Della Mae Ware passed away December 16, 2023, surrounded by her family.

She was born December 17, 1955, in Diehlstadt, MO, to the late Frank Ware Sr. and Elnora Cobb Ware.  Della was a lifelong resident of Charleston where she attended Charleston Schools.  Known throughout Charleston for her love of dancing, cooking and most certainly dressing the part. Her famous catch phrase she could often be heard saying was "Too sweet, can't be beat, no way, no day." Enjoying herself dancing with her nieces Wanda and Ree kept her young.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two sons, David Ware and Jeffery Ware; five brothers, Gene, TC and Taylor Williams and Frank Ware, Jr., and Lester Carter, and three sisters, Hattie Mae Nelson, Billie Cain and Beatrice Ware.

She leaves to cherish her memory two children, Kristin Ware of Charleston and Richard Ware of Sikeston; four brothers, Bobby, Randy and Palitin all of Charleston and James Ware of Mt. Vernon, IL; two sisters, Lela Ware of Charleston and Leigh Paige Applewhite of Sikeston; longtime special friend, Willie James Anderson of East Prairie; 14 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

The funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, December 23, 2023, at the United Methodist Church, 1700 East Marshall Street in Charleston.

Interment will follow in the Oak Grove Cemetery under the direction of the McMikle Funeral Home of Charleston.

Online condolences may be shared at www.mcmiklefuneralhome.com.