboven, Allie Derboven, Devinee Derboven, Brian Allen Derboven Jr., James Louis Derboven, Lukas Nathanyl Derboven and Carson Allen Westfall; and seven great-great grandchildren.

Donations in her memory are suggested to the Higbee Senior Citizens (205 Railroad Street, Higbee, Missouri 65257), Higbee Baptist Church (109 S Randolph Street, Higbee, Missouri 65257), or the charity of the donor’s choice. 

Services are scheduled for February 22, 2025, at Higbee Baptist Church with visitation from 1:00 P.M. to 2:00 P.M. and funeral at 2:00 P.M. Everyone is welcome to a carry-in meal which will follow in the church basement.

Local arrangements are under the direction of Pathway-Millard Family Funeral Chapel, 411 Union Avenue, Moberly, MO 65270 (660)263-7284. Condolences may be left online for the family at www.pathwaymemorial.com.