Barbara A. McClanahan

Barbara Ann Cossou McClanahan, 77 years of Cape Girardeau, passed away Saturday, March 7, 2020 at her home surrounded by loved ones, following a long struggle with Parkinson’s Disease and Lewy Body Dementia. Barbara was born August 29, 1942 to Richard Clyde and Iva Lois McDaniel Cossou in Saginaw, Michigan. Barbara and Jerry W. McClanahan eloped to Shawneetown, Ill on February 20, 1960 and recently celebrated their 60th anniversary. Mrs. McClanahan was a 1960 graduate of Bell City High School and continued her education as a non-traditional student at Southeast Missouri State University. There she would receive her Master’s Degree in Education. She then started her twenty-eight year career as a speech and language pathologist with Cape Girardeau Public Schools, retiring in 2003. Barbara was a member of Grace United Methodist Church, a former member of Zonta Club, and a homebound meal delivery volunteer for Cape Senior Center for many years. When she had free time on her hands, Barbara enjoyed playing Bridge with her “Giggles” Bridge Group, ballroom dancing with her husband, and making precious memories with her family. She is survived by her husband, her mother, two sons, Kennek Scott and wife Susan (Kinsey) of Cape Girardeau, Randall Collin and wife Lisa (Fluegge) of Gordonville, four grandchildren K. Ross McClanahan and wife Anna (Ryberg) of Columbia, MO, Lexie E. McClanahan of Denver, CO, Troy-Lee C. McClanahan (Rachel Elder), and Lauren E. McClanahan of Gordonville, and her beloved Border Collie, Phoebe. She was preceded in death by her father. Visitation will be Wednesday, March 11, 2020 from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Ford and Sons Mt. Auburn Chapel as well as one hour prior to the funeral service. Funeral services will be Thursday, March 12, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. at the funeral home with Pastor Eric Schmidt of Grace United Methodist Church officiating. Interment will be at Pleasant Hill Cemetery near Advance, Missouri following the service. Pallbearers will be Ross McClanahan, Troy-Lee McClanahan, Mike Cossou, Marty Hutcheson, Danny Kutz, and Joe Sorrells. Expressions of sympathy may take the form of gifts to Heifer Project International, 1 World Avenue, Little Rock, AR 72202 or Grace United Methodist Church.

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Barbara A. McClanahan

August 29, 1942 - March 7, 2020