Vera Grace Cullum

Grace Cullum, 84, of Unionville, MO, passed away at the Putnam County Care Center in Unionville on Friday, November 1, 2013. She had been a resident there for about four years.

Vera Grace Cullum was born in Mendota, MO, on November 15, 1928, the daughter of Oscar and Bessie (Mullins) Clinkenbeard, who preceded her in death. She attended the Lone Star rural school in Putnam County. On October 29, 1947, she married Alvin Cullum in Unionville, MO, and he preceded her in death on August 15, 1988.

Grace held jobs as a telephone operator, worked at the Dairy Lane, Ross Produce, and Lupton Meat Locker as well as a cashier at Bob’s Food Mart. She also owned and operated a quilting business, making contacts internationally. Grace had an artistic quality to her, engaging in embroidery and painting quilt blocks. She was also a caregiver for friends, neighbors and family, and especially for her granddaughter Julie, whom she raised and would consider her care and raising of Julie a crowning achievement in life. Grace was an active volunteer with OATS and a member of the First Christian Church in Unionville, MO.

Grace is survived by a daughter, Bessie (Betsy) Timmerberg and her husband Gene of Centralia, MO, and a son, Michael Cullum and wife Rhonda, of Unionville, MO. Nine grandchildren and five great grandchildren also survive as well as a brother, George Clinkenbeard and wife Marge and a sister, Mae Smith, all of Unionville, MO.
Others who preceded Grace in death are a son, Steve Cullum, a granddaughter, Stacey Cullum, four brothers: Alonzo Clinkenbeard, Wilbert Clinkenbeard, Eugene Clinkenbeard, Leslie Clinkenbeard and three sisters, Letha Campbell, Reta McDannald, and Mary Clinkenbeard, who died in infancy.

Funeral services for Grace Cullum will be at Playle and Jones Family Funeral Home in Unionville, MO, at 11:00 am on Monday, November 4, 2013, with visitation one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at the Unionville Cemetery, Unionville, MO.

Memorials are suggested to Hospice of Northeast Missouri or the activities fund at the Putnam County Care Center in Unionville, MO, and may be entrusted with Playle and Jones Family Funeral Home, 709 S. 27th St., Unionville, MO 63565.