Claudia Marie Maberry, a former resident of Fort Scott, died July 17, 2020 (one day after her 96th birthday) in Vaiden Community Living Center, Vaiden, Mississippi). She was born July 16, 1924, the daughter of Roy Francis Kennedy and Anna Maria Fagerberg Kennedy, in Fort Scott. She attended Fort Scott schools, graduating with the senior class of 1941. She then attended Fort Scott Junior College briefly.
She married Oscar C. Maberry of Garland, Kansas on April 5, 1946. They would have celebrated their 58th anniversary six days after Oscar’s death on March 30, 2004.
Claudia’s first job was at the local ice cream parlor. She then opened and managed Elmer Pargen’s first restaurant before going to work as a seamstress for Key Work Clothes for several years.
Claudia’s most important and valued positions in life were that of devoted wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend. She was an active, member of the now-closed First Christian Church, Disciples of Christ, for 58 years. She was, also, a member of the Builder’s Class, Anna Bender Guild, and served as a board member and deaconess and could be found frequently working in the kitchen preparing meals for various church events. Claudia was proud to be a charter member of Starlite FCE and continued her membership throughout her life.
Claudia moved to Madison, MS, in December, 2016, to live with her daughter and son-in-law.
Claudia was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, one brother, Earl R. Kennedy, and one sister, Elizabeth (Betty) Lee Clinkenbeard. Survivors include her daughter, Cheryl Blacklidge and husband Robert of Madison, MS, one grandson, Brandon Blacklidge of Madison, MS., and a much-loved niece, Shirley Marie Freeman of Kansas City, Kansas and her children Kenny Wilson, and family, and Kimberlee McCannon, and family. Other survivors include a niece, Amy Kennedy, and family, of Portland, Oregon, and two nephews, Jeff Kennedy, and family of Portland, Oregon, and David Kennedy, and family, of Salem, Oregon. She is also survived by one first cousin, Ron Wood and wife Barbara of Fort Scott.
Rev. Reed Hartford will officiate graveside services at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, July 25, 2020, at Evergreen Cemetery under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Evergreen Cemetery. Contributions may be mailed or dropped off at Evergreen Cemetery 914 215th St., Fort Scott, Kansas 666701, or Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home 15 West Wall St. Fort Scott, Kansas. 66701. Condolences may be submitted to the online guest book at konantz-cheney.com.
