Aurie Bernice McClellan

Aurie Bernice Crowson McClellan, 98, of Kingdom City, passed away Monday, March 4, 2013, at Presbyterian Manor in Fulton. She was born on November 17, 1914, in Callaway County, Missouri, the daughter of Martin Dawson Crowson and Anna Laura Sheesley Crowson. Bernice, as she liked to be called, graduated from Fulton High School in 1932. She attended William Woods College, transferring later to the University of Missouri where she graduated with a B.A. in Education and was a member of the Pi Lambda Theta Honor Society. She accepted her first teaching position in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. She married Wallace S. McClellan in 1938 in Columbia, Missouri, and following their marriage, the couple moved to Mexico, Missouri where they both accepted teaching positions with the Missouri Military Academy. Bernice was the first female instructor to be hired by the Academy. After World War II ended, Bernice and Wallace moved to the family farm and both accepted teaching positions in Jefferson City, Missouri, where they remained until their retirement. She was a lifelong member of the Missouri State Teachers Association. She resided her entire adult life on the family farm near Richland, Missouri, northwest of Fulton. The farm was part of the original Thomas B. Crowson farm patented in 1827. Bernice enjoyed gardening, sewing, and was famous locally for her canned bread and butter pickles. She was also interested in photography, loved to collect stamps, and travel. She is survived by a son, Robert S. McClellan of Jefferson City, Missouri; a brother, Earl Eli Crowson of Aurora, Colorado; a nephew, Martin Edward Crowson Jr. of Washington, D.C.; a niece, Laura Lee Crowson of Washington, D.C.; and a cousin, Noel A. Crowson of rural Callaway County. She was preceded in death by her mother, Anna Laura Crowson; her father, Martin Dawson Crowson; one brother, Martin Edward Crowson; a sister-in-law, Marjory Crowson; two siblings who died in infancy; and a sister-in-law, Leona Crowson. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, March 7, 2013, at Debo Funeral Home in Fulton with Pastor Bruce Williamson officiating. Interment will follow at Hillcrest Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 1 p.m. until the time of service. Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to the donor's choice on behalf of Bernice McClellan, c/o Debo Funeral Home, 833 Court Street, Fulton, MO 65251. Condolences can be sent by visiting www.debofuneralhome.com.