Samra Lynn (Clark) Magruder was born on September 2, 1956 in Marshalltown, Iowa to Samuel George Clark and Beverly Joan (Strayer) Clark. She graduated from Ames High School in 1974, and graduated from Graceland College (University) in 1978 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing. While at Graceland she spent one summer as an Historical Interpreter at Nauvoo, Illinois, an historic church site. She was a member of SOLAH House. She began working at Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri and worked there for 27 years. Samra was a member of the local Independence Orchestra (aka The Heritage Philharmonic Orchestra) for 38 years. She often played her flute in duets, trios and quartets at church services and community events. She was a lifelong member of the Community of Christ Church (RLDS), attending several congregations over the years. For a number of years she performed as a member of the Independence Messiah Choir, which she always counted as one of her annual highlights.
Samra met Gary Magruder at a Halloween Orchestra concert in 1993, where she was dressed as a pumpkin. Samra always said that Gary had written her a very sweet pumpkin letter. They married on September 17th, 1994 and were married until her death. During their marriage they enjoyed traveling, beginning with a honeymoon cruise to the Bahamas. They visited Europe multiple times over the years (including trips visiting France, Germany, Austria, Spain, and several trips to Italy, including joining her Canadian cousins for a 1 week stay in the Italian countryside). They also joined friends on an 8-day Mediterranean cruise (visiting Barcelona, Toulons, Orvieto, Athens, Istanbul and Venice). Her father was raised in Vancouver, British Columbia, so Samra and Gary made numerous trips there to visit her very dear Canadian cousins Margie and Beth and their families.
Samra enjoyed many pursuits and hobbies. She loved baking, gardening, quilting, crocheting, playing games, being with family, watching Chiefs Football, and she loved playing the flute. After her retirement from Children’s Mercy, she pursued playing in the bell choir at church, volunteering at Community Services League in Independence, Missouri, and joined a quilting group.
Samra was a survivor of many medical issues over the years, and she always had resilience and determination to get well. Even through this last illness she was determined to live as well as she could until her physical body finally said enough. Samra was a great friend to many, was always generous with her time and abilities, and loved her family deeply.
Samra left this world on Sunday evening, March 5th, 2023, surrounded by loved ones. She was preceded in death by her parents, Sam and Joan Clark, and all of her grandparents. She is survived by her husband Gary Magruder, of Independence, MO; her sister Barbara (Bobbi) Ellis (Ron) of Stanton, IA; brother David Clark (Shawna) of Red Oak, IA; Uncle Paul Strayer of Urbandale, IA; niece Sarah Nielson of Burlington Junction, MO; nephew Macey Ellis (Jenny) of Stanton, IA; niece Lauren Bunting (Justin) of Warrensburg, MO; nephew Chris Clark (Vivian), of Lamoni IA; several great nieces and nephews, cousins and friends.
A private viewing for family was held at Speaks Suburban Chapel and a Memorial Service is being held on April 1, 2023 at the Blue Ridge Community of Christ Church, 3371 Blue Ridge Blvd, Independence, MO 64052. The service will be at 1:00 pm; there will be a social time afterwards with refreshments. Her quilts and other items will be available to view. Samra loved her friends, family and her church family and wanted to have her life celebrated, not mourned. She took an active role in planning her service and assigning tasks to be completed. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Community Services League, 404 N Noland Road, Independence, MO 64050
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