Daisy LaVerne McClanahan, age 71, of Willard, Missouri, passed away peacefully on August 24, 2026.

Daisy was born on October 19, 1954, in Atlanta, Georgia, to Ruth May Wray (LaComb) and her stepfather, Leslie Andrew Wray.

Daisy married Jerry McClanahan on February 3, 1997, in Eureka Springs, Arkansas.

Throughout her life, Daisy was known for her kind, generous, and giving heart. She graduated from Westark Community College in 1979 and went on to build a career in nursing, a profession that was truly a calling for her. Daisy spent 23 years working at the Federal Medical Center before retiring and continuing her passion for caring for others through hospice care. She had a remarkable ability to make people feel cared for, comforted, and loved. Her patients knew her not simply as a nurse, but as someone who brought compassion and kindness wherever she went. If you asked any of them about Daisy, they would likely say, “She was an angel heaven sent.”

While caring for others was an important part of who Daisy was, her family was her greatest joy. She adored her children, grandchildren, and extended family and treasured every moment she spent with them. Her grandchildren held a particularly special place in her heart, and she loved nothing more than spoiling them and watching them grow. She was happiest when surrounded by the people she loved. Daisy also leaves behind many beloved nieces and nephews who loved her dearly and will forever cherish the memories they shared with her. She held a special place in their hearts, and her love for them was returned many times over.

Daisy also had a wonderful love for the simple pleasures of life. She loved to cook and rarely followed a recipe. In fact, if you asked her how she made something delicious, she probably couldn’t tell you exactly—she simply knew how to make it taste good. She loved her dogs and enjoyed spending time outdoors, whether hiking, exploring, or simply sitting quietly and watching nature around her.

Daisy’s caring spirit extended to everyone she met. She gave generously of herself, loved deeply, and never hesitated to help someone in need. Her warmth, humor, compassion, and unwavering love for her family will be remembered and cherished by all who knew her.

Daisy is survived by her husband, Jerry McClanahan; her daughter, Alicia Buchanan; her granddaughter, Randi Baus; her stepsons, Josh McClanahan and his wife, Sarah, and their daughters, Kaya and Ada; and Matthew McClanahan and his wife, Annie, and their children, Spencer and Thea; her sister, Karen Bunch; nephew, Wesley Godfrey as well as many other beloved extended family members and friends who loved her dearly.

Daisy was preceded in death by her parents, Les and Ruth Wray; her brother, Fred Denny; her brother-in-law, Don Bunch; and many other beloved sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, September 2, 2026, from 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. at Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home. Funeral Service will follow at 2:00 p.m. in the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Dementia Society of America.

Daisy will be deeply missed by her family, friends, former patients, and all who had the privilege of knowing her. Her greatest legacy will be the love she gave so freely, the lives she touched through her caring heart, and the beautiful family she cherished above all else. She will remain forever loved and forever remembered.