Zella Marie Sweeney of Bourbon, Missouri was born on Sept. 19, 1938 in Redford, Missouri to Arthur and Golda (Dinkins) Pyrtle and passed away on Tuesday, March 10, 2026 at the age of 87 years.
She grew up in the neighboring town of Centerville, Missouri, where she attended local schools and graduated from high school in 1956.
On March 28, 1959, she married Ronald Sweeney Jr.
After spending some time in St. Louis, the Sweeneys moved to Bourbon in 1960. In 1970, Ron and Zella embarked on a new adventure as they opened "Rio Grande Western," a store.
She was an active member of the Living Word Church.
She took care of her garden, enjoyed tending to her flowers and enjoyed meals outside.
She was preceded in death by a son, Ronald Sweeney III; parents, Arthur and Golda Pyrtle; five sisters, Melba Cox, Wilma Hill, Barbara Brooks, Shirley Ann Pyrtle and Marion Alfred Pyrtle; and four brothers, Fred Pyrtle, Wilbur Pyrtle, James Pyrtle and Junior Pyrtle.
She is survived by her husband, Ron; children, Lori McNabb of Bryson City, North Carolina and Michael Sweeney and wife Kathy of Bourbon, Missouri; two grandchildren, McKenzie Quillen and husband James of Hayesville, North Carolina and Spencer McNabb and wife Taylor of Golden, Colorado; two great grandchildren, L.J. and Paisley; other relatives and friends.
Services were held at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 15, 2026 at the Living Word Church of Leasburg, Missouri with Pastors Dan Morrison and Jimmy Delacourt officiating.
Cremation has taken place.
Arrangements under the direction of the Eaton Funeral Home and Cremation Center of Sullivan, Missouri.
