Alberta Faye Steele, 96 of Knob Noster, Missouri passed away Sunday, March 12, 2023 at her home, surrounded by loved ones.

Born September 26, 1926 in Independence, Missouri, Alberta was the daughter of John A. and Eliza (Jones) Taylor.  As a young woman, Alberta had a passion for the Lord, learning, and her sweetheart  Thomas Junior Steele.  She was united in marriage to Junior, as she fondly referred to him, on December 5, 1947, finishing her nursing degree in their early years of marriage. Motherhood, Alberta's other great passion soon followed. Both she and Thomas had a heart toward ministry and began following the Lord's lead in their fostering of children, several of whom they adopted as their own.  Between raising their family of 7, continuing to foster, lending her nursing skills wherever there was a need in the Independence area, the first 24 years of marriage flew.

In 1971, Tom and Alberta  felt led to relocate to the Warrensburg area and give of themselves full time in ministry toward those in need of their talents. The two were always together, with a kind word, a helping hand, a gentle touch:caring for people in the community who often had no one else to assist them. They were actively involved with church, the community, and raising the rest of their brood.  By this time, the first of the grandchildren had also started to arrive, and Alberta flourished even more in her new role as Grandma. Being engaged in the lives of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren as the family grew became a ministry of its own.  She was both friend and confidante, ever ready with a bluntly honest opinion–so don't ask if you don't want to hear it!-- and a hug and ready smile.

Alberta loved making dolls, baking homemade bread, and tending to the couple's many vegetable gardens. Playing games with family and friends, reading, music, and sharing stories were also pastimes enjoyed through the years.

When one thinks of Alberta, by extension, one always thinks of Junior.  For 75 years, the two were inseparable. From the first night when he almost lost her, Thomas kept a hold of Alberta's hand. Catching her eye with a smile of his own, it was nothing to see Alberta suddenly perched in Tom's lap; whether he'd tugged her, or she'd placed herself, it didn't matter. He was her landing spot in love and life, the perfect covering from the beginning of their life together  to the end of her life on earth.  Their legacy of love: for the Lord, for each other, for all whom they came in contact with- is the gift that we are each left with…until we meet again.

Survivors include her loving husband of 75 years, Tom; daughter: Alisha Johnson (Todd) of Warrensburg, MO; son: Timothy Ray Steele (Diann) of Sedalia, MO; sister: Florence King (Howard) of Versailles, MO; two brothers: John Taylor (Pat) of Grandview, MO and George Taylor (Laura) of Jacksonville, FL; twenty grandchildren; eighteen great grandchildren;four great-great grandchildren with two more on the way and a host of nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by five children: Rebekah Lynn Steele in infancy; John Thomas Steele; Jeanne Anne Lion; Donald Eugene Steele and Janice Marie Van Winkle, as well as one great grandson Harley Fischer Dunkin.She was also preceded in death by her parents as well as 4 sisters and her twin brother Albert Taylor.

Funeral Services will be 3:00 p.m. Saturday, March 18 ^th at Knob Noster Restoration Branch Church with Elder Michael Brown officiating. The family will receive friends, one hour prior to service, Saturday at the church.

There will be a private interment at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery, at Higginsville, at a later date.

Arrangements entrusted to Williams Funeral Chapel in Warrensburg.

Online condolences may be left at www.williamsfuneralchapel.net