Erma G. Chowning was born May 17, 1948, in Howell County, Missouri to Nelson Lee and Eva (Butler) Saffell and died peacefully at her home in Birch Tree, Missouri on January 25, 2021, at the age of 72. She was united in marriage to Marshall Chowning on April 13, 1990, and through this union, she was blessed with two children, Steve Chowning and Kristy Reese.
Erma is preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Hazel Abbott and Esther Pollard; brother, Paul Davis; nephews; Ed Saffell, Mike, and Terry Abbott; and in-laws, Earl and Doreene Chowning.
She is survived by her husband, Marshall Chowning, of the home; daughter, Kristy Reese and husband, Travis, Birch Tree, MO; son, Steve Chowning and wife, Sara, Mountain View, MO; granddaughters, Kiah Reese, Birch Tree, MO and McKenna Chowning, West Plains, MO; grandsons, Gavin Reese, Birch Tree, MO and Micah Cunningham, Springfield, MO; brothers, Leonard Saffell, State of Kansas, and Harry Saffell and wife, Sylvia, State of Arizona; brother-in-law, Mike Chowning and wife, Janet and sister-in-law, Donna Whiteside and husband, Richard, all of Mountain View, MO; and several nieces, and nephews
Erma received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business from SMSU in Springfield, Missouri. She managed the Sears Catalog sales center in Mountain View for several years. She was later employed by Mountain View – Birch Tree School District as secretary for 20 years until her retirement in 2008.
Erma and Marshall were members of Mountain View Christian Church. Erma was also a member of Community Bible Study where her love for children was displayed as a beloved Preschool Children’s Assistant. She also enjoyed volunteering at the Good Samaritan Clinic.
She was an avid gardener and loved tending to her flowers. Erma loved animals, being outdoors, and just having fun. Her laughter was infectious. Those who were blessed to meet Erma were truly made better for knowing her. She was kind, sweet, compassionate, and caring. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.
Graveside services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, January 29, 2021, at Montier Cemetery, Montier, Missouri under the direction of Yarber Mortuary, Mountain View. Prior to the service, a time of visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m.-12 Noon at the funeral home for those wishing to pay their respects. Memorial contributions may be made to the Good Samaritan Clinic in memory of Erma. Condolences may be expressed at www.yarbermortuary.com.
