Delpha Osborn

Delpha D. Osborn, 89, of Kansas City, Missouri passed away on January 30, 2021 at NorthCare Hospice House.

Delpha was born on September 15, 1931 in Sleeper, MO. She was the seventh of nine children born to Earnest "Turkey"and Lillie Mae Burgess. While growing up, she attended Sleeper Pentecostal Church, which her parents help found. This began her life long love for God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. She was a devoted Christian and was dedicated to serving the Lord. It was in church where she developed her love of music...specifically gospel. She and her sisters would sing there, as well as other Christian venues. Music was always important and a big part of her life. She had fond memories of when the family would gather in her daddy's old truck and  listen to the Grand Ole Opry on it's radio, since their home had no electricity. This sparked her love of country music. She even taught herself how to play the guitar by ear. As a teen, she enjoyed rollerskating and was even one of the runner-ups in a rollerskating queen competition. She attended Stoutland School, but unfortunately was never able to graduate. She left to join the work force, as did her other siblings, to help their parents financially, like many children did back then.

On December 19, 1953, she married the love of her life, Ralph F. Osborn, in Lebanon, MO. They met as adolescents, when he along with his family moved to Sleeper, MO. When Ralph saw Delpha for the first time through a church window, he told one of her brothers, "I'm going to marry that girl". Not long after their wedding, the couple moved to Florida, where Ralph was stationed and serving in the United States Air Force. After his time in the service, the couple eventually moved to Kansas City, MO. When Ralph began working for General Motors, Delpha became a fulltime housewife.  They, along with her brother-in-law, Vencil Darrow, eventually built their dream home in the Northland. It was on June 24, 1962, that Ralph and Delpha welcomed the birth of their child, Timothy. He was their only son, but they would also be the temporary foster parents of three other children, including her niece, Toni (Benz) Murello, in the mid 1970's. They also had a musical group, The Osborn Moonlight Drifters. They wrote and performed their own original songs, as well as other gospel/country hits, in their own show in Independence, MO.

Beginning in the 1970's, she opened an auction house, which she later switched over to a flea market. The flea market was the perfect business for her because of her love and knowledge of antiques. She enjoyed running the business until she had to give it up in the mid 80's, due to health concerns. After that, she kept busy making jewelry, arranging flowers for events, and quilting.

In her free time she enjoyed travelling and camping with her family. Even once Tim went on to pursue his adult life, she and Ralph continued vacationing, until his health declined in the late 1980's. Ralph took an early retirement during this time, but unfortunately a couple of years later it was discovered that he had cancer. Delpha and Tim stood by him during treatments and eventually took fulltime care of him when things worsened. In his final days they were helped by the hospice staff, plus longtime family friends, Warren and Wilma Wasmer. After her husband's passing in 1994, Delpha continued attending auctions, shopping at flea markets/antique shops, and spending time with family/friends. Even when her own health began to decline, she always made herself available to help her loved ones. As her health worsened she was unable to leave her home, except for doctors/hospital visits, and eventually had to be cared for by her son, until her passing.

Delpha is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Ralph; and all of her siblings. She will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by her son, Tim; family and friends, whom she loved very much.

A graveside service will be held at Terrace Park Funeral Home on Friday, February 5th at 1:00pm. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the DAV in her honor.