Vesta McLaughlin

Vesta McLaughlin, age 89, of Springfield, Missouri passed away at 6:34 PM on Saturday, November 22, 2025, at the home of her son and daughter-in-law in Billings, Missouri.

Vesta was born in Morrisville, MO and graduated high school in Fair Grove, MO. She was a lifelong resident of the Springfield area. Vesta had been a member of Berean Baptist Church since 2013.

Vesta married Clairborne Franklin Powell in 1965 in Abilene, TX. Vesta and Clay had one son – Little Clay. Big Clay was killed in a car accident in 1970. Later, she got remarried to Vernon L. McLaughlin in 1975, and they lived happily until Vernon's passing in 2009.

She was preceded in death by her first love and husband Claiborne Powell, her second husband Vernon McLaughlin, her parents, Mayhew and Lera Lemmon, and brothers Joe, Harry, Bill, and David Lemmon; and sister Virginia Lemmon.

Vesta is survived by her son and daughter-in-law Clay and Valerie Powell, of Billings, MO; a much loved granddaughter Lera Powell, of Belfair, WA; brother Glen Lemmon, sister Mary Lemmon, brother John and his wife Linda Lemmon, all of Springfield, MO; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Vesta will be cremated, and her ashes will be buried with Claiborne at National Cemetery and Vernon at Rivermonte Memorial Gardens. Funeral Service will be held Wednesday, November 26, 2025, at 10:00 AM at Berean Baptist Church, 507 E. Norton Rd., Springfield, MO 65803, under the care of Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home.