Stella Maulsby Mcfarland

Stella Maulsby McFarland

Stella Maulsby McFarland, age 81, died Tuesday, January 13, 2009, at the Putnam County Memorial Hospital in Unionville, MO.
The daughter of Pearl and Geneva (Geist) Smith, Stella was born April 1, 1927, in Mason City, IA. Pearl and Geneva’s legacy to their children was to be a Christian and to have a Christian home and to pass this legacy on to their children. This is also Stella’s legacy to future generations. Stella grew up in a loving home and the family has carried this love for each other through the years. After the death of Stella’s parents, Bob and Stella willingly and lovingly took into their home Stella’s sisters, Donna, Dorothy, and Nancy. They were a family. It was common knowledge that Stella loved and worshipped her mama and Stella tried to be a mother to her sisters; they knew they were loved.
At the age of four Stella moved to Unionville, MO, where she lived the remainder of her life. She attended the West Dodson school for her first two years, then completed the rest of her education in the Unionville schools and graduated in 1945. As a young girl, Stella worked in the Piercey home and also was a waitress in the restaurants. After graduation Stella went to Kansas City and worked for the Pratt-Whitney airplane factory until World War II was over. She then worked for General Telephone as a telephone operator.
Stella was married to Robert “Bob” Maulsby June 21, 1944 and they had almost 42 years together before Bob’s sudden death on April 27, 1986. Their home was blessed with a son, Robert Patrick and a daughter, Mary Ann.
Stella married Clifford McFarland on April 1, 1989 and they had eight years together before Clifford’s death on April 30, 1997.
Stella accepted Christ as her Savior, baptized at the age of nine, and was a member of the First Baptist Church where she served her Lord faithfully working with children and teaching a adult Sunday School class. Everyone knew of Stella’s love for her Lord.
Stella is survived by her son, Patrick and his wife Marsha, of Joplin, MO; and by her daughter, Mary Ann Bell of Nevada, MO. Her five grandchildren are Sean Maulsby, Cheri Smith, Chad Maulsby, Amy Shirrell and LouAnn Majors. Stella’s great grandchildren are Kaylee, Kyla, and Kaleb Smith, Alexandra, Isabelle, and Cadmon Maulsby, Nathanial Maulsby, Elizabeth and Noah Shirrell, Madyson and Mason Majors and they were one of the great joys for Stella through the years. Stella is also survived by a brother, Jim Smith and wife Fay of Tucson, AZ; and four sisters, Lois Munden, Dorothy Myre and husband Don, and Nancy Cummins and husband Bill, all of Unionville, MO, and Donna Fisher of Ottumwa, IA. Several nieces and nephews also survive and they knew Stella’s home was always opened to them. Stella’s church family also survives as well as many friends.
Stella was preceded in death by her parents and her in-laws, Grover and Edna Maulsby, who were wonderful parents to Stella and she loved them dearly. A sister, Maxine Osterberg and brother, James Albert Smith also preceded her in death as well as a precious baby grand daughter, Lori Elaine Maulsby.
Funeral services for Stella were Saturday, January 17, 2009 at the First Baptist Church in Unionville, MO, with visitation the preceding evening. Pastors Chris Myers and Robert Harrison conducted the service. Stella’s brother, Pastor Jim Smith, shared a eulogy. Music was provided by Kevin and Brenda Collins who sang “It Is Well With My Soul.” A recorded number, “What A Day That Will Be” was played and the congregation sang “Amazing Grace.” Casket bearers were, Sean Maulsby, Chad Maulsby, Jeremy Smith, Brad Majors, Mike Shirrell, Joe Probasco, and Paul Myre. Rocky Burns and Don Summers were honorary casket bearers. Interment was in the Unionville Cemetery.
Memorials are suggested to the missions fund at the First Baptist Church in Unionville, MO, and may be entrusted with Playle and Jones Family Funeral Home, 709 S. 27th St., Unionville, MO, 63565.