Helen Barclay's Obituary
Helen Edith (Norman) Barclay, a descendant of Laclede County pioneer families, was born on August 29, 1915, to C. H. “Harry” Norman and Mamie (Gilbertson) Norman, on the family farm in Reagan District, near Dove, Missouri. She departed this life on Wednesday, May 30, 2007, at the age of ninety-one years, nine months, and one day, in the “private care home” of Ms. Darlene Lindsay. On July 12, 1932, she was united in marriage with Glen Barclay, who preceded her in death on April 17, 2002. They would have celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary that year. Also preceding Helen in death were her parents; three brothers-in-law, Gibb, Guy, and Rue Barclay; and five sisters-in-law, Zedith Barclay, Velga Moore, Alta McCulloch, Truma Barclay, and Mitzi Barclay. Helen is survived by a son, G. Neal Barclay, of Lebanon, Missouri; a daughter, Claudia R. Stubblefield, and her husband, Charles A., of near Stoutland, Missouri; six grandchildren, Charla O’Dea, and Bill, of Belle Fource, South Dakota, Kevin Stubblefield, and Rhonda, Shannon Barclay, and Lisa, Melissa Bollig, all of near Lebanon, Missouri, Shantelle Posten, and Troy, of Richland, Missouri, and Melanie and Daniel Noakes, of Nixa, Missouri; sixteen great-grandchildren, Chris Pluimer, and Shalen, Ben Pluimer, Peter J. Pluimer, Brandon Jones, and Airen, Dylan and Charles J. Bollig, Maddison and Hunter Barclay, Andrew and Trevor Stubblefield, Patrick, William, and Samantha Posten, Lane G. Noakes, Kevin O’Dea and Kerrie Ann, and Kari Pearson; two great-great-grandsons, Kaleb Jones and Wyatt Pearson; a daughter-in-law, Sammie Jo Barclay; a brother-in-law, Fred Moore; three sisters-in-law, Charlene Barclay, Alma B. Wilson, and Alice B. Claxton; several nieces and nephews; a beloved cousin, Thelma (McCain) Routh; and many other relatives and friends. Helen attended historic Reagan School for eight years, and then graduated from Lebanon High School in the Class of 1934. In 1936, she and Glen moved to California, where he was employed in the oil industry. Returning to Missouri after a few years, Helen was employed at Rice-Stix Factory, and then later embarked upon a thirty year career at Reese Pharmacy, working for the wonderful owners, John and Bonnie Reese. In August of 1925, she was baptized in Dry Auglaize Creek, becoming a member of Friendship Christian Church, just two miles from her home. The family moved to Lebanon in 1945, and joined the First Christian Church, where she remained a faithful member the rest of her life. For many years, she was active in the Rebekah order of I.O.O.F. Lodge, where she held several offices. Her church and lodge affiliations were very important to Helen, and she enjoyed lifelong friendships. She loved to read, listen to Glen’s fiddle music, feed the birds, do needlework and flower gardening. But, first and foremost, Helen adored her family, with the many grandchildren being the light of her life. She had a special relationship with Sammie Jo and C.A., her “In-Laws”, as she jokingly called them. Helen shall be sadly missed and dearly remembered as a loving mother, grandmother, aunt, cousin and sincere friend. Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, June 3, 2007, in the Holman-Howe Funeral Home, Lebanon. Burial will be in the Lebanon Cemetery. Visitation will be Saturday afternoon from 4 - 5:30 p.m. under the direction of Holman-Howe Funeral Home of Lebanon, Missouri. Memorials to the First Christian Church or the Lebanon Humane Society may be made through the funeral home.
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