Leona Montgomery Galloway passed from this world November 10, 2023, in Columbia, Missouri. Leona was born December 13, 1931, in rural northeast Missouri, and was the only child of the late Dorthea Richardson and Duane Montgomery.
As was typical for her generation, she was born at home and did not have electricity, indoor plumbing or other modern conveniences for several years. Leona first attended a one room schoolhouse, Novinger schools and later graduated from Unionville, Missouri, High School. She also attended Northeast Missouri Teachers College. Freal Galloway and Leona met in high school, fell in love, and were married December 25, 1949. He passed away in 1996 giving them almost 50 years of marriage and life together.
Church was an important part of Leona’s life. As a teenager she was baptized in the icy waters of the pond on the family farm and was a lifelong member of the Church of Christ. For the last many years, she loved and was loved by the Central Church of Christ in Kirksville, Missouri.
Leona was a talented pianist, seamstress, artist and homemaker. Music gave her great joy and is a big part of her legacy. The home she created was full of good food, books, music, laughter, kids, their friends, their pets, grandkids and was a perfect place for holidays and making memories.
Leona is preceded in death by her parents, Dorthea and Duane Montgomery, husband Freal Galloway, daughter Karen Pyron and son-in-law Dan Todd. Surviving are children Sherry Todd of Bonner Springs, Kansas, Kim Galloway and Gwen of St. Louis, Missouri, Belinda Galloway Carpenter and Rick of Fayetteville, Arkansas, Brent Galloway and Sheila of Olathe Kansas, and son-in-law Jim Pyron of Joplin, Missouri. Grandchildren Luke Pyron, Jenny Pyron Cupp, Katrina Todd, Caleb Todd, Carrie Todd, Gideon Todd, Holly Galloway Villacres, Joe Galloway, Brock Carpenter, Nate Carpenter, Cassi Carpenter Walker, Lauran Galloway Albertson, Hannah Galloway Clark, Gunnar Galloway and Skye Galloway all loved her and will miss her presence in their lives. Also surviving are 13 great grandchildren.
The family is grateful for the nurses at University Hospital in Columbia and the loving caregivers at Knox County Nursing Home. In lieu of flowers, make a gift to a meaningful cause of your choice or simply do something loving for someone in need, remembering Leona as the kind soul that she was. A graveside service will be planned for a later date.
