Claudette "Kay" Hobbs (La Cour)

Claudette “Kay” Hobbs (LaCour) 82 of Independence, MO, passed away Tuesday, November 11, 2025, at Season’s Memory Care in Kansas City, MO. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, November 26, 2025, at the Speaks Suburban Chapel with burial to follow at 12:00 p.m., Wednesday at the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Higginsville, MO. The family will greet friends from 9:00 a.m. until service time Wednesday at the chapel.

Kay was born on March 8, 1943, in Wichita, Kansas, to Walter and Pauline Wyant. She graduated from public schools in Wichita and earned her nurse’s certificate from St. Francis School of Nursing.

She married William Byfield in October 1963, and together they had two children, Brian and Lori. After their divorce, Kay married James LaCour, Jr., in December 1968, and they welcomed one child, Damon.

Kay then returned to school and completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Research School of Nursing. She served her community faithfully as a registered nurse in hospitals around the Kansas City area. Later in her career, she found her calling as a visiting nurse, offering care and compassion to patients in their homes.

In addition to her civilian career, Kay proudly served in the United States Army Reserve as a nurse for 20 years, from 1976 to 1996, retiring with the rank of Major. After Jim’s passing, she returned to the area, and in 2009 she married Leslie Hobbs.

Kay was active in the Reserve Officer Association and the Military Officers Association of America and enjoyed a wide range of hobbies, including bowling, square dancing, traveling, working puzzles, and reading. She also adored her cats, Teddy and Lucky. She was a member of Trinity Church of the Nazarene in Independence, MO.

Kay’s calling as a nurse stayed with her throughout her life. Even in assisted living, as she navigated dementia, she continued to believe she was on duty, offering help and comfort to the staff and residents around her. Caring for others was simply part of who she was.

Survivors include; 3 children, Damon LaCour (Brenda) of Lee’s Summit, MO, Lori Minor of Blue Springs, MO, and William “Brian” Byfield of Kearney, MO; siblings, Arthur “Sonny” Wyant of Wichita, KS, Stephanie Saulsberry (Daniel) of Pleasanton, KS, Steve Barlow of Topeka, KS, Mike Barlow (Susie) of Burlingame, KS; 5 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by husbands James LaCour, Jr. and Leslie Hobbs; her parents and stepmother, Bernice Wyant; siblings, Bennie Dale Wyant, Fayetta “Rae” Fox, Donna Lockwood and Bonnie Nelson; and grandson, Monti Minor.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.speakschapel.com (Arrangements: Speaks Suburban Chapel (816) 373-3600)