Mary Margaret (Forbes) Worrel

Mary Margaret Worrel, daughter of the late William Burley and Gladys (Campbell) Forbes, was born on December 1, 1921 in Mtn. Grove, Missouri, in Texas County, and departed this life on December 12, 2013 in The Manor at Elfindale in Springfield, Missouri, at 92 years of age.
Mary grew up and attended school in Mtn. Grove and graduated from Mtn. Grove High School in 1939. Following graduation, she attended Draughon’s Business College in Springfield, Missouri. She then went to Washington D.C. to work for the Federal Government at Air Transport Command during World War II. Upon returning to Mtn. Grove, Mary was united in marriage to Dale Eugene Worrel on June 2, 1946. Three daughters were born to this union, Sandy, Janis, and Pat. After raising her daughters, Mary returned to work for National Farmer’s Organization, Inc., in Mtn. Grove.
In 1974, she and Dale founded Worrel Transport in Mtn. Grove and she was a part of the business with her daughter, Patsy, for the next thirty-years.
Mary’s family, church, community, and country were very important to her. She was always involved in her daughters’ school, church, and club activities. She enjoyed the large family gatherings and visits from her nine brothers and sisters and extended family.
Mary cherished the wonderful memories with her “1939” classmates and friends from Mtn. Grove High School.
Mary was a longtime member of the First Christian Church in Mtn. Grove. She was baptized in the church in 1934 and taught Sunday School for several years.
She was involved in several community activities and contributed in many ways. One of her special projects was the Mtn. Grove Alumni Park, where she was one of the original board members. She was also a charter member of the American Legion Auxiliary #30 and VFW Ladies Auxiliary #3770. She was honored by the Business and Professional Women’s Club in 1992 as Woman of the Year. She was a charter member of the Texas County Republican Women. Mary was a patriotic Republican and served as a committee woman for many years in Texas County. She also worked as an election clerk and judge.
Mary was a loving and caring wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. She had a great love of life, family, and friends. She never met a stranger and loved to visit and share her many adventures. Mary greatly enjoyed spending time on the farm, working in her vegetable and flower gardens. She will be truly missed by those who knew and loved her.
Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Dale Worrel on February 20, 1991; and by one brother: Francis Forbes.
She is survived by her three daughters: Sandra Piper and her husband, Lee, of Waynesville, Missouri, Janis Richmond of Springfield, Missouri, and Patsy Worrel of Mtn. Grove; four brothers: Ted Forbes and his wife, Pauline, John Forbes and his wife, Barbara, Robert Forbes and Clyde Forbes; four sisters: Zetta Mae Trautman, Jean Brewer, Joann Webb, and Dixie Hutchison and Jim O’Hara; two grandchildren: John “Jay” Richmond and Justin Richmond; two great-grandchildren: Keaton and Lucas Richmond; many nieces and nephews; and other relatives and friends.
Mary’s family wishes to express their sincere thanks and gratitude to the administration and staff at The Manor at Elfindale in Springfield, Missouri, for the wonderful care they gave her.

Memorial Contributions:
Mtn. Grove Historical & Arts Council – St. Jude’s Children’s Hospice – or the Charity of Choice c/o the funeral home.