Gwendolyn Iris McGarrity, daughter of the late Francis Boone and Beulah Hughes Boone was born on July 24, 1922, in Portageville, Missouri and departed this life on September 3, 2023, at the Cypress Point Skilled Nursing Center in Dexter, Missouri at the age of 101.

Gwendolyn had managed Ben Franklin stores in Missouri and Arkansas. In 1949 her and her husband, Leon started Dexter Queen. They owned and operated Dexter Queen together for thirty-two years. She started the first al-anon meetings in Dexter and ran those meetings for thirty-three years.

On November 7, 1943, she was united in marriage to Leon McGarrity in Blytheville, Arkansas. Mr. McGarrity preceded her in death on August 30, 2011.

She is survived by her granddaughter, Theresa Wilson and husband Curtis of Dexter, Missouri; and by two great-grandchildren, Tyler Wilson and wife Logan, and Makenna Wilson.

Other than by her husband and parents she was preceded in death by her daughter, Delores Gibson; by two brothers, Peck Boone, and Bob Boone; and by her sister, Phyllis Walton.

A grave-side service will be conducted on Wednesday, September 6, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. at the Dexter cemetery with Mike Watkins officiating.

Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is assisting the family with arrangements.