Grace Anthem Mainprize was born in Thayer, Missouri, the daughter of Ernest A. Sauser and Pearl Dunsmore Sauser, on May 13, 1931. She departed this life on August 25, 2018, at Ozarks Medical Center in West Plains, Missouri, at the age of 87 years.
She was united in marriage on September 10, 1950, in Thayer, Missouri, to Coy Mainprize.
Grace is survived by her six children, Pamela Baker and husband, Van, of Thayer, Missouri, Denise Sherman and husband, Neil, of Independence,
Missouri, Anita Harper and husband, Jerry, of Thayer, Missouri, Connie Daniel and husband, Michael, of Marshfield, Missouri, Keith Mainprize and wife, Rona, of Springfield, Missouri, and Howard Mainprize of Thayer, Missouri; two sisters, Evelyn Fugitt of Sallisaw, Oklahoma and Pearl Minton of Bono, Arkansas; one brother, Walter Sauser and wife, Jackie, of Bono, Arkansas; 13 grandchildren, Jason Baker and wife, Holly, Tracy Miller, Laura Jaynes and husband, Graham, Leslie Sherman, Jeremy Harper and wife, Terrah, Bradley Harper and wife, Jessica, Brittany McCarthy and husband, Jason, Dacia Wade and husband, Kory, Derek Daniel, Dakota Mainprize, Cory Phillips and wife, McKenzie, Devin Phillips and wife, Zoe, and Ethan Mainprize; 13 great grandchildren; nieces, nephews and many other relatives.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Coy Mainprize; and her parents, Ernest and Pearl Sauser.
Grace was a Christian and a member of the Thayer Church of Christ. She made many friends while working as a librarian for the Thayer Public Library, serving a total of 44 years.
She was a dedicated homemaker and was deeply devoted to her family. She will be remembered for her many talents, which included gardening and sewing. She made beautiful garments for her family as well as sewing for others. She was an excellent cook and enjoyed preparing delicious meals for family get-togethers. She loved spending time with her children and was known for taking time out of her busy day to take them to the creek to swim and cool off.
Grace will truly be missed by her family, her many friends and the community in which she lived.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, August 29, 2018 at 2:00 PM at the Carter Funeral Home Chapel in Thayer, Missouri with Erman Croney officiating.
Visitation will be Wednesday, August 29, 2018 from 1:00 PM until service time at the Carter Funeral Home.
Interment will be in Rose Hill Cemetery with services under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Inc. in Thayer.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her name to the Rose Hill Cemetery Fund.