Ethel “Mae” McClister-Gadberry Curry, 87, of Columbia, KY passed away on Saturday, March 1, 2025 at Cumberland County Hospital. She was born on March 7, 1937 to the late Joseph and Nona McClister of Fairplay, KY.
Mae’s professions in life included being a homemaker and seamstress (retiring from Fruit of the Loom) with her last profession as a caregiver for the elderly. Being taught the gospel at an early age by her grandmother, Hallie McClister, whom she admired and loved deeply, Mae had a professed faith in Christ putting him first throughout her life. She had many God-given talents. She enjoyed sewing, crocheting, knitting, crafting, scrapbooking, and cooking and found even more joy in using these talents to give to others. Whether it was making or altering a wedding dress or sewing curtains for someone, baking one of her famous chocolate pies, or crocheting beautiful doilies for a gift, she poured her heart into it to help someone in need or feel extra special with a gift she had made just for them.
In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by her husband, Orville “Dutch” Gadberry of Fairplay, KY; two sons: Ricky Daryl Gadberry and Stephen Lynn Gadberry; one son-in-law, James Clinton Mings; and two sisters: Citie Irene and Opal Amerine.
SURVIVORS:
3 daughters: Judy Mings of Brooks, KY, Donna Bailey (Danny) of Columbia, KY and Pamela Prewitt (Ricky) of Burkesville, KY
2 daughters-in-law: Josephine Gadberry of Columbia, KY and Deborah Bryant of Milltown, KY
6 grandchildren: Jamie Elmore (Pat), Jason Gadberry (Melissa), Bryan Bailey (Katie), Samantha Bryant (Chris), Amanda Prewitt, and David Prewitt (Madison)
13 great-grandchildren
A host of family & friends
Funeral Service: Saturday, March 8, 2025 at 1:00pmCT at Stotts-Phelps-McQueary Funeral Home in Columbia, KY with Bro. Rickie Williams officiating
Burial: McClister Cemetery (established by her grandmother, Hallie McClister) in Fairplay, KY
Visitation: After 10:00amCT on Saturday
Pallbearers: David Prewitt, Bryan Bailey, Jason Gadberry, Floyd Coomer, Jr., Pat Elmore, and Chris Gilbert
Honorary Pallbearers: Danny Bailey and Ricky Prewitt
In lieu of flowers, the family requests expressions of sympathy be memory donations to the McClister Cemetery. Donations may be taken to the Bank of Columbia or mailed to 144 Public Square, Columbia, KY 42728 with the check made payable to the McClister Cemetery Fund.
Stotts-Phelps-McQueary funeral home in charge of arrangements.
