Hoverson, Cindy L. 1953-2026 Atchison, Kan.
ATCHISON, Kan. – In Loving Memory of Cindy Louise (Jones) Hoverson, 72, a lifelong resident of rural Doniphan County, Kansas, entered the arms of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Jan. 30, 2026. Known throughout Atchison and Doniphan Counties as “Miss Cindy” or the beloved “Story Lady,” she leaves behind a legacy defined by faith, service, and a boundless love for storytelling.
A Life of Purpose. Cindy was a pioneer in her profession and a vibrant presence in her community. She earned her Associates of Science degree from Highland Community College, Bachelor of Science in Library Science from Northwest Missouri State University and became the first person in Kansas to achieve Level 5 Continuing Education certification from the Kansas State Library.
Her dedication to literacy and youth services earned her numerous honors including Children’s Librarian of the Year, Woman of the Year, Quality of Life Award, USD 409 Friends of Education Award, Mountain Plains Library Association Children’s Librarian Choice Award, Atchison Christmas Parade Grand Marshal, Juneteenth Unity in the Community Award and Honorary Hobo Queen.
Her voice and imagination shaped countless childhoods. Whether leading Atchison ghost tours, writing trolley scripts, or sharing her famous “farm tales,” Cindy brought history to life with unmatched enthusiasm. She devoted many years to youth as a Boys and Girls Scout Leader, Friend of 4-H, and Youth Leader and Sunday School Teacher at First Christian Church.
Leadership, Service, and Community. Cindy’s commitment to her community was deep and unwavering. Over the years, she served as a member and often board member of the Friends of the Atchison Library, Kansas Library Association, Friends of Kansas Libraries (Board Member), Atchison Genealogy Society, Youth Services Committee of the NE Kansas Library System (Chair), Atchison Optimist Club (President), Salvation Army (Board Member), Riverbend Habitat for Humanity (Board Member), Atchison and Doniphan County Historical Societies, Kanza Chapter of the Kansas Anthropological Association, Ladies Auxiliary of VFW Post 1175, Atchison’s First Christian Church (Board Member, Elder), Planning Committee for the Atchison Lewis and Clark Bicentennial, Steering Committee for Atchison County Night Out for Learning, Boys and Girls Club Cub Scout Pack 86 (Den Leader Coach), and Atchison Rotary Club. Her service touched nearly every corner of the community she loved.
A Devoted Matriarch. Above all her accomplishments, Cindy cherished her family. She lived by the words: “I am so thankful for my many blessings… with the help of Jesus Christ, I keep going, living each day to its fullest.” She is survived by her devoted husband, Raymond Hoverson, with whom she shared a life on the farm.
Her legacy continues through her children and their families: Jeremy and Melissa (Bendena) and children Jacob, Cassidy, Derek, and Vanessa; Danielle and Brian (Moray) and children, Lane, Gunnar, Rhett, and great-granddaughter, Ivey; Chris Hoverson (Leavenworth); Carol and Brett Jenkins (Connecticut); John and Julie Hoverson (Smithville) and children, Jailee and Jayden.
Miss Cindy’s story lives on. She believed that stories were meant to be shared and that love should be given freely. She will be deeply missed by her family, her church, her colleagues, and the thousands of “library kids” whose lives she touched with her joy, her imagination, and her faith. Her light lives on in every child who discovered a love of reading, every community member who heard her stories, and every person who felt the warmth of her kindness.
Miss Cindy was preceded in death by her parents, Bernard and Anna (Symns) Jones; sister, Bernice Patterson, and brother-in-law, Dennis Gleason.
She is survived by her siblings, Steve (Vicki) Jones, Bendena, Kansas, Sharon (David) Shouse, Weston Missouri, Betty Gleason, Atchison, Kansas, Mark (Pandora) Jones, Lawson, Missouri; and a large extended family, including the OV6 and Hoverson families, who were uplifted by her constant prayers, messages, and unwavering love.
Visitation will be Friday, Feb. 6, 6 to 8 p.m. First Christian Church, Atchison. Funeral Service will be Saturday, Feb. 7, 10 a.m. First Christian Church, Atchison. Graveside Service will be at the Moray Cemetery, Half Mound Rd, Troy, Kansas. Friends may call after 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday at the Harman-Rohde Funeral Home in Troy, Kansas.
Memorial contributions are suggested to the Atchison First Christian Church Elevator Fund, St John’s Lutheran Church Property Fund, Bendena Kansas. Memorial contributions may be sent in care of the Harman-Rohde Funeral Home with condolences to the family left at the Harman-Rohde Funeral web page. www.harmanrohde.com As published in the St. Joseph News-Press.
