Nedra Colleen McClellan

June 18, 1934 - September 15, 2020

Nedra was the only child of Hamlet Benjamin Clark and Helen Edith (Jones) Clark Nedra was born on a portion of the Clark farm east of Salem, in Dent County, Missouri on June 18, 1934. Nedra is a descendant of early Dent County settlers of Jotham Clark and Daniel Ball who settled on the Meramec River. She attend Gill school in Dent County until the family moved to Howell County in 1943, when her father accepted employment with the Missouri Department of Conservation. Nedra accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior at the age of 12 at a revival meeting at a small General Baptist Church In Burnham, Missouri. Nedra attended rural schools in and around Willow Springs where she met her future husband Leon McClellan. She attended high school in Willow Springs, Meadville, and graduated with the class of 1951 from Salem High School. Ershel Leon McClellan and Nedra Colleen Clark were united in marriage on August 19, 1950 at the same Burnham General Baptist Church where Nedra made her commitment of faith. Leon enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in Korea. He attained the rank of Sergeant. During Leon’s absence, Nedra attended Truman State University and majored in secretarial courses of that time. Nedra and Leon would go on to farm in Salem, Missouri, live in Temple Terrace, Florida while attending school, and have their own refrigeration business in Benson, Arizona. They would then come back home to Salem, Missouri and have successful businesses in furniture and refrigeration, and clothing and shoe stores. Eventually, they moved on to Hannibal, Missouri and operated a Bed and Breakfast establishment. Nedra and Leon were the parents to two daughters and families who survive them: Candance Gaye Asmussen (husband Richard). Penni Kaye Clark Bouwers (husband John). Also, 4 granddaughters; Dawn Elizabeth Asmussen, Christina Gayle Eberhardt (husband Jason) of Sun City West, Arizona. Jennifer Kaye Hamilton (husband Doug) Kirksville, Missouri. Kimberly-Jo Helen Bouwers of Peoria, Arizona, and grandson Jon Benjamin Bouwers (wife Abby) of Madison, Wisconsin. Nedra and Leon also were proud of their 4 great-grandsons: Jacob Juhas, Joshua and Caleb Eberhardt, and Hayden James Samuel Bouwers - all in Arizona. She is also survived by her special cousins Montie Clark (wife Sara) of Foley, Arkansas. Lila Turner Simmons and daughters of Huntsville, Alabama, and Charlene Fisher Saling and family of St. Clair, Missouri. Nedra is also survived by special friends from the class of 1951 Salem High School and many special friends from her much traveled life. Nedra was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, mother, Helen Edith Jones Clark, father, Hamlet Benjamin Clark, and stepmother Effie Clark, as well as the brothers, sisters, and in-laws of her husband’s family. She is survived by one sister in-law - Dorinda McClellan of Tampa, Florida and numerous nieces and nephews.