Marguerite Wallace McClure

Marguerite Kathleen “Baby” Wallace McClure (July 18, 1920) died peacefully in her home, San Salvador, on May 10, 2022. She was preceded in death by her mother, Margaret Compton Wallace, father, William “Guy” Wallace, sister, Laurine Wallace Vail, brothers, William Guy Wallace, Jr., Francis Compton Wallace, husband, Dr. Christopher Columbus McClure, Jr., daughter, Marguerite Wallace McClure Averett, and granddaughter, Maria Compton Averett. She is survived by three of her children, Chrissie Wallace McClure, Dr. Christopher Columbus McClure III (Rossana) and Guy Wallace McClure (Jeanah). She is further survived by her son-in-law, Major John Abbot Averett, grandchildren, John Averett, Jr., Marguerite Averett, Heather Webb (Alan), Clara McClure, Guy McClure, Christopher IV, Rossana Myers (Dean), Adriana, and Jorma McClure. She has three great-grandchildren.

“Mama Rabbit,” as she was known to her family and close friends was both a witness to and participant in history. Born and raised in Nashville at the dawn of the Roaring Twenties, life was a constant adventure. Memories of the Depression, lessons learned along life’s path, she lived her life dedicated to learning and teaching others, sharing her love for people and inspiring all who knew her to take life head on, with faith in God and the Blessed Mother. Her powerful faith and closeness to God inspired all who knew her. Kindness and love were her rules for life. In her youth, it was not uncommon for her to be seen riding her pony, Hot Papa, with her pet monkey, Jocko, on her back on Hillsboro Road or raising her runt pig, Dilsey.

Marguerite’s love of travel and history would take her to many foreign lands, including a journey with her sister, Laurine, in 1936 to Oberammergau, home of the famous “Passion Play.” She would continue to travel, including visits to Spain, Gibraltar, Morocco, England, Scotland, France and Mexico. The most harrowing of her travels was to Alaska after the earthquake of 1964, with all six family members in one car.

A graduate of Ward Belmont and later Vanderbilt University with a degree in history and political science, she was elected by her peers “Miss Vanderbilt” for the class of 1941 and named President of the Honor Council. A home front volunteer during World War II, Marguerite drove the bloodmobile for the Red Cross.

Her life was devoted to volunteering and helping others. She was a member of the Campbell Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Ladies Hermitage Society, The Book Club, Garden Club and president of the Florence Crittenton Home for expectant mothers. She was a member of the Cathedral of the Incarnation and an avid supporter of Church projects. A benefactor of the arts, she and her husband supported the Nashville Ballet Society. An avid sportswoman, Marguerite was a member of Belle Meade Country Club, a champion on the golf course, once sharing the links with the famous Babe Didrikson Zaharias.

Marguerite married Chris, in 1948 and accompanied him to the Cleveland Clinic, where he was Chief Resident of Neurosurgery.

Descended from the Hardeman Family, a First Family of Tennessee, one of whom scouted ahead of the Donelson Party, she was also a descendant of the Polk Family.

Her husband died at the age of 54, challenging the young mother to raise her four young children on her own. As with everything in Marguerite’s life, she immersed herself wholeheartedly in the challenge and instilled in her children her strength and determination.

Mama Rabbit’s door was always open. “Come to see me,” she would say, always with warm hospitality and unconditional love. For Marguerite, the “glass [was] always half full,” no matter what challenge would present. Her greatest legacy was the love she gave, a unique, personal and beautiful friendship with each individual that crossed her path. We thank God for her beautiful life.

The Family wishes to thank special friends, Bolin Stumb, Tera Giese, Marguerite’s nephew, John Wallace and her physicians, David Heusinkveld, Jeff Webber, and Chris Jones, and the many dear friends and caregivers who provided such love and kindness to Marguerite over the last several years: William Robinson, his sisters Mary and Annie, Dorothy Howse, Tracy Carter, Sandra McKain, Valerie Armstrong, Brandy Williams, and Regina Wilson.

A funeral Mass for Marguerite will take place at the Cathedral of The Incarnation in Nashville on Monday, June 27th at 2pm. The family will receive visitors at her daughter’s home following the Mass.

Pallbearers will be her nieces and nephews.

The family requests in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Arts and Science Scholarship at Gifts and Donor Services

Vanderbilt University

PMB 407727

2301 Vanderbilt Place

Nashville TN, 37240

-or-

St. Henry’s Ministry to the Homebound

6401 Harding Pike

Nashville, TN 37205

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.marshalldonnellycombs.com for the McClure family.