Mary Veda (Murphy) McKay
Mary Veda (Murphy) McKay went home to her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on Monday,
January 1, 2024 at the age of 98.
She was born February 24, 1925 in Persia, Iowa the daughter of John W. and Vangy Alice
(Shelten) Murphy.
She lived most of her life in the Latour and Holden area.
She married Charles B. McKay January 7, 1948 in Lee’s Summit. She was preceded in death by
her husband: Charles on May 14, 2007. She leaves one daughter: Shirley M. Gudde; two
grandchildren: Jason Gudde of Holden and Tonya Gudde (Matt) of Lee’s Summit; one sister:
Stella Whiteman of Kingsville; one brother: Bill Murphy of Holden; and a number of nieces and
nephews.
She was preceded in death by her brother: Jim Murphy and two sisters: Freda Shipley and Cletis
Snyder.
Mary worked at Sears & Roebuck for 7 years before becoming a full time farm wife and
homemaker. She was a faithful member of Enon Baptist Church for over 71 years. She served
the Lord as Sunday School teacher, VBS teacher, church treasurer and custodian, among other
jobs. She enjoyed and cared for church family neighbors and friends.
She was a 4-H club leader, election judge at Pittsville for 25 years, member of Pittsville Ladies
Friend Club. She loved flowers and gardening, always sharing her garden produce with
neighbors. Her love for gardening showed with her large garden, abundance of flowers and
pristine yard. One could say she was blessed with a green thumb. She mowed her own yard
until she was 80. Her hands were never idle, sewing dresses, crocheting, making quilts and
painting.
Charles and Mary loved riding over the farm checking on beef cattle. Boating on Sundays after
church at Truman Lake with family and friends was a summer tradition. She enjoyed the boat
ride and watching family and grandkids ski and tube.
Funeral Services will be 2:00 p.m. Sunday, January 7 th at Williams Funeral Chapel in Holden with
Pastor Jerry Lockwood, longtime family friend, officiating. Interment will follow at the Holden
Cemetery.
Memorial contribution may be left to the Holden Cemetery Association or Enon Baptist Church.
Online condolences may be left at www.williamsfuneralchapel.net
