Obituaries

Martha Jean Stafford, 94, born in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, passed away on August 1, 2020. Graveside services will be conducted at Dexter Cemetery on Saturday, August 8, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is in charge of all arrangements...

Dorothy Lee Compton of Dexter, daughter of late Hubert William Hudgens and Ruby Emma Sadler Compton, was born in Dexter on Oct. 11, 1932, and passed away at the Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, on July 29, 2020, at the age of 87 years...

Jerry Don Lemar was born on March 25, 1937 in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, and departed this life on July 30, 2020, at the Bloomfield Living Center, at the age of 83. Born to Harold and Dorothy Lemar, Jerry had three siblings: Harold Dean (deceased), Sue Mayo (Jim) of Bloomfield and Kay Dobbins (Jerry) of Santa Clarita, California. Jerry spent his formative years in Marble Hill and Lutesville until his family moved to Bloomfield...

Garry Dean Dorris son of the late Noah S. Dorris and Wilma Jean Whitehead Dorris, was born in Bernie, on August 27, 1946 and departed this life at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau, on July 22, 2020 at the age of 73. Mr. Dorris was a farmer, a 50 year member of Bernie Masonic Lodge, and was of Baptist Faith having attended First Baptist Church of Bernie...

Elbert Cleve Gee, 62, of Birch Tree, Missouri departed this life for his heavenly home on Sunday, July 19, 2020. He was born on October 30, 1957 in St. Louis, the son of Theodore and Vida (Graves) Gee. Everybody loved Elbert. He had a pleasant disposition and enjoyed teasing his friends and family, especially his nieces and nephews...

Jerry Pennington Jr, son of Wilma Baker Pennington and the late Jerry Lee Pennington Sr., was born on November 15, 1964 in Advance and passed away, on July 19, 2020, at the age of 55 years. Jerry had lived in Puxico area all his life, he was self-employed most of his life and shared an auction business with his late father. His hobbies was  fishing, camping, gardening, grilling, singing karaoke, and spending time with family and friends...

Jeannette Terrill Robinson, daughter of the late Marvin Davis and Clara Snider Davis, was born on January 22, 1939 in St. Louis, Missouri, and departed this life on July 27, 2020 at her residence in Dexter, Missouri at the age of 81 years. Mrs. Robinson was a former cook for T. S. Hill Middle School in Dexter, for 20 years and she attended First Baptist Church in Dexter...

Patricia M Smith, daughter of the late Earl Cato and Nellie Estes Cato, was born on December 31, 1944 in Dexter and departed this life on July 25, 2020 at her residence in Bernie at the age of 75 years. Mrs. Smith was a member of Unity Full Gospel Church in Bernie and a homemaker...

Donna Mae Crow Gregg, 90, of Dexter, was cherished by her family and treasured by her husband, Morris. She was kind, caring, and selfless. Donna was a rare and endearing combination of quiet strength, unassuming beauty, and timeless grace. She walked daily with Jesus and did her best to show his love to everyone around her...

Elbert Cleve Gee, 62, of Birch Tree, Missouri departed this life for his heavenly home on Sunday, July 19, 2020. He was born on October 30, 1957 in St. Louis, the son of Theodore and Vida (Graves) Gee. Everybody loved Elbert. He had a pleasant disposition and enjoyed teasing his friends and family, especially his nieces and nephews...

Carolyn Jo Johnson, daughter of Eunice Sparks of Malden, and the late Joe Elwood Sparks, was born on June 12, 1952 in Jackson, and departed this life on July 12, 2020 at the Winchester Nursing Center in Bernie, at the age of 68. Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is assisting the family with all arrangements...

Crystal Boyster, daughter of Steve and Ella Sperino of Puxico, Missouri and Jackie Rushing Ford of Sparta, Illinois was born on September 30, 1980 in Belleville, Illinois and departed this life on July 16, 2020 at her residence in Puxico, at the age of 39...

Lawrence “Fred” Hicks, son of the late Joseph Edward Hicks and Edith Cowin Hicks, was born on June 15, 1953 in Granite City, Illinois, and departed this life on July 19, 2020 at Princeton Health and Rehab Center in Princeton, Kentucky, at the age of 67 years...

Muriel Dirden, daughter of the late Grover Mosley and Juanita L. Webster Mosley was born on June 13, 1942 in Blytheville, Arkansas, and departed this life on July 18, 2020 at the Landmark Hospital in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, at the age of 78. Visitation will be conducted at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Saturday, July 25, 2020 from 9:00 a.m. ...

