Ms. Cynthia Nevels

Ms. Cynthia Nevels Obituary Cynthia Denise Nevels, of Blue Springs, Missouri passed away on January 16, 2025. Our hearts are broken but no words can do justice to the joy she brought to our lives and those who knew her. Cindy, as she was known to family and friends, was born August 9, 1961, in Sumter, SC.
It was fun growing up in a small community where everybody knew your name. However, it was really tough saying goodbye to life-long friends when her parents, Charlotte and Len Nevels informed her they would be moving to a new military assignment in Japan. While there she continued participating as a Girl Scout and enjoyed a very rare experience of being invited into the private home of a Japanese family. And although the parents did not speak any English, Cynthia who never met a stranger enjoyed a grand up-close view of her new girl scout friend and family for an incredible weekend adventure.
Several years later when the family returned to the states they landed in the Mid-West near Kansas City, MO. One sunny mid-morning she glimpsed a somewhat familiar face while waiting in a crowd to cross a very busy intersection on the Kansas City Plaza. The two finally compared notes and realized their paths had crossed over 6,000 miles away while attending Yakota High School in Japan. After graduating from Blue Springs High School and attending college for a while, she explored careers in telecommunications, financial services, and entrepreneurship along with food and beverage management/ concierge services. Cynthia was inspired by her excellent Girl Scout training received in handling inventory, salesmanship and basic accounting principles. Years later, she earned a stellar baking reputation and nick name as thee Cookie Lady for her own unique tasting cookies and brownies. She was even once offered shelf space on the cookie isle at a popular grocery chain.
Neither age or station in life interfered with her wonderful ability to find joy and potential in almost everyone encountered along the way. No one was too young or too old to bask in the warmth of Cynthias Grandmotherly charm, receive sage advice and/or a shoulder to lean on. Many who experienced her charm have often deemed themselves as having been Touched by an Angel.
Survivors include her father, Colonel T. Len Nevels; aunts and uncles: Georgiana Frazier, Harold Nevels, Sr. M.D., Rev. Harry Nevels, Jr., Michelle Nevels, and Yolanda Wilson; Children: David Nevels, Donikea Hess-Hightower, DeShawn Rooney; grandchildren: Caleigh, Kitana, Kasen, Camden Nevels; Dondre and Devion Hess; Aaliya, Kaiden and Zarick Rooney; multiple cousins and extended family; early childhood playmate and cousin Yvette Frierson-Bannister; longtime friend and fellow homeless advocate Larry Stanley, and her ever loyal and furry Peanut.
Cynthia was preceded in death by her mother Charlotte Nevels; grandparents George and Maggie Wilson and Harry and Mary Nevels, Sr.; aunts and uncles: Lizzie Jackson, Douglas Wilson, James Nevels, Janice Canada, Suzy Nevels, and close friend Leonard Rooney.
A Joyful Service will be shared at Watkins Heritage Chapel, 4000 Cleaver II Blvd., KCMO 64130 on Friday, January 31, 2025, with Viewing: 10:00 to 11:00 am; Service: 11:00am. Internment: Floral Hills Cemetery, 7000 Blue Ridge Blvd., KCMO. A Memorial Service will be held in the coming spring. In lieu of flowers, please consider supporting Ms. Cynthias ardent devotion to helping feed the homeless by donating to the Outreach Ministry at destinylifecenterministries.org. To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Ms. Cynthia, please visit our Tree Store.