Margery Grace (Sweet) Rich was born September 12, 1921 to Albert and Ruth Sweet.  She was the third of four children, having an older sister Beryl, older brother Dale, and younger sister Darlene.  She graduated from Lamar High School in 1939 and began her teaching career in 1940 at Lonestar, a one room school northwest of Liberal, Missouri.  After a second year of teaching at a rural school, she began classes at Southwest Missouri State, earning her Missouri State Teaching Certificate in 1942.   She held various jobs while attending college, working for Life and Casualty Insurance, Springfield News and Leader, and Southwest Bell Telephone.  She met Clarence Allen Rich in 1947 and they were married March 26, 1948.

Allen and Margery's married life started in Arkansas where their first child, Jimmy, was born.  Subsequent births of Jerry, Joey, and Judy came after their move back to Missouri.  Margery spent her time as a mother, homemaker, P.T.A. president, member of Mother's Club and Book Club.  She was also a Girl Scout Leader and Cub Scout Den Mother.  She taught at Cave Springs, a one room school near Marshfield.  She graduated in 1966 with her B.S. in education from Southwest Missouri State.  That year she began teaching 1 ^st grade in Marshfield, Missouri.  She graduated with her Masters of Education from Drury University in 1972.  Margery retired from Marshfield Public Schools in 1984.  She and Allen moved to Springfield where she substituted in the Springfield Public Schools, worked at the Greenwood Laboratory School, and worked at the SMSU Admissions Office, retiring in 1990.  She continued to be active by bowling, selling Avon and Amway, volunteering, including at Cowden Elementary, traveling, and enjoying her grandchildren.

Margery is remembered for her energy, can-do attitude, adventure, creativity, organization, positive willingness to handle anything that came her way, and being a wonderful mom.

As a homemaker, Marge's fried chicken and pecan pie with its flaky crust were unrivaled.  She was always creating something, crocheting an afghan or making Christmas ornaments or creating a painting.

Our reminiscing included the following.  Joey remembers that mother had a "spanking board" that was about 5/8" thick, 15 inches long and maybe 2 inches wide. "I was given my share of it on my rear end, but I'm pretty sure after a while just the threat of it being used was enough for me to straighten up, or not repeat the bad behavior!"

It was amazing to all of us how she could bring a big meal together at the same time and everything hot and ready. The kids often washed and rinsed dishes, taking turns from day to day. She was nearly always doing something, knitting, sewing, caring for the outdoor plants, helping us with homework or whatever.  Joey specifically remembers many, many times being comforted by her after some accident while playing. "I felt very close to her especially when she would rub my back or stroke my hair. One time, perhaps the summer after high school graduation, we went to Springfield to shop for clothes, and we went to see a movie. Not sure but I think it was Butterflies are Free. I decided later that my mom was even "cooler" than I thought and decided it was okay for my friends to see me hanging out with my Mom."

Joey worked for over a year as an announcer at KEMM-AM radio station in Marshfield, sign on to sign off, every Sunday. "It was a daytime station, so it could be 6 am to 8 pm in the summer, more like 7:30-5 in the winter. Every week, Mom would fix up a picnic basket for me and bring it to the station. I remember getting really ready for her to show up sometimes as I would get hungry! Those longer days she would bring 2 meals worth and MAN was it great food. Probably my favorite was the fried chicken.

It took me years to totally figure it out, but I was so blessed to have such loving parents as my Mom and Dad. Always there, often behind the scenes, but there to catch me any time I would fall!"

Mom's energy and adventure was evidenced one day when she was 73 and she and Judy were walking home from the local mall and she suggested taking the culvert under Fremont (a busy street in Springfield) on the way back home….just for fun.  Yes, a 3 ft. hole that ran under Fremont.  That time, like so many, resulted in laughter and wonder that such things could be done.  When taking a hot air balloon ride, also at the age of 73, Judy, by her side, hung on for dear life while Mom waved at those below and embraced every minute of the ride.

Judy's reminiscing includes playing canasta every day during summer break, betting a quarter per bowling game as we listened to Tony Orlando and Dawn's "Tie A Yellow Ribbon 'Round The Old Oak Tree" on the jukebox, being in awe of the lights of the JC Penney's at the new Battlefield Mall, and being in awe as she was one of the first to have a computer.  "During her retirement we traveled to New York, Hawaii, Houston and many local places and she was always up for adventure including a helicopter ride in Hawaii, a trek down the treacherous path to an Arkansas waterfall, major league baseball games…I don't think she ever said no to a physically challenging adventure.

I cherish her lovingly-made afghans which I've shared with many friends and family members.  She and I loved to sing and harmonize which we did up to her last few months.  Our favorites include "You Are My Sunshine", "Mairzy Doats", "Show Me The Way to Go Home", and any Christmas carol!  I'm going to miss her so very much, but I'm so very grateful to have had a wonderful mom for so many years."