Claranne Gargus Bayless of Sullivan, MO, passed away Tuesday, April 19, 2016 at the age of 73 years.
Claranne was born on January 5, 1943 in Highland, IL to the late Clarence Bell Gargus, Sr. and Rebecca Ruth Humphrey Gargus. When Claranne was one year old, her family moved to Stanton, MO, where her father operated a sawmill.
Claranne married Vernon Brown, Sr. on July 3rd, 1960. This union brought forth two sons, Wayne Brown and Vernon Brown, Jr., and a daughter, Juanita “Angel” Brown.
Claranne later married Charles W. Bayless on July 30, 1977. Claranne was blessed with two more sons, Charles Bayless and Thomas Bayless.
For the majority of her life, Claranne lived in and was employed in the Franklin County area, most notably, Sullivan.
Claranne lived a family-oriented life. Her priority was providing for her children. Later in life, it would be her grandchildren that she focused most of her time on. Claranne always made sure her children and grandchildren were well taken care of. She liked having the grandchildren for sleepovers at Grandma’s house. She especially looked forward to celebrating birthdays and holidays with them. She felt so much joy watching the younger ones open their presents. For Christmas, to those who may not have gotten a gift of clothing, or toys, or movies or games from Claranne, there was always cookies and fudge. She made so much fudge that if you showed up at her house, you would be leaving with a good amount. (Just be sure to bring her plate back!)
Claranne was artistic, as shown by a few of her paintings that have been displayed. That artistic touch was also on display by the way she decorated her home. There was fine furniture, as well as beautiful pictures, houseplants, and other decor all pieced together and put in place exactly where she wanted them. She took pride in the way her home looked, and it was always clean.
Claranne was hospitable. When you knocked on her door, she opened it with a genuine smile on her face. She enjoyed visitors. If it was morning, there would be a fresh pot of coffee. If you were hungry, Claranne would have a meal on the table for you in short time. If you were tired, you could take a nap and she would be quiet while you slept. Claranne wanted her guests to be comfortable in her home.
Claranne was inquisitive. She spent countless hours researching the Gargus and Boone family lineage. Claranne compiled a large amount of paperwork concerning her family history, and kept them like a prized possession. She would bring up ancestors you have never heard of, but she was so knowledgeable of them that you would think she had known them. She enjoyed discussing these subjects with anyone who was interested.
Another hobby Claranne enjoyed was collecting family pictures. She had multiple pictures of every family member, many framed and proudly on display in her home. She would often have pictures that people had forgotten were taken, or never knew existed at all. As we see today, this is certainly a blessing that she has left us.
Claranne enjoyed family gatherings. She looked forward to Gargus family reunions, float-trips, barbecues, and any other reason to be together with her loved ones. These were also times for her to prepare some of her best dishes for extended family members and friends.
Claranne preferred country music. She enjoyed singers like Loretta Lynn, Patsy Cline, Waylon Jennings and Johnny Cash. Sometimes, a song would bring back memories of her younger days, and she would start retelling a tale of days long past. Other times, Claranne would talk about her dad. He was the hardest worker she ever knew. She would talk about how when she was young, her dad would come home from working at the sawmill, and ask her to fix one of his favorite meals, like only she could. She would brag about her dad like only a loving daughter can do. She missed her daddy so much.
And now, Claranne will also be missed so much by those of us who love her and were blessed to have had her in our lives. We look forward to seeing her beautiful smile again in the Kingdom of our God, and His Son, Jesus Christ.
Claranne is survived by her children; Vernon Brown, Jr. of Sullivan, MO, Angel White and husband Bob of Bourbon, MO, Charles Bayless and wife Andrea of Union, MO, Tom Bayless and wife Jennifer of Bourbon, MO; 12 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren, two brothers; Tom Gargus and wife Vicky of Reno, NV, Clarence Bell Gargus, Jr. of Sullivan, MO, two sisters; Martha Jones of St. Clair, MO, and Glenda Bates of Stanton, MO; her grandchildren, other relatives and many friends.
Claranne was preceded in death by her parents; Clarence and Ruth Gargus, husband; Charles Bayless, one son; Clyde Wayne Brown, one brother; Charles E. Gargus, a brother-in-law; Jerry Jones, a sister-in-law; Imelda Gargus, a grandson; Brandon White, and a niece; Traci Schuler.
Funeral services wereconducted at 1 p.m. on Friday, April 22, 2016 at the Eaton Southside Chapel, 301 Sappington Bridge Road, Sullivan, MO, with interment in I.O.O.F. Memorial Cemetery withLeroy Wiese officiating.