Melaney Mathis

Melaney Magruder Mathis passed from this life peacefully on Thursday, August 4, 2022 after a lengthy illness. She was a New Year’s baby, born on January 1, 1947, the oldest of three children to Warren and Mary Margery (Nonnie) Magruder. Melaney was truly a “Pike County” girl, having lived most of her life there. Her formative years were spent in the Clopton schools graduating in 1964. She attended college in what is now Truman State University in Kirksville, MO where she met and married a young physician. When he was drafted and went to Vietnam, Melaney came back to Eolia and stayed for that year. Following his return, they moved to Chesterfield, MO where they resided for over twenty years. Melaney was community-minded, always giving of herself to worthwhile causes. She was most active and held offices in the local, state, and national osteopathic auxiliaries, receiving the Medallion Award from the MO Assn. of Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons for meritorious service to the profession. She was also a member of the St. Louis Variety Club Women and an advocate for child abuse. In 1991 Melaney returned to her beloved Pike County and opened the Prairieville General Store, operating it until 2006. This was a gathering place and an important part of the Eolia community. She served on the Pike County Home Health, and Hospice Endowment Board, the Clopton Alumni Board, and the Pike County RIII School Board. She was also involved in the family business and was active in the Missouri Limestone Producers Association. In each and all of these organizations she organized fundraisers: golf tournaments, dinners, and special events. Melaney was a life-long member of the Eolia Methodist Church. In retirement she pursued other passions: golfing, reading, watching St. Louis Cardinal baseball games, and she continued to organize charity events. Her real passion however, was her love and support for all her friends including two groups; the “Eolia Kids” as she called them (those who went all twelve years of school together), and her ATOG friends from osteopathic auxiliary days (All the Old Gals) who gathered every summer for thirty years, and of course, her dear family. Melaney was preceded in death by her parents, brother Mike, and husband, Walt Mathis. She is survived by her loving partner Reggie Penberthy, her brother Mark (Barb) Magruder, nephew Austin Magruder, niece Heather (Mike) McAlone and children Connor and Cooper, nephew Adam (Cassie) Magruder and children Mason and Ada, numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. Visitation will be Monday August 8, 2022, from 4-8 p.m. at the Collier Funeral Home, 117 Barnard Drive, Louisiana, MO 63353. A Celebration of Life will be held on Tuesday August 9, 2022 at 11.00 a.m. at the Eolia Methodist Church. Burial will be at the St. Johns Cemetery in Eolia, MO. Pallbearers are Adam Magruder, Austin Magruder, Mike McAlone, Blake Penberthy, Mark Liana, and Drew Grimes. Honorary pallbearers are Tommy White, Donnie Tucker, Mark Harvey, Bruce Penberthy, and Philip Smith. In lieu of flowers a donation in Melaney’s honor may be made to the Pike County Home and Hospice Endowment Board or the Eolia Methodist Church in care of Collier Funeral Home.

Melaney Mathis

January 1, 1947 - August 4, 2022