Gerry Mabry

April 23, 1924 - July 31, 2019

Anna Geraldine “Gerry” Mabry As a teenager at the age of fourteen, Anna Mabry accepted God’s call and entered religious life at Ft. Smith, Arkansas. For seventeen years, Sister Mary Alice devoted herself in service to the Benedictine Sisters as a novice, school teacher and spiritual mentor to students in the parish of St. Joseph in Paris, Arkansas. Throughout her life, Anna was unswerving in her faith and evangelized purposefully to all who were willing to listen; and to some who were not. When she was thirty-one, Anna embarked on a new path in the vocation of motherhood, but not before she found gainful employment. In the footsteps of the family trade (her father and brother were barbers) she moved to Kansas City and became a beautician. There she met widower, Bob Mabry and his two children, Catherine and Richard. Bob and Anna married on June 15, 1957 at Guardian Angels Church in the Westport section of Kanas City. Soon this family would grow to six children with the addition of Sally, Tim, Rob and Jon. Anna Geraldine Klenklen was born on April 23, 1924 in Pilot Grove, Missouri to Helen and George Klenklen; the first of three children. In the midst of the depression, daily life was challenging in this hardscrabble mid-Missouri town near Booneville. Life’s material needs were scarce but, in the bonds of a wonderful family and community, love was abundant. And that is the legacy Mumz leaves with us! Like many pursuits in her life, one might say Anna took the road less traveled in search of family life: find children first. When asked years later, “What did you see in your husband?” Mumz matter-of-factly replied, “I fell in love with those adorable children! Bob… He took a little longer.” In retirement, the Mabrys bought property and built a home at Laurie, Missouri where they lived together until Buff passed away in 1997. For the next 18 years, Mumz thrived independently at the Lake, nurturing her faith at St. Patrick’s Shrine and hosting family and friends while creating happy memories that will last for generations. Her hobbies included dance, crafts, baking and participation in a hillbilly style Kitchen Band dedicated to the entertainment of shut-ins and nursing home residents throughout the Ozarks. Lawrence Welk or Hee Haw had nothing on performances by the Kitchen Band! A Memorial Mass will take place at Guardian Angels Catholic Church, 1310 Westport Road, Kansas City, Missouri 64111 at 10:00 a.m. on August 24, 2019, Fr. Edward Willis presiding. Please join the family for a gathering in the church basement following Mass. Instead of flowers, consider a donation to Little Sisters of the Poor, 8745 James A. Reed Road, Kansas City, Missouri 64138. Cremation arrangements are under the care and direction of the Kidwell-Garber Laurie/Sunrise Beach Chapel.