Barbara McClanahan

Barbara Ann Cossou McClanahan, 77, 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 Aug. 29, 1942, to Richard Clyde and Iva Lois McDaniel Cossou in Saginaw, Michigan. Barbara and Jerry W. McClanahan eloped to Shawneetown, Illinois, on Feb. 20, 1960, and recently celebrated their 60th anniversary.

Barbara was a 1960 graduate of Bell City (Missouri) 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 28-year career as a speech and language pathologist with the Cape Girardeau School District, 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 Girardeau 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 and their wives, Kennek Scott and Susan Kinsey McClanahan of Cape Girardeau and Randall Collin and Lisa Fluegge McClanahan of Gordonville; four grandchildren and their spouses, K. Ross and Anna Ryberg McClanahan of Columbia, Missouri, Lexie E. McClanahan of Denver, 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 from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home, as well as one hour prior to the funeral.

Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Thursday 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 Ave., Little Rock, AR 72202, and to Grace United Methodist Church.

Online condolences may be shared at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.