Edwards and Ailshire Families Papers

Vesta Ailshire was born Willa Vesta Nobles in Washington, Ripley County, Missouri on November 14, 1906. Her first marriage to Henry Cato took place in Arkansas on February 23, 1924. Minnie Edwards deeded the Edwards farm to her niece, Vesta, and Henry Cato in 1946. Vesta’s second husband, Wilbert Ailshire, helped to convert the farmland into the Independence Memorial Airport during the 1960’s. Vesta built Mrs. A’s Restaurant in the 1970’s. This restaurant originally catered to the airport users but quickly became well-known in the area. Vesta died on October 4, 1999 in Independence, Missouri.

The Edwards family included Minnie Spradling Edwards and Ephram Edgar Edwards. Minnie was born on January 28, 1875 in eastern Missouri. Ephram was born on June 15, 1876 in Indiana. They were married in Ripley, Missouri on January 27, 1892. The Edwards resided in various areas of Missouri and Oklahoma during the early 1900s. In 1930, the Edwards rented a farm in Jackson County. They later bought this farmland, which was located along what is now R.D. Mize Rd. Minnie and Ephram were members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Ephram passed away August 31, 1940 and Minnie passed away seven years later on April 4, 1947. They are both buried in Independence, Missouri.