Hope Elaine Loughary

Hope Elaine Mary Loughary, was born on April 23, 1999, to Matthew and Melissa Loughary in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, and quietly departed this life on November 28, 2025, at her home in Marble Hill, Missouri, at the age of 26.

From the very beginning, Hope lived up to her name. Though born with disabilities, she spent her life proving doctors wrong and showing everyone around her what determination truly looks like. Born with club feet, she braved multiple surgeries at a young age, and her parents and grandparents made more than a few trips to St. Louis to replace casts she stubbornly kicked off. Even as a toddler, when she was expected not to walk for some time, Hope stood up, walked, and did her best to run, cast or no casts. Her spirit simply refused to be limited.

Hope proudly graduated from Leopold High School in 2018 as a beloved Leopold Wildcat. Many of her happiest memories were made within those school walls with friends and faculty that she held close to her heart. She was known for her big heart, her ability to find joy in the simplest things, and her knack for making the people around her feel special.

Hope filled her life with the things she loved, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, purses, baby dolls, stuffed animals, and, above all, her treasured Forrester Cousin Squad. Her quick wit often surprised anyone within earshot; she could deliver a comeback faster than her uncles could blink, and she happily handed out unique nicknames to many in her family. Her creative side was just as bright. She loved crafts, coloring, and painting, and many family members proudly display her artwork on their refrigerators, small pieces of Hope’s joy left behind to be cherished.

Hope is survived by her mother, Melissa, and her grandparents, Al and Sharon Forrester, with whom she resided. She is also survived by her brother, Cole, and his fiancée Mia of Crystal City, MO. Additional loved ones include Aunt Sheryl (Ted) Eftink; Uncle Chuck (BJ) Forrester; Uncle Kevin (Jeanne) Forrester, all of Marble Hill, MO; Uncle Keith (Clint) Forrester of Edgewater, FL; Aunt Kristin Nenninger (her Godmother) of Sikeston, MO; and Uncle Adam Nenninger of Marble Hill, MO, Aunt Karen Wells, Marble Hill, MO, Aunt Terrisa (Davey)Collins, Advance, MO, Uncle Ed (Nora) Loughary affectionately called Uncle Junkie, Festus, MO, and Uncle Joe Loughary. Her beloved Forrester Cousin Squad includes Andrew (Beth) Eftink (her Godfather) of Marble Hill, MO; Catherine (John) Feuerborn of Olathe, KS; Madison Eftink of Cincinnati, OH; Nate and Cameron Forrester; Dalton and Gwendolyn Forrester of Marble Hill, MO; Nathan Nenninger of Leopold, MO; Summer (Jaden) Stoffregen of Scott City, MO; and Maci Nenninger and her fiancé, Michael, of Sikeston, MO. She is also survived by many Loughary cousins: Jamie (Robert) Brotherton; Josh Wells, Jenna, Josie, and Jacob Vick, and Jasmine & Jolee Loughary and by second cousins she adored and asked about often—Tatum Klaire Stoffregen of Scott City, MO, and MJ and James Feuerborn of Olathe, KS

She was preceded in death by her father, Matt; her grandmother, Nancy Loughary; her grandfather, Herb Loughary, an infant sister Faith; and her Uncle Aaron Forrester.

Those honored to serve as pallbearers are Cole Loughary, Andrew Eftink, Nate Forrester, Cameron Forrester, Dalton Forrester, Nathan Nenninger, Chuck Forrester, and Kevin Forrester. Honorary pallbearers are Keith Forrester, Ted Eftink, and Adam Nenninger.

Visitation will be held at Hutchings-Pendergrass Funeral Chapel on Friday, December 5th, 2025, from 5:00pm to 8:00pm with Rosary beginning at 7:00pm. Funeral Mass will begin at 10:00am on Saturday, December 6th, 2025, at St. John Catholic Church in Leopold. MO, with Father Vincent Rathappillil, VC. Officiating. Burial will follow at Baker Cemetery in Marble Hill, MO. 

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Hutchings-Pendergrass Funeral Chapel to help cover funeral expenses.