Kayla Jo Ripley

Kayla Jo Ripley, 51, Forest City, MO, died early Wednesday morning, February 11, 2026, at her home. She was born on May 13, 1974, the daughter of Robert and Karen Ripley.

She graduated from South Holt High School in 1992 in Oregon, where she was active in basketball and volleyball.

Kayla worked as a bartender/waitress at The Mint in Forest City, Zeke’s, King and Proud Roadhouse, and The Goat in Oregon, as well as the family-owned Times Observer and Price’s Grocery. She was a third-generation member of the Forest City City Council.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Karen Hinkle; grandparents, Lowell Ripley, Billie Jo Ripley, and P.M. and Frances Herbert; two uncles, Bill Slusher and Chuck McComb; and a cousin, Adam Slusher.

Surviving her are her father, Robert (Gina) Ripley of Oregon; brothers, Brent (Melissa) Ripley, of DeSoto, MO and Jordan (Lindsay) Ripley of Country Club, MO; sisters, Emily (Joaquin) Lopez of Platte City, MO and Alexandra Ripley (Dustin) of Forest City; uncle, Jim (Barbra) Herbert of Pittsburg, KS; aunts, Dee Ann (Gary) Heck of Mound City, MO, Ramona McComb of Maryville, MO, and Reva Slusher of Oregon.

Her extended family includes nieces, Raegan Jo (Austin) Doyle of Columbia, MO and Gracen Ripley of Petersburg, MO; also the loves of her life, Quinn M. Ripley, niece, and Camden R. Ripley, nephew, of County Club.

More extended family includes Emilia Jo, Fletcher, and John-Austin Doyle of Columbia; Beck A. Brown, Brody L. Hoff, Rockie Jo Waller, all of Petersburg; cousins, Sarah Slusher of Oregon and Jason and Joshua McComb; Sarah (Ryan) Gregory, Sophia, Campbell and Robert of Pleasant Hill; Kate (Shawn) Drew and Abby of Manhattan, KS; David Heck of Albany; and Sydney (Kyle) McQuinn, Charlotte, Adilyn, Sam and Mae of Stansberry.

Kayla’s special friends include Ann Logan, Jenny Huffman, Missy Miller, Gabe Bailey, and Jim and Michelle Reinzan.

Family visitation: Sunday, February 15, 2026, 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm, Chamberlain Funeral Home. Services: Monday, February 16, 2026, 10:30 am, South Holt Gym, Oregon. Kayla’s family requests that those attending wear either Chiefs, Royals, Mizzou or South Holt sportswear. Memorials: To the Forest City Atkins Field, or the Holt County Cancer Fund. A private family interment will be held at New Point Cemetery.