Shelba Jean Lane Mofield, daughter of the late J. B. Lane and Ruble Snider Lane, was born on August 12, 1940, in Essex and departed this life on July 19, 2020 at Mulberry Manor in Dexter, at the age of 79 years. Visitation was at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Wednesday, July 22, 2020 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Funeral services were conducted in the Mathis Funeral Home Chapel at 1 p.m. with Rev. Jeff Roth officiating. Interment will follow in Dexter Cemetery...

Martha Henry was born Martha Louise Elizabeth Brown February 25, 1925, daughter of the late B. Rust and Louise Brown at a rural home near Bell City. Farmer, artist, calligrapher, poet, special friend of youth, caretaker of the environment, always determined to make the best of any situation; a blithe spirit wafting across a brief span of history: she died July 10, 2020 at Prescott, Arizona...

Lonnie Stoker, son of the late Lester Stoker and Mildred Hudgens Stoker, was born on September 14, 1946 in Bloomfield, Missouri, and departed this life on July 12, 2020 at Southeast Health of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, at the age of 73 years. Funeral services were conducted at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Wednesday, July 15, 2020. Interment followed in the Mt. Gilead Hill Cemetery in Bloomfield...

John Hulley, son of Glenys Hulley and the late John Hulley, was born on October 30, 1959 in Connah’s Quay, Flintshire, North Wales, and departed this life on July 12, 2020 at his residence in Wappapello, Missouri, at the age of 60 years. Friends may call at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Thursday, July 16, 2020 from 10:00 a.m. ...

Pam Ribble, daughter of the late LeeRoy Harris and Vena Carr Harris, was born on August 8, 1955 in St. Louis, Missouri, and departed this life on July 12, 2020 at Cypress Point Skilled Nursing in Dexter, Missouri, at the age of 64 years. Mrs. Ribble was a former purchasing agent for Arvin Automotive, retiring after 32 years of service, and she was a resident of Bloomfield, Missouri. She loved St. Louis Cardinals Baseball, NASCAR Racing, and former NASCAR Driver #6, Mark Martin...

Martha Lee (Bowling) Lee, daughter of the late Reuben Bowling and Jewell Josephine Haskins was born on July 17, 1942 in Lilbourn and departed this life on Tuesday, July 7, 2020 in Cape Girardeau, at the age of 77. Mrs. Lee was a homemaker, a career that she cherished and was a true expert at. ...

Richard Thomas Dixon, son of the Virgie Wopperer Dixon and the late Barney Dixon, was born on August 26, 1969 in Wayne, Michigan and departed this life on June 27, 2020 at Southeast Health in Cape Girardeau, Missouri at the age of 50 years. Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is in charge of all arrangements...

Bonnie J. Williamson, daughter of the late Floyd Anderson and Alta Wilfong Anderson, was born on June 15, 1934 in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, and departed this life on July 1, 2020 at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, at the age of 86 years...

John William “Bill” Wheeler, son of the late Lawrence Wheeler and Mary White Wheeler, was born on March 25, 1927, in Centerville, Iowa and departed this life on May 17, 2020 at his residence in Dexter, Missouri at the age of 93 years. Visitation will be held at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Tuesday, July 14, 2020 from 9 a.m. ...

Earl W. Dunning, son of the late Albert W. Dunning and Etheal P. Austin Dunning, was born on July 10, 1925 in Frisbee, Missouri, and departed this life on June 22, 2020 at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, at the age of 94 years....

Thomas Leroy Russell, son of the late Donald Russell and Hazel Hughes Anderson, was born on December 15, 1935 in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and departed this life on June 22, 2020 at the Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau, Missouri at the age of 84 years...

Ronnie Edwards, son of the late Leo Edwards and Theresa Larsen Edwards, was born on November 29, 1943 in Dexter, Missouri, and departed this life on June 24, 2020 at his residence in Bloomfield, Missouri, at the age of 76 years. Funeral services were conducted at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Friday, June 26, 2020. Interment followed in the Dexter Cemetery...

Paul Dewey Bevins, was born on July 15, 1940 in Paintsville, Kentucky, and departed this life on June 23, 2020 at his residence in Dexter Missouri at the age of 79 years. A memorial service was conducted at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Tuesday, June 30, 2020. Interment followed in the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield, with full military honors...

Alvin T. Gibson, son of the late Tom Gibson and Virgie Mae Lanning LaRue, was born on April 13, 1948 in Grayridge, Missouri, and departed this life on June 23, 2020 at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston, Missouri at the age of 72 years. A private memorial service will be planned for a later date...

