Ramona McQueary dies at 93

Provided by Missouri State University

Ramona McQueary

The matriarch of the McQueary family of businesspeople has died.

Ramona McQueary, 93, died June 29, according to a news release from her family. Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home is handling graveside and memorial services, which are slated to be scheduled for a later date.

McQueary and husband Fred, who died in 2013, are known for donations to Missouri State University, including funding for the McQueary Family Health Sciences Hall and the McQueary College for Health and Human Services. They also helped fund Meyer Library, Strong Hall, Glass Hall and the Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts, according to past reporting.

Ramona McQueary was the first female president of what is now the MSU Board of Governors, leading the governing board at time when enrollment hit a record of nearly 15,000 students, according to the release.

“Ramona McQueary was a giant in our community and at Missouri State," said Clif Smart, former MSU president, in the release. "She was our first female chair of the Board of Regents, has her family name on a college and led in fundraising work for the foundation. She will be missed tremendously."

McQueary is survived by sons Dr. Fred McQueary, Mark McQueary and David McQueary, as well as eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren, according to her obituary.