Joey McClure

Joey McClure, 67, of Springfield, went to be with her heavenly father on Wednesday, April 20, 2011, after a brief illness. Joel Helen Nord McClure was born in St. Louis Park, Minn., on October 29, 1943, to Cyril Russell Nord and Dorothy Marie Hlavac Nord. She was a graduate of St. Louis Park High School and held a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Minnesota and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Vanderbilt University. She also studied at Lincoln University in Jefferson City and the University of Missouri. She was a french teacher, Joey taught at West Junior High School in St. Louis Countyís Parkway School District, Helias High School in Jefferson City, Jefferson City High School, and Study Middle School and Central High School in Springfield, retiring in 2005. Joey studied French abroad and took numerous trips with students to France. Also, Joey was a 12 year supervisory employee of the Missouri Department of Revenue in Jefferson City. She was a member of the American Association of Teachers of French, the Missouri State Teachers Association, the American Society for Training and Development and the Central High School Ladies of the Red Hat Society. Joey had a beautiful alto/tenor voice. In college she traveled and sang with Briar Folke in conjunction with Campus Crusade for Christ. In 1972 Joey was a founding member of One Accord. Originally a womenís trio, One Accord evolved into a mixed gospel quartet which sang throughout the Midwest for many years. Joey and her husband, Ken, met while singing in One Accord. Joey and Ken were married in Springfield on December 28, 1974. Joey and Ken continued to sing duets throughout the years. She leaves behind family and friends grieving over their loss but rejoicing that she is now with her Lord and Savior for all eternity. She is survived by a family whom she loved dearly: her husband of 36 years, Ken; a daughter, Jennifer Montgomery and her husband Mark of Springfield; a daughter, Allison Unthank and her husband David of Ozark; grandchildren, Andrew Kenneth and Ada Jane Helen Montgomery, and Becca Joelle and Eric Tyler Unthank; a brother, David Nord and his wife Pat of St. Louis Park, Minn.; a brother-in-law, Don Riley of Blue Springs; a sister, Mary Curtis and her husband Stan of Panama, N.Y.; a brother, Doug Nord and his wife Kay of Willits, Calif.; a brother-in-law, Richard McClure and his wife Sharon of Kirkwood; a sister-in-law, Carolyn McClure of Springfield; her mother-in-law, Dorothy McClure of Ozark; an uncle, Maurice Clopton of Springfield; and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. She was preceded in death by an unborn grandchild, her parents; a sister, Lois Riley; her father-in-law, Charles H. McClure; and an aunt, Charlotte Clopton. Visitation will be held on Thursday, April 21, 2011, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held on Friday, April 22 at 1:30 p.m. in First Baptist Church of Springfield, where Joey was an active member. Reverend Michael Overton and the Reverend Dr. John F. Smith will officiate. Burial will be in Hazelwood Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the First Baptist Church Building Fund, the Council of Churches of the Ozarks, the Springfield Public Schools Foundation for the benefit of Central High Schoolís Foreign Language Department, and the American Diabetes Association. The family expresses its deep appreciation to the medical staff at Mercy St. Johnís and especially to the nurses of 3ICU for their loving and compassionate care and Dr. Shanti Yerra for her superb care and concern over a number of years.