Obituary of Martha R. McClure Caywood

Martha R. McClure Caywood passed away October 17, 2007, following a stroke. She was born at home, October 22, 1919 in Independence, Missouri to Fredrick Franklin and Sadie Elizabeth McClure. Martha was raised in the Independence & Kansas City area. She was a graduate from Paso High School and attended Park College, Parkville, Missouri. She worked for Federal Crop and War Assets in Kansas City prior to marrying Delmar Caywood in Abilene, Texas, on October 18, 1942. She moved with her husband to Springfield in 1948, where they made their home until moving to Florida in 2000. Martha was a homemaker and active in the community. She served on the Camp Fire Girls Board and was a group leader. She was a member of Grace Methodist Church. She was President of the Baptist Hospital auxiliary. She was active in the Bentley House auxiliary. Martha was very active in SMMA serving as President of the Springfield Missouri Museum Association in 1959-60 and again 1964-65. She served ten years on the board of Trustees. She was a lifetime, charter member of the Living Arts, art group. Martha was also a charter member of the Museum of the Ozarks History Restoration Committee. She served as Secretary from 1987-88 and 1988-89. She & Del were members of the Los Amigos Dance Club. Martha enjoyed sewing, the arts, travel and her family. Martha is preceded in death by, her parents, her Grandmother Mary Maude Tesch, one half- brother, Loris McClure and her infant son Franklin L. Caywood. She is survived by her loving husband of sixty five years, Delmar E. Caywood; A sister, Rosemary Young of Denver Co. A sister-in-law Mary Caywood, of Hutchinson, Ks. A brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Dr. & Mrs. Albert Caywood of Ardmore, Ok. She leaves a loving family, her two daughters and their husbands; Janet and Gary Stokes of Venice Fl., Carol and Clyde Lorance of Springfield, Mo.; four grandchildren, Cara Stokes of Venice Fl., Bart and wife Cristina Stokes, The Hague, Netherlands, Brooke and husband Craig Arnold, of Belton, TX. and Tyler Lorance of Springfield Mo. Additionally she has one great-grand-daughter, Ricci Arnold of Belton, TX. She was looking forward to the birth of her first great-grandson in January. Additionally she is survived by thirteen nieces and nephews. Services will be held Monday at 1:00 at the Gorman-Scharfp funeral home in Springfield, Mo. with burial following at The Veterans Cemetery. In leiu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Martha R. Caywood Fund for the Arts, Community Foundation of the Ozarks. 425 E. Trafficway St. Springfiel, Mo. 65806