Marilee (Ragsdale )McAnespie, age 76, of Land O Lakes FL, passed away at Zephyrhills Gulfside Hospice, Wednesday evening, October 30, 2019. She was born on September 3, 1943 to Paul and Evadean (Ewan) Ragsdale, in Eldorado, Saline County, IL.

Marilee attended elementary and high schools in Mounds and Olney, IL. She attended Asbury University for two years and was graduated from Southern Illinois University, June 1967, with a B.S. in Education and taught schools in Ballast Point, Kingswood and Boyette Springs in Hillsborough County, FL until her retirement after 30 years.

Marilee was a past member of the Buckhorn Springs Golf and Country Club, longtime member of the Bible Study Fellowship and life-long member of the United Methodist Church. For the past fifty years, she was a member of the First United Methodist Church (now New Hope) in Brandon FL. She served on numerous leadership and ministry teams to express her commitment to her Lord and Savior.

Marilee enjoyed numerous activities, but she is most known for her enjoyment of her family and long-lived friendships. Once she became your friend, she nurtured and valued you for life. No matter the miles and number of years apart you remain deep friends forever. She categorized her friends with descriptive names: TEACHER FRIENDS, OLD FAMILY FRIENDS, CLASSMATES FRIENDS, GOLF FRIENDS, NEIGHBORS IN BRANDON FRIENDS, CHURCH FRIENDS, BEACH FRIENDS, CARD-PLAYING FRIENDS, BIBLE STUDY FRIENDS, ASBURY FRIENDS, CHI DELT SISTER FRIENDS, TRAVEL FRIENDS, ELEMENTARY AND HIGH SCHOOL FRIENDS, AND THEN FAMILY WHO WERE FRIENDS.

She was preceded in death by her Godly parents. She is survived by a family who loved her deeply and will miss her fun and crazy remarks! Her heart-broken family includes her husband, Bob McAnespie of Tampa of 38 years; former husband, Charles Cleveland of Largo, two children, John Paul Cleveland of New York and Heather Amanda Krueger of Tampa; two step-children, Terry McAnespie (Stefanie) of Tampa and Ann McAnespie of Ohio; sister, Paula Hintzman (Morris) of Land O Lakes FL; nephew, Tommy Hintzman (Stephanie) of Leesburg and niece, Sheryl (Elizabeth) of Holiday; four grand-children, Chase and Skylar Krueger and Shawn (Chrissy) and Shane (Kate) McAnespie and Josh (Lolita) Oldham and Chase Oldham; three great-grandchildren, Mila and Ellie McAnespie and Laila Oldham.

A memorial service held at New Hope United Methodist Church in Brandon FL. A burial  held privately for the family at a later date.

Trinity Memorial Gardens, Trinity FL