Leola Fern (Davis) Barclay

Leola Fern (Davis) Barclay, 96, was born Jan. 13, 1925, at home near Cedar Springs to Virgil Davis and Edna May (Allen) Davis. She passed away on Jan. 2, 2022 at Cedar County Memorial Hospital.

Fern, as she was best known, attended school in a one room school house near Cedar Springs. She graduated from the El Dorado Springs High School in 1941. After graduation she obtained a teaching certificate and taught in a country school. She later started working at International Shoe nine days after it opened. Little did she know that it would be here that she would meet her future husband, John Samuel Barclay. John always loved to tell the story of their first meeting. The plant manager introduced them and John’s response was, “here I am an ex GI and a woman is telling me what to do.” So began their story. On Jan. 9, 1947, they were married at the Methodist Church parsonage with Minister Clarence Folkins officiating. They celebrated 61 years of marriage before John’s death in March of 2008. To this union three children were born: Steven Art, who died in infancy, Deanna Lee and Sheila Sue. Fern was a 70 year member of the Order of the Eastern Star and a 70+ year member of the VFW Auxiliary. When she was able to she enjoyed crocheting and working puzzle books. Every night she spent reading the Bible.

Preceding her in death were her husband, John: parents, Virgil and Edna Davis: in-laws, O.L. and Lettie Barclay: infant son, Steven Art; nephew, Artie Dean Davis; brother, Arthur Davis; sisters-in-law, Betty (Strouse) Davis, Bettie (Solomon) Davis; and great-grandson, Owen Davis.

Survivors are daughters, Deanna (Guy) Shouse, Sheila (Gary) Benham both of El Dorado Springs; grandsons, Kent Shouse – Jasper, Lee (Jamie) Shouse – El Dorado Springs, Joshua (Melissa) Benham – Webb City; granddaughter, Whitney Benham – Sedalia, Margaret (Matt) Holder – Fenton, Katherine Benham – El Dorado Springs; great-granddaughter, Alexis Marie Shouse – Jasper; great-grandsons, Ian Davis – Sedalia, and Onyx Benham – Webb City; also a host of other relatives and friends.

Services for Fern Barclay will begin at 10 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 6, at Bland-Hackleman Funeral Home with burial to follow in the El Dorado Springs City Cemetery under the direction of Bland-Hackleman Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from 6-7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 5, at Bland-Hackleman Funeral Home.

Online condolences may be left at www.blandhackleman.com.