Orah Mockbee

(From Memorial Funeral Home)

Orah May Breedlove Mockbee, age 81, passed away peacefully at Columbia Manor in Columbia, Missouri on July 15, 2025. 

Orah May was born to George Oliver Breedlove and Audery Winters Breedlove on March 21, 1944 in Flint, Michigan. Audrey Breedlove was visiting her sister Orah while her husband, George Breedlove, was stationed in Germany during World War II resulting in Orah May being born in Michigan rather than her long-time home of Missouri. Orah May’s grandparents were Estelle and Manley David Winters of El Dorado Springs, Missouri, and Ruth and Clarence Breedlove of Seymour, Missouri.

Orah May married Jerry Gilbert Mockbee on August 6, 1972. They were blessed with nearly 45 happy years before he passed away on June 1, 2017. Jerry was truly a good person, a special friend and outstanding husband, and a loving, devoted father to her three children who thankfully survive their mother. They are Elaine Corum (Joe) Strawn of Columbia, Missouri, Robert (Christine) Corum of Lincoln, Nebraska, and Kalea Corum (Timm) Benner of Morgantown, Indiana. Six grandchildren also survive, Hannah Strawn (Drew) Greaves of Kansas City, Gracie Strawn of Sherman Oaks, California, Drew (Ashley) Benner of Fulton, Missouri, Zach (Sydney) Benner of St. Charles, Seth Benner of Morgantown, Indiana and Rowdy Benner of Morgantown, Indiana. Orah May also has a wonderful great-grandson, Everett Whelan, of Fulton, Missouri.

Orah May is also survived by her loving sisters, Mickey Breedlove (Gary) Marshall of Neosho, Missouri and Ruth Breedlove Hertzberg of Foley, Alabama. Orah May has three stepsisters and their families, all living in Georgia, along with two nieces - Angie Hertzberg (Mitch) Martin of Washington, Louisiana and April Hertzberg Mathis of Leesville, Louisiana, as well as five great-nephews and their families. Preceding her in death are her brother, Oliver Dean Breedlove, and beloved niece, Leasa Annette Marshall.

Orah May retired after working for the University of Missouri for 36 years with 31 of those spent with Behavioral Sciences in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the School of Medicine. Orah May was known for her sharp wit, warm heart, and the uncanny ability to make strangers feel like lifelong friends. She loved genealogy, cross-stitch, puzzles, and her family.

Our family invites you to celebrate her life by telling your favorite story about her, eating something decadent, and singing loudly at inappropriate times. In lieu of flowers, please send handwritten notes to your loved ones or help a stranger — that’s what she would have done. Or, you are welcome to donate to the Missouri State Historical Society in her memory.

Her laughter, love, and life lessons will echo on, mostly in the form of inside jokes and family folklore that will confuse future generations. We wouldn’t have it any other way.

Visitation will be 9-10am, Saturday, July 19th at Memorial Funeral Home 1217 Business Loop 70 West Columbia, MO. Funeral service will begin at 10am followed by burial in Memorial Park Cemetery.

Condolences and fond memories may be shared at www.memorialfuneralhomeandcemetery.com