Marjory Jean McDermott's Obituary
Marjory Jean Jones-McDermott, formerly of Welch, Oklahoma, went to meet her Lord while sleeping peacefully on January 9th 2014. She was 92 years of age. Her husband of 75 years, Chester, was by her side holding her hand. Her two sons, Howard of Atlanta, Georgia and LeRoy of Warrensburg, Missouri were also in attendance at her departure. Marjory is also survived by five grand children, two great grand children, a brother, Glen Dale Jones of Joplin, Missouri, and a sister Margaret Ellen Sexton of Los Angeles, California. Born in Alfalfa County Oklahoma, the sixth in a family of 12 children, she was no stranger to hard work and her family, church and community were always central to her life. Her life recapitulates the best values of rural small town America and she was always ready to assist family and friends whether it was a meal for the harvest crew or a birthday cake in the shape of a train or horse. Her kitchen and the warm sweet pleasures that are to be traced back to her industry constitute an enduring legacy. Marjory left school in the eighth grade and after her marriage in 1939 farmed with her husband until opportunity led her to work at the Lee garment factory in Chetopa Kansas. After her husband went to work at B.F. Goodrich they purchased the Welch Help-Ur-Self Laundry and moved into Welch. They owned and operated the Laundry for 29 years (1952-1981). Marjory was a member of the Welch First Methodist Church for over 50 years and was particularly active in the Women's League and especially enjoyed singing in the choir. After "retirement" Chet and Marjory" became regulars on the square dancing circuit and attended several regional and national gatherings and competitions. They danced together for almost 30 years and Marjory was well known for the elaborate and colorful his and hers matching outfits which she designed and sewed. Chet and Marjory moved to the John Knox retirement community in Lee's Summit Missouri in 2009. Visitation will be at the Thomas Funeral Home, Welch Oklahoma, on January 16th from 6 to 8 pm with internment in the Pleasant View Cemetery near Dacoma Oklahoma, on Saturday, January 18th at 1 pm.
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