Versa Annetta (Mansfield) Ashley

In Loving Memory of  Mrs. Versa Annetta Mansfield Ashley "Bobbie"

Versa Annetta Mansfield Ashley aka “Bobbie”, 92, of Kansas City, Kansas was called home on Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2021, at 11:49 A.M. at Medicalodge Post-Acute Care Center.

Mother was born at 7:00 P.M. on Dec. 6, 1929, the daughter of George Lee and Charlotte H. Mansfield.  And was a 79 yr. member of Walnut Blvd. Missionary Baptist Church.  She had been very active in church since childhood and sang in the choir under the direction of her father, George Lee Mansfield, but due to her failing health was no longer an active participant.  Mother was a member of the Walnut Blvd. Missionary Baptist Church Mother Board.

Mother’s education began at the age of 4 years old by attending Nadine Steppes kindergarten home.  Mr. Kennedy, her husband, would take everyone home when the weather was bad.  Mother also attended Kealing & Stowe Elementary Schools, Northeast Junior High School and Sumner High School Class of 1947 graduate.  Mother had been an active participant of the Sumner High School Class of 1947 since 1967, (the year the class meetings began) and has been the secretary since her sophomore year.  She was Secretary Emeritus and organized class records and when called upon could produce any records needed.  These records, articles, etc. are in five plus notebooks housed in a room at Sumner Academy of Arts School and can be viewed at any time.  Her hard work and dedication have been appreciated by all that have viewed these books.  Also, this class has given over 125 scholarships to deserving college bound Sumner Academy students.  Mother attended the 60th and last Sumner High Class of 1947 reunion held September 7-9, 2007, where she was honored with the ABCD Award (Above and Beyond the Call of Duty).

Mother worked along with her father and uncle, Rostell Mansfield in a catering business for fifteen (15) years for prominent clients in the Kansas City area.

Mother also was an election worker for the Wyandotte County Election office ranging from Judge to Supervising Judge and had volunteered her time for over 20 years until her health slowed her down.

Mother was a giving person volunteering her services to her children, relatives, friends, neighbors, church members, the community, strangers who needed a listening and caring ear, as well as running errands of mercy.  Her cheerful attitude was contagious.  She had a unique way of answering the phone, “Happy (whatever the day of the week it is or someone’s birthday), God bless you and would always end the call with “I love you”.  Mom’s health had not been a “bed of roses”; however, you wouldn’t know it with her positive attitude and that “Mansfield” smile.  Mom’s philosophy was “why complain as long as you wake up each morning, it is a blessing!”

Upon hearing of someone that was ill or hospitalized, mom would send cards—not your typical get-well card with a signature, but the “Versa Special” which took up to 30 minutes to complete.  Included in the “Versa Special” are inspirational sayings, a few funnies to brighten your day and at least $2.00.  Mom wasn’t a rich person by any means but feels “the Lord had blessed her, and sharing doesn’t hurt!”

Mother was recognized in July 1998 for her nomination “Symbols of Caregiving” award organized by D. W. Newcomer’s & Sons and WDAF-TV.  She was nominated by Quintelle Thatcher Davis.  A celebration in her honor was held at Thatcher’s Funeral Home where more than 50 relatives and friends gathered.

Mother has a strong sense of family having been married to Melvin Ashley on May 8, 1951, until his death on Monday, March 16, 1998.  Their first son, Melvin, Jr. preceded them in death at the tender age of two (2) years old and her youngest son, Franklin James passed on Friday, September 7, 2012. Her parents, grandparents and numerous family members preceded her in death. 

She leaves to cherish her memories two daughters and sons-in-law, Annetta Ashley Dombrowski (Karl); and Sharon Ashley Davenport (Frankie); daughter-in-law, Rosie Ashley; brother and sister-in-law, George Lee (Junie); Peaches Mansfield a wonderful grandmother to three granddaughters, Aarrika Nicole Davenport and Angela Marie Britton (Michael); Kelia Jones; nephews, George (Georgie) Lee Mansfield IV; Gary Scott Mansfield; nieces, Ann Hall (Jeff); Resha Mansfield; Carla Harris; brother-in-law, Luther (Sonny) Ashley; ex-sister-in-law, Yvonne “Dimp Dimp” Mansfield-Bass; “special cousins” that always kept in contact with mother and she loved them very much, Melvin Lee Mansfield; Margie Mansfield Williams; Charles Mansfield (Barbara); and their families; special “sons” and “daughters”, James A. Heggie; Kim Gaitan; Curtis Hughes; Lorraine Walker of Junction City, Kansas; Carol Pitchlyn; “special sisters”, Beverly J. Scott; and Trudy Petties; “special caregiver”, Benita Christwell; her Sumner High Class of 1947 class members; her many friends at Mt. Carmel Senior Housing where she lived for many years; the staff (past and present) at Medicalodge Post-Acute Center; the Brothers of Widow’s Sons Lodge No. 17; “grand dog”, Buddy; and a host of other relatives; friends; and extended family.

We miss her very much, but we know she suffers no more!  We thank God for choosing her to be our mother!

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