Ima Jean Tarry was born August 8, 1932 in Clauene, Texas to Cecil O. Benge and Ima Cleo Melton Benge. She lived in that rural area until 1947 when her family moved to Lovington, New Mexico. She married Lester Sidney Tarry, Jr. on June 16, 1951 in Lovington and that was their primary residence for fifty-one years until they relocated to Springfield, Missouri in 2001. Ima is preceded in death by her husband, one daughter, Paula Byars and several siblings. Ima is survived by daughters Gayla Austin, Donna Meil and Cecilia Cook of the Springfield area. Also surviving are eleven grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren and her brother Benny Benge of Lovington, New Mexico. Ima is remembered as the feisty lady wearing a hat'. She enjoyed people and they in turn enjoyed her. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Fair Grove and had wonderful neighbors and friends in the area. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, June 13, 2011 in Gorman-Scharpf Brentwood Chapel with the Reverend Dale Rose officiating. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. on Sunday in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made for the Relief of Joplin, MO. Miss Ima would have wanted to be a part of that rebuilding.