Saturday services for Kayleigh Teel, 16, Pizza Hut waitress, killed in tornado

(The following obituary was taken from the Paul Thomas Funeral Home website.)

Kayleigh Savannah Teal of Seneca, Missouri and Pittsburg, Kansas went to be with Jesus on May 22, 2011 in Joplin, Missouri. She was 16.


Kayleigh was born March 22, 1995 in Bamburg, Germany to Robert Eugene Teal and Karen Sue (Stanton) Long.

She attended Bluejacket and Welch Schools early and was attending Seneca High School where she loved mixed choir.

Kayleigh was employed as a waitress in the Joplin Pizza Hut and was of the Christian Faith.

She is survived by: Father: Robert and wife Karen Louise Teal of Pittsburg, KS, Mother: Karen Sue Long and step-father Shaun Higginbothan of Seneca, MO, three brothers: Rowdy Teal of Pittsburg, Trey Saltsman of Seneca, and Jordan Ray Bicknell of Pittsburg, 4 sisters: Shandra Renee Bicknell of Pittsburg, Brandi Sue Moore of Pittsburg, Tayler Higginbothan of Seneca, and Dakoata Higginbothan of Seneca. Paternal grandparents: William and Judy Fromm, Oklahoma City, OK, Richard Teal of Bluejacket, OK. Maternal grandmother: Betty Stanton (Davis) and paternal great grandmother Margarett Ann Teal of Chetopa, KS.

Funeral Services will be held 10:00 am, Saturday, June 4, 2011 at The First Baptist Church in Miami, Oklahoma with Audy Tash officiating. Interment will follow in the G.A.R. Cemetery under the direction of the Paul Thomas Funeral Home of Miami. The family will receive friends and relatives Friday, June 3, 2011 from 6-8 at the Paul Thomas Funeral Chapel. Kayleigh’s Uncles will honor her by serving as pallbearers. Memorial donations may be made to the Kayleigh Savannah Teal Scholarship Fund.