Obituary
Virginia Louise Cates, 89, of Lee’s Summit, MO, passed away at 10:39 PM on April 25, 2026, at the Lee’s Summit Medical Center. She was comforted in her final moments by the presence of Paula Wilson, Shane Oliverus, and Brother Kenny Payne of Reach Out Missionary Baptist Church.
Born on July 16, 1936, Virginia was the only child of Leonard “Tobe” and Marie Cates. She attended the University of Missouri before graduating cum laude from Southwest Missouri State University in 1958 with a Bachelor of Science in Home Economics.
Louise began her career as an educator, teaching art and home economics at Marionville Schools. In 1973, she worked in the real estate industry, earning her broker’s certification from the Johnson School in Parkville. Over the next several decades, she became a distinguished figure in Missouri real estate, working with Gene Wright Real Estate, ERA Martin House, and Gaslight Realtors. A life member of the Missouri Association of Realtors and the Missouri Million Dollar Club, Virginia was respected for her professional standards and success. She was a proud member of the Reach Out Missionary Baptist Church for over 25 years.
Virginia was married to Norman Lee Fausett on August 12, 1955, and together they had two children, Mark Lee Fausett and Anita Marie Cates. Their marriage ended in 1983.
She is survived by her two children, Mark’s wife Janet Lynn Fausett, and two grandchildren, Crystal Michelle Fausett, and Avery Anna Cates.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Leonard and Marie Cates.
A visitation will be held on May 8, 2026 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. with a service at 11:00 a.m. at Langsford Funeral Home in Lee’s, Summit, Missouri. Interment will follow at 3:00 p.m. at Rock Prairie Cemetery, 240 E. 525 Road, Buffalo, Missouri.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made in Louise’s memory to the Tunnels To Towers Foundation https://t2t.org/donate/
Condolences
Visitation
Lee’s Summit, MO 64063
Services
Lee’s Summit, MO 64063
Louise became one of my dearest friends. I hardly went a day without her in it. We loved flowers , food and healthy strategies that we could talk for hours on. We laughed a lot and cried together on many occasions. Our binding together was our love for Jesus. I know I will see her again and that is was comforts my heart. Dancing with Jesus on streets of gold. She is healed and whole.
Louise,
As I left church tonight it finally sunk in that I won’t be able to check in and confide in my best friend. You leave a hole in my heart today, but we’ll have eternity to walk those golden streets.
So thankful the Lord saw fit to bring our lives together. I’ll miss our Wednesday night phone calls, having you for church service on Sundays, and talking about the farm.
Thank you for supporting my call to preach, praying for the mission in Edgerton, and for always being there for me.
Love,
Brother Kenny Payne
Anita–So sorry for the loss of your dear mother.
You will have to reach way back to remember David and I–the children of Jane and Don Walls. We met occasionally when you were staying with your grandparents, and when we visited with Eva and Bill Ford and made ice cream at the farm.
Your mother was always elegant and much looked up to by my mother and grandmother. Prayers for your family during this time. Donna (Walls) Waldron