Leanna Mcelmurry

Leanna Yarber McElmurry, 91, resident of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, died January 17, 2025 at Mercy Hospital in Cape. She was born June 22, 1933 in Caruthersville, Missouri to the late John Yarber and Helen Cook Cummings.

She loved the Lord. Leanna was a Mother of the church and a member of the Missionary Society at New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church in Cape Girardeau under the leadership of Pastor Howard McGee, Jr.

In 1952, she graduated from Lincoln High School in Charleston, Missouri.

On November 16, 1952 she was united in holy matrimony to Herman McElmurry. He preceded her in death in May of 1999.

She returned back to Charleston and gave back to the community. Leanna was a Teacher’s Aide at Warren E. Hearnes Elementary for 28 years. She also was active as a member of the NAACP.

She was soft-spoken and kind-hearted, known for giving the best hugs. In her free time, she enjoyed reading and doing word searches. She also loved baking and cooking for her family. Her favorite shows were on the Game Show Network, especially "Jeopardy!" and "Wheel of Fortune."

Her grandchildren cherished the sleepovers they had when she lived in Diehlstadt. She provided a soft place to land for anyone who needed rest or peace of mind. Her door was always open.

In addition to her parents and husband, Leanna is preceded in death by two sons, Albert Carter and Herman McElmurry, two brothers, James Yarber and A.W. Yarber, three sisters, Johnnie Mae Bracy, Etta Mae Johnson, and Georgia Yarber, and two grandchildren, Tara McElmurry and Corey Wilson.

She leaves to cherish her precious memories her son, John Michael McElmurry of Mesa, Arizona, her daughters, Marlena (Ross) Conner, Marilyn Newbern, Patricia (Richard) Wilson all of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, and Helen (Larry) Pearson of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, three daughters-in-law, Regina McElmurry and Joyce Carter Thrower of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, and Vickie McElmurry of Aurora, Colorado, and a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nephews, nieces, cousins, other relatives, and friends.

Friends may call Friday, January 24, 2025 at 10:00 A.M. until the funeral hour of 11:00 A.M. at New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church in Cape Girardeau, Missouri with Pastor Howard McGee, Jr. officiating. Interment will immediately follow services in Fairmount Cemetery in Cape with the
Williams Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.