After a life that spanned more than 90 years, Alberta Mourffee died May 17, 2015 at 11 P.M. Alberta was born in Black, Missouri on March 13, 1925 to Albert and Ella Goggin Shy. She was the last of nine children.
Alberta is survived by son-in-law John Langston of Griffin GA; granddaughter Terri Shepard and her husband Gary; great grandchildren Drew (17), Ivy (15), and Eden (12) of Peachtree City GA. Her daughter Janice Flattem, son-in-law Terry of Jenks, grandson Josh Flattem, his wife Allecia, great grandchildren: Isabel (14), Kiel (13), Zane (8), and Makenna (4) of Depew, OK.
Alberta attended Black High School before her family moved to the St. Louis area. She worked at McDonnell Aircraft; later, it was called McDonnell Douglas and now Boeing. While working at McDonnell, she met her future husband Edward Mourffee who was a journeyman machinist.
Ed and Alberta were married on Dec. 31, 1942. Ed was drafted into the US Navy and served on the USS San Jacinto. In 1943, Alberta went to San Diego to help take care of Ed when he was in the hospital with rheumatic fever.
After World War II, they lived in St. Charles, MO. Ed returned to McDonnell where he continued to work until he retired. Ed and Alberta built a house in 1960, finishing the hardwood floors themselves. In their 53 years, the surrounding land changed from open farmland to multiple subdivisions. They spent their free time and vacations at their clubhouse, Little Joe's Hideaway, on the Mississippi River. Alberta called it a shack on stilts, but good times were had by all.
Alberta was widowed in 2003. She continued to live in the same home where they had raised her two daughters, Barbara and Janice. They attended Duchesne High School 3 blocks from home. Both daughters became teachers and taught middle school math.
Ed and Alberta both enjoyed bowling and bowled in many leagues. Alberta luncheoned with ladies that she knew from school before moving to Brightmoor Assisted Living in Griffin, Georgia.
Alberta lived in Georgia for five years, fifteen minutes from Barbara's home and thirty minutes from her granddaughter Terri Shepherd. After the loss of Barbara (1/25/14), Terri visited GG (great grandma) weekly to see to her needs. Alberta suffered a broken hip last October and a stroke this February, changing her quality of life dramatically.
On April 27, 2015, Alberta, Tiffany Verdon (administrator of Brightmoor Assisted Living) and a CNA, Kashira, flew to Tulsa so that Janice could take over seeing to her mother's needs. Alberta moved into University Village Retirement Center.
Janice, Terry, Zane, and Makenna visited Alberta Friday and fed the ducks in the open courtyard
at University Village.
With the death of Alberta, the Mourffee family line comes to an end. Ed and Alberta had only their two daughters; Ed's sister, Magee Baum, and brother, Bill Mourffee, had no children. Both Ed and Alberta had discussed their desire to have a minimal service upon their death. Alberta will be cremated here. At some later date we will go to St. Charles, MO, where Alberta's ashes will join Ed. Moore's Southlawn 918-663-2233