Trenton – Margaret Constance McCleery Varn, 97, went home to be with the Lord on June 2, 2015. She was born to Richard and Edith McCleery in Brookville, FL on April 9, 1918. She graduated valedictorian of her Hernando High School class in 1936. She attended Florida State College for Women and Tampa Business College. She married James Tuten Varn of Brooksville in 1939. They owned and operated a small grocery store for 20 years before they retired. Margaret moved to Trenton, FL in 1997 where she resided for 18 years. She was of the Baptist faith and was a faithful member of Pine Grove Baptist Church.
Margaret was preceded in death by her husband of 58 year, James Tuten (Toot) Varn, her father Richard Ernest McCleery, her mother Edith Peterson McCleery, her sister Louise McCleery McMullen, a son-in-law Clark Patton (Pat) Gillespie, and a grandson Mikell Anthony Varn. She is survived by her brother Richard Ernest McCleery, Jr. (Wanda) of Brookville, FL her four daughters, Marie Varn Gillespie of Camden, DE, Elsie Varn Harrell (Ronnie) of Lipan, TX, Edith Varn Merritt (Steve) of Kennesaw, GA, Janie Varn Owens (Terry) of Trenton, FL, her son James Tuten (J.T.) Varn of Gainesville, FL, 12 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, and one great, great-grandchild.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, June 6, 2015 at Pine Grove Baptist Church in Trenton, FL from 10:00 – 10:30 with funeral services following at 10:30 at the church. A graveside service will be held at Brooksville City Cemetery on Saturday, June 6, 2015 at 3:00 all are welcome to attend.