Mabel Pauline (Cooper) Clendenin

Mabel Pauline Clendenin, 103, of Cape Girardeau, passed away Monday, Nov. 15, 2021, at her home in Cape Girardeau.

She was born at home on the farm on March 27, 1918, in Butler County near Poplar Bluff, Missouri. She was the daughter of Elmer Lee and Virgie Mary Jones Cooper. She and Charles W. Clendenin were married Sept. 18, 1942, enjoying 67 years of loving partnership until his death on March 2, 2010.

Mabel was a long-standing member and supporter of Grace United Methodist Church in Cape Girardeau. She was a teacher, veteran's wife, mother, homemaker, artist, grandmother, great-grandmother and master storyteller. A maker of all sorts, Mabel found particular enjoyment in painting landscapes, sewing and knitting. She was an avid reader, mall walker and patriot. Even at the age of 103, she still had her wit and wisdom. Mabel will be remembered as a sassy lady who was always up for a good c onversation or a reason to laugh. 

Loving survivors include son-in-law, Milburn McCall of Hayti, Missouri; daughter-in-law, Lynn Clendenin of Irmo, South Carolina; three grandchildren, Kristin (Matthew) Wenc of Chicago, Sarah (Nathan) Crowe of Charleston, South Carolina, and Robert (Jessica) Clendenin of Charleston; four great-grandchildren, Ella and Lily Crowe and Carter and Willa Clendenin.

Also surviving are two siblings, Jack Cooper of Braydenton, Florida, Barbara Strader of Selma, Oregon, and a sister-in-law, Almeda Cooper of Conyers, Georgia.

She was preceded in death by her husband, daughter, Sharon McCall, and son Dr. C.W. “Bill” Clendenin, Jr. 

Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday at McCombs Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau.

Funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Eric Schmidt officiating. 

Interment will follow in Cape County Memorial Park Cemetery in Cape Girardeau.

Memorials may take the form of contributions Grace United Methodist Church, Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau or Toys for Tots.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting mccombsfuneralhome.com.

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