Mary Alice (Murphy) Fanning, 90, of Kirksville, Missouri, passed away Wednesday (November 20, 2013) at Twin Pines Adult Care Center in Kirksville.

The daughter of James Roy and Mable (Roach) Murphy, she was born March 18, 1923 in Milan, Missouri. On April 5, 1943 in Milan, Missouri, Mary was united in marriage to Francis “Gaylon” Fanning who preceded her in death on July 6, 1998.

She was also preceded in death by her parents; two sons, David Gayl in 1951 and Steven Ray in 1998; one brother, James Murphy and one sister, Lois Nord.

Mary is survived by one son and daughter-in-law, Mark and Arina Fanning of Kirksville, MO; nine grandchildren, Jan Fanning, Max Fanning, Marina Fanning, Marci Wilhite, Jami Millhouse, Lindsey Battes, Steven K. Fanning, Scott Fanning and Kaitlin Bustraan; twelve great-grandchildren; her daughter-in-law, Kathi Fanning of Ocala, FL, and several nieces and nephews.

Mary was raised in Milan, Missouri and was a graduate from Milan High School. She then attended Kirksville State Teachers College in Kirksville. Mary taught K-6th grade at a Milan rural school. After her marriage Mary resided in California while her husband served his country. They returned to the Kirksville area to make their home after the service and Mary was a homemaker and raised her family a number of years before going to work for Belles-Hess Catalog Store. She was last employed at Kewanee until her retirement.

Mary was meticulous about her yard and loved working in her flower beds.

Mary was a member of the First Christian Church, Country Cousins Dance Club, P.E.O. Chapter CZ, Eastern Star and of several Bridge Clubs.

Public visitation will be held Saturday (November 23, 2013) with family receiving friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the chapel of Travis-Noe Funeral Home in Kirksville.

Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m. Sunday (November 24, 2013) at Travis-Noe Funeral Home in Kirksville, with Janice Legg officiating. Interment will follow the service at Oak Wood Cemetery in Milan, MO.

Pallbearers will be Jan Fanning, Max Fanning, Steven Fanning, Scott Fanning, Phillip Bustraan and Stanley Martin.

Expressions of sympathy in memory of Mary Fanning may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association. Memorials may be left at or mailed to Travis-Noe Funeral Home, P.O. Box 306, Kirksville, MO 63501.