Betty Jodie J. McKee

Betty J. Jodie McKee, known to her loved ones as Jodie, died in her sleep Wednesday, September 9th at the Life Care Center of Longmont. Her daughter Anitra Schlieker of Mead and her dear friend and neighbor Irma Jones of Longmont were with her when she died. Jodie McKee was 81 years old.Mrs. McKee is survived by, Mrs. Schlieker and her husband Jim, and their son Brett and wife Mary of Nampa, Idaho; by her son, Allen and wife Mae of San Francisco; by her brothers and their families, Ernest Clippard and Frank Clippard of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, Curt Clippard of Greenbrier, Missouri and Lonnie Clippard of Advance, Missouri, and by one sister, Genora Kaye Lampman, also of Cape Girardeau. Her many friends in Colorado and Missouri will remember her with love. Mrs. McKee was preceded in death by her parents, John and Ruby Clippard; by her husband of 59 years, Glen A. McKee; and by two sisters, Doralee and Wanda.Jodie Clippard was born at home on her family's farm in Greenbrier, a rural community in Southern Missouri in 1933. She grew up on that farm with her brothers and sisters and learned there the values of hard work and close family that shaped her life for years to come. She fell in love with and married Glen McKee, who had grown up on a farm nearby, after he completed his service in World War II and together they raised their young family in Missouri, Iowa and Arkansas before settling for many years in Cape Girardeau. In 1977, they moved to Longmont where they lived happily for the rest of their lives.Jodie McKee's life centered on family, and though she was a valued employee for years at Osterloh's Bookstore in Cape Girardeau, and later at Meyer's Hardware Store in Longmont, her principal occupation and greatest pleasure was her home. She was famous for the country cooking she brought with her from Greenbrier - her biscuits and gravy, fried chicken and strawberry shortcake (made not with cake, but with piecrusts) were family treasures. A spirited and fearless lady, she was beloved among her family and friends for being such a comically poor singer she could render Happy Birthday unrecognizable. She often laughed until tears came to her eyes.A memorial service will be held at Ahlberg Funeral Chapel, Wednesday, September 16th at 10:30 a.m. with reception to follow at the chapel. Memorial contributions may be made to TRU Community Care (formerly Hospice Care of Boulder County) in care of Ahlberg. Visit www.ahlbergfuneralchapel.com to share condolences.