Mary Leota McClary
Drury, MO

Mary Leota McClary, 88 years, passed to Heaven on February 17, 2014 at West Vue Nursing and Rehab. Center in West Plains, MO with her children by her side.

Mary Leota was born November 14, 1925 in Noble, MO in Ozark County to Luther and Elizabeth (Shipley) Bartlett.

Leota was a resident of the Drury community most of her life. She was a hard working homemaker and housewife.

In 1950 Leota and Stanley Russell were united in marriage and to this union five children were born. Later, Leota and Lester McClary were united in marriage in Ava, MO.

Leota was a Christian and had attended church. She enjoyed farming, gardening and cooking. Her joy was being with all her family.

Leota was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Lester; one daughter, Faunalee Russell; three siblings; Elmer Bartlett, Irene Bartlett and Velma Hipp.

Leota is survived by four children; Jaunita Rackley & husband, Jim, Drury, MO, Quentin Russell and wife, Becky, Norwood, MO, Sybil Russell and Selba Russell both of Drury, MO, and two step children; James McClary and Betty Carter, seven grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, three great great grandchildren; three sisters; Gladys Keller and Edith Warrick both of Davenport, IA and Maxine McMillan, Springfield, MO, many nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.


Funeral services for Leota will be Friday, Feb. 21, 2014, 10:00 a.m. in the Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava, MO with burial in the Blanche Cemetery, east of Ava. Visitation will be Thursday from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the funeral home. Officiating will be Pastor Richard Martin. Memorials may be made to Blanche Cemetery.