McMurtry Leoda Maye "Mimi" (nee Clemens) 85 joined her loving family in Paradise on May 4 2012. Born September 23 1926 in Louisville Kentucky to Fischer and Cecilia (Mattingly) Clemens she was the second youngest of eight children. She grew up in Bardstown Kentucky and attended Bardstown High School. Because her mother died when Maye was only two years old she spent a lot of time with her aunt Kate Clemens and her beloved uncle Louis "Unkie" Clemens in Louisville whom she described as the finest man she had ever known. She was a natural beauty and all through her adult life she was told she looked just like Elizabeth Taylor. After a gracious thank you she would jokingly say that she rather thought Elizabeth Taylor looked like her! Although fundamentally shy she was known by family and friends for her keen wit and sweetness. On June 23 1945 in Louisville KY she married the love of her life Ferhn Vance McMurtry. They raised three children in Louisville KY and were the quintessential all-American familya hardworking loving stay-at-home mother and a civil service professional father. Vacations were rare but very frequent visits to Vance's family in Greenbrier Tennessee and her family in Bardstown Kentucky served to strengthen extended family bonds and generate wonderful family memories. She was an active member of Beechmont United Methodist Church in Louisville KY and was the editor of the Adult Sunday school monthly newsletter which she named the "Methodispatch". She was a gifted crochet artist and made religious masterpieces bedspreads tablecloths clothing for her daughters miniature high heel shoes and afghans to name but a few. Each time she entered her crocheted pieces in the Volusia County Fair she won First Place and Best in Show ribbons. A very responsibly frugal home maker she was determined to fix items rather than replace them. She had impressive business acumen and used it to the benefit of her family and her home. Called Mimi (as opposed to Granny!) by her family she was known for her sense of humor. Because of the value she placed on education she read her set of encyclopedias from A to Z twice and read the Old and New Testament three times! In 1976 she and her husband moved to Daytona Beach FL after having vacationed there annually for 13 years. In 1987 she traveled to Italy Switzerland France and England with her daughters and granddaughter Tammaye. In 1992 she visited Egypt Israel and Greece and was particularly moved by her visit to the Holy Land. Despite the absence of a maternal role model she was an extraordinarily adoring mother who always gave superb advice and guidance to her children. She was both fun and funny a very loyal friend and valued family above all else. She was preceded in death by her husband Ferhn Vance McMurtry after 41 years of marriage; her parents; brothers William Louis and Chester Clemens; sisters Mary Catherine Hardin Mamie Durbin Sally Snellen and Christine Clemens; and two nephews. She is survived by her children Dr. Beverly McMurtry Grissom Ormond Beach FL; Garry Vance McMurtry South Daytona FL; and Terri McMurtry Deal (Don) Flagler Beach. Grandchildren Tammaye Grissom Murray (Luke) Apple Hill Ontario Canada and Flagler Beach FL; Christopher Vance McMurtry (Tabitha) DeLand FL; Susan Taylor McMurtry Altamonte Springs FL; Matthew Donovan Deal (Ashley) Palm Coast FL; four great-grandchildren Kristin Brooke Alissa and Danny; six sisters-in-law; and a host of nieces and nephews. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday May 12th at 12:00 noon at Lohman Funeral Home; 733 W. Granada Blvd. Ormond Beach FL. The family will receive friends one hour prior to services. There will be a reception following the service. Interment will be in the Robertson County Memorial Gardens in Springfield TN. Memorial contributions may be made to the Maye McMurtry GED Scholarship Fund at Daytona State College Foundation.
Condolences may be shared with the family at www.lohmanfuneralhomes.com. Arrangements are under the careful direction of Lohman Funeral Home Ormond.