Clara Irene McCrory, 98, of Holton, KS, formerly of Denison, KS, passed away Friday, July 23, 2021 at Medicalodge Jackson County. She was born October 16, 1922 in Idana, KS, the daughter of Robert James and Amelda J. (Black) Mann.    

Clara graduated from Clay County Community High School in Clay Center, Kansas. She also earned a “normal training” certificate and taught in one room school houses in Clay County.  She later worked at JC Penney in Clay Center.  Upon marriage in 1948, she moved to Denison and lived as a farm wife at Denison.  She later worked at JC Penney in Holton, then Luce Press Clipping Bureau in Topeka.  She lived on the family farm until she moved to Minnesota to live with her daughter & family in Minnesota for 2 years.  She then moved back to Kansas in 2014 and lived at Medicalodge in Holton in until her death.   

Clara was a lifetime member of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, a member of the H.D.U. (Home Demonstration Unit) in Holton and Fairview Club.

She married Charles Melvin McCrory on September 1, 1948 in Idana, KS. He preceded her in death on July 23, 1997; after over 49 years of marriage. She was also preceded in death by her parents, a son, Gary M. McCrory (Karen) of Denison and a brother, Howard Mann.

Survivors include her son, Glen McCrory (Karen) of Rossville, KS; 2 daughters, Colleen Oakes (Patrick) of St. Cloud, MN and Carolyn Thornburg (Jerry) of Hoyt, KS; sister, Elva M. McCrory of Denison, KS; 14 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandson.

Funeral Service will be 10:00 a.m. Monday, August 2, 2021 at the Reformed Presbyterian Church in Denison. Burial will follow at the Denison Cemetery. Clara will lie in state at Mercer Funeral Home in Holton from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Saturday, July 31, 2021 and Sunday, August 1, 2021.  Family will greet friends 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. Sunday afternoon. Memorials may be given to the RP Church c/o Mercer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 270, Holton, KS 66436.