Richard Donald McLemore

Richard Donald McLemore of Hayti, Missouri passed away peacefully, in his sleep, sometime between 5:30am and 6:00am on Monday, February 12th, 2024; at Kingdom Care Senior Living Home in Fulton, Missouri, where he had lived for 2 years. He was 82 years old.

Richard was preceded in death by his mother, Addie Dees-McLemore of Hayti, Missouri; His father, Harvey McLemore of Hayti, Missouri; His brothers, Vernon McLemore (Ramona) of Florida; Harvey McLemore Jr. (Anna) of Braggadocio Missouri; George McLemore; Floyd McLemore (Joanne) of Braggadocio, Missouri; Jimmy McLemore (Opal) of Braggadocio, Missouri; Ray McLemore (Mary) of Kennet, Missouri; Edgar McLemore (Nancy) of East Prairie, Missouri; and his sisters, Marie McLemore-Chavis (Levi) of Red Bay, Alabama; Dorothy McLemore-Koontz of Hayti, Missouri; Elaine McLemore; Bonnie McLemore-Vaughn (Eddie) of Braggadocio, Missouri; His first wife, Virginia Johnson-McLemore; His second wife, Luella Wiseman-Shubert-McLemore; his son, Richard Daniel (Danny) McLemore of Hayti, Missouri; and his granddaughter, Ambrea Dawn Scott of Qulin, Missouri.

Richard is survived by his sister Gladys Dobbins (Vernon) of Hayti, Missouri; His brother Edward McLemore (Manetta) of Sikeston, Missouri; His two sons; Donnie McLemore (Katherine) of Round Rock, Texas, and George (Bobo) McLemore of Steele, Missouri; his daughter; Lourie Joan McLemore-Nolan (Darren) of New Bloomfield, Missouri; and his grandchildren; Autumn (Nikki) Aaron of Jonesboro, Arkansas and Dylan McLemore of Blytheville, Arkansas; and many great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

Richard was born in Hayti, Missouri and remained in the Missouri Bootheel area for most of his life; moving away to Michigan, Illinois, and Florida for work when opportunities were short back home. In 1966, Richard found love with Virginia, who had an infant son, George. They married and in 1967 the family welcomed another son, Donnie. In 1969 the growing family welcomed a daughter, Lourie Joan, and in 1974 their 3rd and final son, Danny was born. Richard was a good father to his children, who remember nights when he would come home late with bloody feet from long days of work on farms, in factories, at cotton gins, or wherever he could find work to provide for his family.

Richard and Virginia raised their children into adulthood and were married for 30 years when he lost her to cancer in 1997. In 1998, Richard found love again with Luella. They married and lived happily for 20 years before he lost her to a stroke.

Richard lived alone for as long as he was physically able, visiting with his sisters and brothers who lived near him, and being visited by his children when they could make it to the area, before becoming physically incapacitated so that he was incapable of living outside of a medically staffed facility. At this point he moved into an independent living/assisted living/skilled care facility in Fulton Missouri, near his daughter. He spent the last two years of his life making new friends, joking and laughing with his family/loved ones on the phone, picking at his daughter about whatever he could, and flirting with nurses, aids, residents, and any other female he encountered.

Richards last day was a good one and he died peacefully in his sleep. He will be forever loved and missed by his children, family, and friends. .

Rest in peace, Daddy. You have earned it.