Ethel “Mae” McClister-Gadberry Curry, 87, of Columbia passed away at Cumberland County Hospital on Saturday, March 1, 2025. She was born on March 7, 1937, to the late Joseph and Nona McClister of Fairplay and had two sisters, Citie Irene and Opal Amerine. Mae was married to the late Orville “Dutch” Gadberry of Fairplay on February 27, 1953. Together they had five children.
Proceeding her in death are her parents and sisters, husband, her sons, Ricky Daryl Gadberry and Stephen Lynn Gadberry, and one son-in-law James Clinton Mings. Left to cherish her memory are her daughters and sons-in-law: Judy Mings of Brooks, Donna Bailey (Danny) of Columbia, Pamela Prewitt (Ricky) of Burkesville, and two daughters-in-law, Josephine Gadberry of Columbia, and Deborah Bryant of Milltown; six grandchildren: Jamie Elmore (Pat), Jason Gadberry (Melissa), Bryan Bailey (Katie), Samantha Bryant (Chris), Amanda Prewitt, David Prewitt (Madison); 13 great grandchildren; and a host of family and friends.
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.
She will be remembered by all who knew and loved her as a strong Christian lady who could do anything she set her mind to doing. Some of her fondest times were those spent with her family and friends and the holidays when she would have everything “just right” for a special time together full of love and laughter that everyone would remember.
Mae will be deeply missed by all who had the joy of knowing and loving her. While she may no longer be on this earth, she will never be forgotten and will live on in the lessons she taught so many, and the happy memories made.
The family would like to thank the medical team and staff at Cumberland County Hospital for their kind care for Mae and her family in her last days.
Visitation for Mae will be on Saturday, March 8, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. with Funeral Services at 1 p.m. Central Time at Stotts-Phelps-McQueary funeral home in Columbia. Mae will be laid to rest in the McClister Cemetery established by her grandmother, Hallie McClister, in Fairplay.
Bro. Rickie Williams will be officiating, and pallbearers will be David Prewitt, Bryan bailey, Jason Gadberry, Floyd Coomer, Jr., Pat Elmore, and Chris Gilbert. Honorary pallbearers will be Danny Bailey and Ricky Prewitt.
In lieu of flowers as expressions of sympathy, the family requests memory donations to the McClister Cemetery. Donations may be taken to the Bank of Columbia or check made payable to McClister Cemetery Fund mailed to 144 Public Square, Columbia, KY 42728.
