Stella Margaret (Strahan) McMahon

On September 26, 1936, Stella Margaret (Strahan) McMahon was born in Mincy, Missouri to the union of the late John and Willie (Houston) Strahan. Stella grew up in Mincy and one of the family’s favorite stories of Stella was when she was about five years of age, Stella crawled under the porch of their family home with a pair of scissors and cut her hair. You can imagine the look of surprise when her mother found her! Stella began attending school after her hair cutting episode and spent all her school years in Mincy. Stella met a young Navy sailor by the name of Charles Walter McMahon, Jr. and they were united in marriage on September 12, 1951, in Harrison, Arkansas. She spent the next several years living the military life and moving with Charles to his different duty stations. In 1967, Stella and the family moved to Richland, Missouri where they decided to remain after Charles’ retirement from the military. Stella and Charles were blessed with four children: Debbie, Don, Ron, and Rick. They were her pride and joy, and she took great pride in helping to provide for and caring for them. During her time as a military wife, Stella worked for a time at a nursery school in the State of Washington where they were stationed for a couple of years. After moving to the Richland area, she began working for H.D. Lee, but the majority of her working years were spent managing apartments and being a homemaker. In her spare time, Stella enjoyed shopping, traveling with her sisters, visiting with family and friends (her “inquisitive” nature got her into trouble from time to time), and Stella especially spending time with her grandchildren. Early in her life, Stella made a very important decision and accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Savior. That decision helped her through some of the toughest times in her life…. the passing of her son: Ron, her husband: Charles, and her parents and siblings. She was a faithful member of the First Baptist Church of Richland where she taught 4 & 5 year-old for many years, a member of WMU, and a group of prayer warriors. She lived out her faith and enjoyed serving wherever she was needed. Stella went home to be with her Lord Friday, July 19, 2024, in the Richland Care Center of Richland, Missouri having attained the age of 87 years of age. She will be sadly missed, but fondly remembered by all those that knew and loved her. She leaves to cherish her memory, her three children: Debbie Carnes (Tom), and Don McMahon (Dana) all of Richland, MO, and Rick McMahon of Lebanon, MO; one daughter-in-law, Donna Howlett (Danny) of Richland, MO; 6 grandchildren: W.T. Carnes (Tori), Kenny Carnes, Scott McMahon (Kendall) of Richland, MO, Lindsey Frank (Geremy) Swedeborg, Mo, Ryan Wilson (Hope) of Falcon, MO, and David Minor (Jessica) of Lebanon, MO; 11 great grandchildren: Adam, Sara, Ken, Hannah, Keith, Kinley, Edynn, Hunter, Mady, Cameryn, and Chole; 2 great-great-grandchildren: Clayden and Maylee; brother-in-law: Jimmy Forbes of Des Moines, IA; several nieces, nephews, and a host of other relatives and friends. Stella is preceded in death by her parents, John Henry Strahan and Willie Houston Strahan, siblings: John Strahan Jr., Lennie Lee “Ginger” O’Brian, James Phillip “Red” Strahan, Lou Vee Strahan Rogers and Barbara Forbes; her beloved husband, Charles Walter McMahon, Jr. (2014), one son, Ronald Dale “Ronnie” McMahon (2009), and one daughter-in-law, Janet Elaine (Wilson) McMahon (2010). Even though she is gone from our sight, Stella’s commitment to her faith and her family will live on in our hearts forever. Services were held at 6:30 p.m., Monday, July 22, 2024, in the Memorial Chapel of Richland with Pastor Mike Hawkins officiating. The songs, “I Can Only Imagine” and “Amazing Grace” were played. Serving as pallbearers were W.T. Carnes, Adam Carnes, Ken Carnes, Scott McMahon, Ryan Wilson, and Geremy Frank. Honorary pallbearers included Rich Homan and Ken Struckhoff. A graveside service began at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, July 23, 2024 in the Mt. View Cemetery near Richland, MO. Services were under the care and direction of Memorial Chapel of Richland. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Mount View Cemetery in memory of Stella McMahon and can be left at the funeral home.

Stella Margaret (Strahan) McMahon

September 26, 1936 - July 19, 2024