Mary Lou (Moores) McClanahan, age 76, loving mother of Ralph Edward McClanahan III, passed away at her home the week of February 18th, 2025. Mary Lou was the youngest sibling of the late Charles "Choctaw" (Estill County Treasurer) and Ada Mae Moores (devoted mother), also of Estill County.

Mary Lou was born on March 21st, 1948, at her parent's home in Estill County, Kentucky, where she lived most of her life. She attended Estill County High School and later graduated from Eastern Kentucky University. She pursued a career in education and taught in the Bell & Estill County School Systems for many years. She was an avid reader, loved the bible, and enjoyed having bible verses around her home and listening to Neil Diamond. Additionally, she treasured her Sunday talks and gatherings with her best friends, Dreama & Floyd Workman of Ravenna, Ky and her other close neighborhood friends.

In her earlier years, she was married to Ralph "Ted" Edward McClanahan II. They shared one child, Ralph "Mac" Edward McClanahan III, whom they welcomed into the world in 1974. Mac quickly became Mary Lou's greatest blessing in her life. Regardless of life's highs and lows, Mac remained her greatest love until the day she passed.

In addition to her beloved parents, she was preceded in death by her sister, Betty Jane Whittington, and brothers, Buddy, Jimmy, and Billy Moores.

Survivors include her son, Ralph "Mac" Edward McClanahan III, and wife, Kelly McClanahan; her loving sister and brother, Pat Cox (Danny Cox) and Paul Jack Moores (Eloene Moores); and several nieces and nephews, all of whom she adored.

Visitation services will be conducted on Saturday, March 8th, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. EST, followed by a service at 1:00 p.m. EST at Lewis Home for Funerals, Irvine, Ky. Brett Benton will officiate the service, with a small tribute from Mac McClanahan to follow.

Lewis Home for Funerals is honored to serve the family of Mary Lou (Moores) McClanahan.

"May the wind under your wings bear you where the sun sails and the moon walks."

In Lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to the Estill County Animal Shelter in Mary Lou (Moores) McClanahan's name.