Emma Fern McDonald

Emma Fern McDonald was born July 8, 1932 in Wilton, Missouri.  She was the daughter of Oren Wren and Clarice Glascock Wren. 

She departed this life in Cape Girardeau, Missouri on September 11, 2018.  She was 86 years old. 

On August 8, 1958, in Ashland, Missouri she was united in marriage to William Perry McDonald. He preceded her in death in 2011. 

Fern was a very active lady in the community.  She was a member of the Caruthersville Woman’s Club.    For many, many years you would always find her working as an election poll worker.  Fern worked at the office of Grantham, McDonald, McDowell, and Middleton with her husband for many years and then continued to after his death. 

She was a faithful and active member of the Central church of Christ.  She taught Sunday school, sang with others at funerals, worked in the kitchen to provide meals, and went with other ladies of the church to a Thursday devotional group at the local nursing home weekly.  Fern was a lady that could always find contentment and show unconditional love.  She wore a smile at all times and was happy to see and share with others. 

One of her greatest joys was being known as “Grandma Fern” because that is who she was to her grandchildren and great grandchildren.  “Grandma Fern” would be found at any events that her grandchildren and great grandchildren were involved in just as she had been at her children’s for so many years. 

Survived by – 3 daughters – Gayle McDonald – Henderson, Tennessee 

• Gwyn McDowell (Doug) – Caruthersville, Missouri 
• Lisa Gore (Jamie) – Caruthersville, Missouri 

-3 sisters – Esther Lewis, Oleta Forsee, Lora Jones – all of Ashland, Missouri 

– 5 grandchildren – Adam McDowell (Susan), Sara Wood (Richard), Logan Alsup (Natasha), Ben McDonald, Spencer Alsup 

– 6 great grandchildren – Emma Wood, Ansley McDowell, Grayson Wood, Haidyn McDowell, Austin Henage, Kambreigh Henage 

Other relatives and many, many friends 

She was preceded in death by her parents – Oren and Clarice Wren, her husband – Perry McDonald, a son – Randy McDonald, a great granddaughter – Camdyn McDowell, and 3 brothers – Lahmon, Virgil, and Thurman Wren. 

Funeral services were held on Saturday, September 15, 2018 at 12:00 P.M. with Doug McDowell & Brother Mike McDaniel officiating. The interment was in the Little Prairie Cemetery in Caruthersville. Pall-Bearers were Adam McDowell, Logan Alsup, Spencer Alsup, Ben McDonald, Richard Wood and Jon Pruiett.  The H.S. Smith Funeral Home was in charge of the services.