Marcia Anne (Allen) Wofford, 78, of Springfield, MO, entered the presence of Jesus on September 2, 2021, surrounded by family in her home. A private family memorial service will take place at a later date in Springfield.

Marcia was born in Fort Smith, Arkansas, on February 14, 1943, to Dexter and Velma Allen. She was the oldest of three children and dearly loved her brothers, Carl and Paul. She met her high school sweetheart and the love of her life, Larry Taylor Wofford, at Fort Smith High School and joyfully married him on June 16, 1961, in Bellflower, CA.

Marcia studied at the University of California at Long Beach, University of Arkansas and  Missouri State University to obtain her degree in Secondary English Education. After moving to Springfield, Marcia and Larry had two children, Mark and Joy. In 1985, Marcia and Larry answered the Lord's call to become missionaries on the Crow Creek Indian Reservation in South Dakota, where they served together in a pastoring role for 22 years. Although Marcia taught English classes passionately for nearly 40 years at the junior high, high school and college levels, she revered her 22 years of teaching and pouring into the lives of her students at Crow Creek High School, her greatest joy as an educator. In her heart, until the hour she went home to Jesus, the Crow Creek Reservation was her home and the Native Hunkpati Dakota Sioux people her family.

Marcia loved her Savior Jesus above all else, living each day to praise Him and spend time with Him in prayer and studying God's Word. She was a dedicated prayer warrior who radiated His love throughout her life. She prayed passionately for the persecuted church while encouraging and sharing the love of Jesus with everyone she came into contact with. She was a wonderful wife, mom, Nana, caregiver and friend.

Marcia will be deeply missed by her husband of 60 years, Larry, of Springfield; son, Mark, and daughter-in-love, Tracy, of Kansas City, MO; daughter, Joy, and son-in-love, Chris, of Muscatine, IA; and grandsons, Joshua, Kaleb, Carson and Jayden who were the delights of her heart. She will also be greatly missed by her "special spiritual sons" Evan Davis, Ken Muncey and Hunter Walker.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Paul; and baby grandson, Kyle Allen Patrick Wofford.

Marcia's family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to Phoenix Hospice for the loving care and support they provided. Her nurse, Dianna, became a close friend whom she loved deeply. She considered her aide, Allie, a gift.

Memorials in Marcia's memory may be directed to the family to establish a college scholarship fund for Native students at Crow Creek High School.