David E. Sappington, 57, of Independence, Missouri, died Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020 at Research Medical Center in Kansas City, Missouri.
David was born in Doniphan, Missouri to Rev. James Philo Sappington (1924 – 2004) and Doris Maxine Cromwell (1935 – 2010) May 23, 1963, the youngest of eight children. He was actively involved in Christian work as a Sunday School teacher, choir member, evangelism leader, licensed minister, and Gospel singer. He was of the Pentecostal faith.
David received his associate’s degree from Three Rivers Community College in 1994 and worked for the Doniphan School District as a teacher’s aide until 2000. Afterwards, he worked for Town and Country Grocers as a night manager for Country Mart in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, followed by work for Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center, and finally as a barber before being forced into retirement due to poor health.
On Nov. 4, 1982, David married Wanda Pauline Woods who preceded him in death in 2012. Together they had two children, Paul Anthony Sappington of Broseley, Missouri, and Flora Maxine Clark of Anchorage, Alaska. Paul and Flora survive. After Wanda’s death David married Mickie Kniffen on May 15, 2015. She survives in their home in Independence.
Also surviving are four brothers, James Nathan Sappington of Springfield, Missouri, Robert Paul Sappington of Naylor, Missouri, Michael Anthony Sappington of Doniphan, Missouri, and Doyle Eugene Sappington of Poplar Bluff, and two sisters, Vinita Maxine Sappington of Salem, Missouri, and Sarah Ann Mercer of Sullivan, Missouri. One brother, Thomas Wayne Sappington preceded him in death in 2019. Numerous nieces and nephews also survive.
David also has two surviving step-daughters, Carla Lynn Drysdale of Harviell, Missouri and Jennifer Case of Lee’s Summit, Missouri along with several grandchildren.
Memorial services will be announced later.