Luci Isabel Dannar

Luci Isabel (Moore) Dannar, 97, passed away peacefully November 6, 2024, at her residence in the Columbia Terrace, surrounded by family and dedicated caregivers. She chose to receive hospice care for the past three months when her health began to decline. We are grateful that she received outstanding care from Phoenix Hospice and Home Care.
Three weeks ago, dressed in her finest clothes-which she loved to do-she enjoyed a birthday party with many family members, friends, and fellow residents. She knew that would be her last birthday so kept the party going all weekend with phone calls, visits, cake, presents and video calls, while wearing a banner that read Princess.
Luci was born in Lawrence, Arkansas on October 13, 1927, to Elvin Presley and Clara Fern (Simons) Moore. She was adored by her older brothers, Virgil Moore and Frank Moore.
The Moore family moved to Missouri shortly after her birth, living in multiple Boone County residences. After attending several different primary schools, she loved attending Hickman High School for three years, graduating in 1945.
Luci met William (Bill) Dannar in the spring of 1946, where they were co-workers at JC Penney. They married later that same year, on November 30. Together they raised four daughters: Kathe, Klara, Kristy, and Kelli.
Her faith journey began when she discovered the warmth and wisdom of many members of Prairie Grove Baptist Church, when she was a young mother. She fulfilled her desire to be an educator by teaching Sunday school classes for over thirty years at two beloved churches, Prairie Grove Baptist and Memorial Baptist Church in Columbia, MO. She also sang in the choir for many years and served as a greeter.
She was a lover of beauty, artistic expression, writing and fashion. All four of her daughters benefited from those interests by being provided art, dance and music classes, even when the family budget was thin. Luci wrote throughout her life and had many poems and memoir published. One of the ways in which she expressed both her creativity, and her faith was through Christian Clowning, even helping establish a Christian Clown school. Her name was "Happiness", and she was fond of saying "Happiness is being a clown". She enjoyed teaching 4-H cooking classes and judging youth arts programs at the Boone County Fair.
Luci was preceded in death by her parents, brothers, husband and daughter, Kathe Ann Dannar Brady.
She is survived by daughters Klara Lynn Dannar, Kristy Gay (Rick) Leath, Kelli Leigh (Tracy) Black, Grandchildren Luke Brady, Bret Brady, Matt Brady, Elizabeth Brady, Sara Brinkman, Chad Leath, Amber Sexton, Sydney Nelson and Riley Black and several great grandchildren who will miss her deeply.
A celebration of her life will be held on Monday, November 11, 2024, at Memorial Baptist Church (1634 Paris Rd Columbia, MO 65201). The family will receive visitors from 11:00 am-1:00 pm, with a funeral service following the visitation at 1:00 pm. Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery (1217 W. Business Loop 70 Columbia, MO 65202).
In lieu of flowers, donations to Memorial Baptist Church youth programs are appreciated.
Arrangements are under the direction of Nilson-Millard Cremation & Burial Center, 5611 E. St. Charles Rd.; Columbia, MO 65202. (573) 474-8443. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.millardfamilychapels.com.