Dorothy McClure

1923 - 2016

Dorothy McClure

Dorothy Leona Hays McClure. 93, passed away peacefully into her Savior's arms on August 10, 2016 surrounded by her three children. Dorothy was the daughter of John Oakley and Leona Cunningham Hays and was born in Springfield, Missouri on June 4, 1923. She attended public schools in Springfield and Joplin and was a graduate of Springfield Senior High School. She obtained a bachelor's degree and teaching certificate from Southwest Missouri State Teachers College and a master's degree from Drury College.

Upon graduation from college Dorothy taught at the Marshall, Missouri high school and later worked for Springfield's City Utilities. On June 30, 1946, Dorothy married Charles Harrison McClure, a World War II Navy veteran. Charles and Dorothy enjoyed thirty-nine years of marriage before Charles' passing in 1985. Charles and Dorothy had three children, Charles Kenneth, Richard Hays and Carolyn Ruth McClure.

After raising her children through their formative years, Dorothy returned to teaching in 1961 at the Marshfield High School. In 1962, she joined the faculty of Parkview High School where she remained for twenty-seven years. At Parkview she taught typing, business law, and salesmanship and sponsored the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA).

Dorothy was a vibrant prayer warrior and was continually in prayer for her family, friends and church. Her faith was her foundation. She was a follower of Jesus Christ and a witness to His gospel throughout her lifetime. She was an active lifelong member of Springfield's First Baptist Church and provided leadership for many years in Sunday School, missions programs, youth departments and senior adults. Dorothy was known throughout her lifetime for her "Thoughts for the Day"....sayings which she had accumulated over the years. Some were secular and humorous, others scriptural and Biblical, but all espoused truths by which we should each seek to live.

Dorothy is survived by her sons Ken, Richard (Sharon) and daughter Carolyn, grandchildren Jennifer Montgomery (Mark), Allison Unthank (David), Ryan (Beth), and Lindsay Leona McClure-Hartman (Jay). Her five great-grandchildren are Andrew Kenneth and Ada Jane Helen Montgomery, Becca Joelle and Eric Tyler Unthank, and Harrison Bishop McClure. A brother-in law, Maurice Clopton and several nieces and nephews also survive. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Charles, brother John Oakley Hays, sisters-in law Margaret McClure and Charlotte Clopton, and daughter-in-law Joey McClure.

Funeral Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, August 13, in the First Baptist Church of Springfield, 525 South Avenue with Reverend Michael Overton officiating. Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home. Online condolences may be left at www.gormanscharpf.com

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to Mountain Calling Ministry. P.O. Box 10014, Springfield, MO 65808 or online at www.mountaincallingministry.com. Mountain Calling Ministry is the missions organization that supports Carolyn McClure's work in Southeast Asia—a work for which Dorothy was chief encourager, cheerleader and prayer warrior.

The family wishes to thank the staff of the Baptist Home in Ozark and Dr. Mark Woods, also of Ozark, for their many years of loving care for Dorothy.