Mildred Louise (Tompkins) Kaye, 96, died peacefully of natural causes surrounded by her family on October 7, 2022, in Independence, Mo. Mildred was born in Wheeling, Mo. on May 17, 1926, to Frank Cornelius and Ethel Ann (Harris) Tompkins. She was preceded in death by her husband of 49 years, John Willam “Bill” Kaye of Kansas City, Mo., and her elder brother, Harris Stanley Tompkins, and his wife, Jane, of Independence.
She is survived by William “Bill” Thomas Wilhite of Independence. They shared their life together for over 20 years. She is also survived by three daughters from her marriage: Elizabeth Ann Kaye (John Tryneski), Mary Kaye Schulte (Rick), and Billie Kaye Robinson, as well as five grandchildren: John Michael Tryneski (Kate), Peter Schulte (Anita), Amanda Kaye Schulte, Kate Schulte Visser (Brad) and Richelle Millicent Robinson, as well as greatgrandchild Allison Visser. Mildred is also survived by her sister-in-law, Vera Kaye, of Sumner, Mo. and “additional daughters” Dana Louise (Tompkins) Dillon of Independence, and Patricia Michelle Julia Bernhardt of Denton, Md. Mildred was blessed with many nieces and nephews and their families.
Mildred graduated from Wheeling High School and Chillicothe Business College. As a single woman, she worked for the Chillicothe Constitution-Tribune, John Hancock Life Insurance Company, and the University of Missouri Extension Service. While raising her family she was active in the American Legion Auxiliary, The Forty and Eight, and served eight years as Township Representative for the Clay County Board of the University of Missouri Extension Service. Mildred was a founding member of the “Chattering Chicks” Extension Service Club, chartered in 1958, and was for 75 years a member of the Royal Neighbors of America. She was a member and Deacon of the Englewood Baptist Church of Kansas City and a secretary there for 12 years.
As her children matured, Mildred took on a Welcome Wagon Hostess position, then worked as Executive Secretary for major corporations and banks in Kansas City, going on to earn her Missouri Real Estate Sales and Broker License and working for a number of Kansas City realtors. A memorial service will be held Tuesday, November 22 at 2 p.m. at Maywood Baptist Church, 10505 Winner Road, Independence.
