Naomi Maze

Naomi Lucille Custer Maze, daughter of George Lebbeus Custer and Glenn Dora Miller Custer, was born September 6, 1916 at Grainola, OK.  She peacefully departed this life on November 5, 2011 while at Mercy Hospital in Fort Scott, KS at the age of 95 years.  For the past 66 years Naomi has resided on the family farm located in the Iantha community in Barton County, MO. On July 31, 1938 she married the love of her life, Vern Everett Maze.  To this union two sons and two daughters were born:  J.D. of Jackson, TN; Guin Thomasson, married to Roy of K.C., MO; Marilyn Shore, married to Bob, of Linn Creek, MO; Byron, married to Nancy, of Fort Scott, KS. She was preceded in death by her husband Vern, parents, three brothers, Harley, Mearl and Glen, and two sisters, Laura Harris and Ruby Williams. Survivors include her children, and brothers Morris and wife Ann, and Warren and wife Marilyn.  Also surviving are eleven grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren:  Troy Thomasson and wife Traci, of KC, MO with sons Trey, married to Marriah, and Teylor; Todd Thomasson, and wife Gwen, of KC, MO with daughters Scout, Billie, and Gracie; Jeff Shore and wife Stacy of Roach, MO with children Sophia (Sophie), Robert (Bo) and Barrett (Bear); Jay Maze, and wife Aletha, of Greenwood, AK with sons Jacob and Joshua; Brandy Maze/Ferguson and husband Jack of Golden, CO with children Jackson and Olive; Tamar Butler and husband Mark of KC, MO with sons Grant and Drake; Amy Rowden and husband Davie of Fair Grove, MO with children Gracie and Jaxon; Wendy Maze of Jackson, TN with daughter Amaiya; Gabe Maze and wife Keisha of Iantha, MO with children Logan, Abigale, Noa, Kassidy, and Matao; Heather Maze and Chris Ford of Jackson, TN with children Darius and Zoie; Jennifer Shore of Linn Creek, MO.  Other survivors include a host of nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. Naomi was a natural born teacher.  After graduating from Grainola High School in OK and one year of college at Arkansas City, KS Naomi began her 41-year teaching career in a one-room school at Pawhee, OK.  For the next 15 years she taught in various schools in OK and MO.  During this time she continued her education graduating from OSU Magna Cum-Laude with her Bachelors Degree in education and later earning a Masters and Specialist's Degrees from what is now PSU.  In 1951 she began teaching in the Liberal School District.  While there she filled many rolls besides teaching such as school nurse, librarian, art teacher and elementary principal.  In 1961 she became part of the Belton, MO school system, retiring in 1977 as principal of Gladden Elementary.  She continued her love for education by teaching GED classes in Lamar, MO.  As recently as 2010 she was recognized as the "Missouri Retired Teacher's Association Distinguished Retiree of the Year" for region 9.  At the time of her husband Vern's death in 1975 she started managing the farm, and after retiring became a full-time cattlewoman. Naomi made an impact wherever she was.  She was out-going, vivacious and had a keen mind and caring, generous spirit.  She led by example.  Throughout her lifetime she was always interested in making positive contributions to both individuals and the community.  She served many years as an election official in her voting precinct.  She was involved in Extension Club, 4-H, Little League, Cub Scouts and Retired Teachers.  Naomi was a life-long member of the United Methodist Church, UMW, and a Sunday School teacher for many years. Family was always number one to Naomi.  She looked forward to entertaining grandchildren and in time the great grandchildren and their friends to have fun on the farm each summer.  This soon became an eagerly anticipated annual event known as "Camp Win-O-Maze-O".  Another cherished event was the annual Labor Day weekend lake camping trip for the whole family where Naomi's yearly water-ski adventure took place.  She had to forgo this skiing pleasure after her 76th birthday.  She also loved to travel with family.  Two of the most memorable trips were to the Holy Land and the Peruvian Amazon Rain Forest. Naomi was an avid reader, loved poetry, enjoyed sewing and bird watching, and kept a beautiful iris garden which she eagerly shared with anyone who wanted a start. She was a loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt, caring neighbor and friend.  We celebrate her life and accomplishments and will treasure the memories she created for her family and friends.      Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 8th at Iantha United Methodist Church with burial in Iantha Cemetery.      The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 7:00 p.m. Monday at Daniel Funeral Home in Lamar.      Memorial contributions are suggested to Iantha United Methodist Church in care of Daniel Funeral Home.