Elinor Francis Cleghorn (Ward-White) was born in Robbersonville, North Carolina on October 23, 1945 to Elizabeth (Wells) Ward and Vernon A. Ward. She and her brother Joseph Wells Ward grew up on the sunny beaches along the Pamlico River until moving to upstate New York. Elinor graduated from Southold high school in Southold, New York in 1964 and was the editor in chief of the senior yearbook, entitled “The Snuffbox”. She later graduated from the Buffalo State University in Buffalo, New York in 1968 as an art and education major.
She was a gifted artist and illustrator and loved horses and goats. Elinor was an accomplished writer and instructor. She also taught High School Art in New York for several years.
In July of 1999 Elinor and Dale R. Cleghorn were united in marriage at the farm in Osawatomie, Kansas.
Elinor’s faith and spiritual beliefs were strong.
She was preceded in death by her parents and son, Noah Jabez Cleghorn.
Elinor is survived by her husband Dale; her children Melody Dawn and Allen Melton, Dorothy Pappas, Donald and Sarah Cleghorn, Laurie and Bobby Ming; ten grandchildren; four great grandchildren; and her brother, Joe Ward.
Graveside services for Elinor will be Wednesday, March 20, 2024 at 4:00 P.M. in the Cleghorn Beulah Land Cemetery, Drury, MO. Officiating will be William J. Osborn.