Leonard Dean Frymire, 63 of Dexter, Mo., passed away Wednesday, June 17, 2020, at home surrounded by his family. Leonard was born Nov. 20, 1956, to Dempsey Noah and Flora Mae (Blocker) Frymire at Turkey Creek, Mo.  His joys were playing music with his son and close friends and cooking with his daughter. Leonard loved to fish and being outdoors clearing land and enjoying nature. ...

Shirley Louise Nichols McGowan 80 of Bernie, passed away June 28 at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau. Visitation will be held at Mathis Funeral Home in Bernie on Wednesday Morning July 1, 2020, 9:30 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. Graveside Services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 1, 2020 at Bernie Cemetery. Mathis Funeral Home in charge of all arrangements...

Robert Lee Young Jr. also known to his friends and family as Bob, Bobby, Dad and “GrandBob” died peacefully on June 27, 2020 surrounded by his family at Cypress Point Skilled Nursing Facility in Dexter at the age of 72. Bob was born on September 12, 1947 in Poplar Bluff.  He was the youngest of three children born to Robert Lee Young Sr. and Welta Marie Adams Young.  He is survived by two sisters Margaret Cox & husband Dennis and Linda Quinn & husband Jerry all of  Dexter, Missouri...

Don Alan King, son of the late William Gale King and Hazel Leonna Phelps King, was born on August 22, 1942 in Bell City, Missouri and departed this life on April 9, 2020 at his residence in Dexter at the age of 77 years. Friends may call at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Saturday, June 27, 2020 from 12:30 p.m. to 1 p.m. A memorial service will then be conducted in the Mathis Funeral Chapel on Saturday, June 27, 2020 at 1 p.m. A graveside service will follow at Walker Cemetery in Bloomfield...

Donna Kay Whitley, daughter of the late Robert Miller and Patricia Sullivan Hart, was born on October 7, 1964 in Hayti, Missouri, and departed this life on June 19, 2020 at Southeast Health of Cape Girardeau, Missouri at the age of 56 years. Visitation was held on Wednesday, June 24, 2020 from noon until 2 p.m. ...

William Darrell Grimm, son of Shirley Ann Webb DeVore and the late William Eugene Grimm, was born on November 13, 1967 in Wurzberg, Germany and departed this life on June 17, 2020 in Laredo, Texas at the age of 52 years. Graveside services will be conducted at Webb Cemetery in Dexter, Missouri on Wednesday, July 1, 2020...

William “Bill” Ray Francis Sr., son of the late Joe Francis and Mable Joseph Francis, was born on March 31, 1938 in Pontiac, Michigan, and departed this life on June 17, 2020 at Bethesda Dilworth Skilled Nursing in St. Louis, Missouri, at the age of 82 years...

Maxine Simmons, daughter of the late Ed and Pearle Albertson Goode was born on January 26, 1919 in Big Ridge, Missouri and passed away on June 19, 2020 in Dexter, Missouri at the age of 101. Private funeral services will be conducted on Thursday, June 25, 2020 at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter, Missouri. Interment will follow in the Garden of Memories Cemetery in Sikeston, Missouri...

Peggy Louise Harris, of Florence, Alabama, formerly of Bloomfield, Missouri, was born February 10, 1930 in St. Louis, Missouri, and departed this life on Wednesday June 17, 2020 at North Alabama Medical Center at the age of 90 years, after a brief illness...

Robert Edward Kennedy, 50 of Bernie, passed away June 19, 2020 at Cape Girardeau, Mo.  Visitation will be held on Tuesday night, June 23, 2020 from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m.at Mathis Funeral Home in Bernie. Funeral services were conducted on Wednesday June 24, 2020 at 11 a.m. at Mathis Funeral Chapel in Bernie.  Interment followed in Missouri State Veterans Cemetery. Mathis Funeral Home of Bernie is in charge of all arrangements...

Sheena Lenett Donaldson Hooper 36, passed away June 14, 2020 at her home in Parma.  Visitation was Monday June 22, 2020 from 11 a.m. until noon  in the Mathis Funeral Home in Bernie.  Funeral services were conducted in the Mathis Funeral Chapel at noon. Interment followed in Macedonia Cemetery of Malden.  Mathis Funeral Home of Bernie is in charge of all arrangements...

William Darrell Grimm, son of Shirley Ann Webb DeVore and the late William Eugene Grimm, was born on November 13, 1967 in Wurzberg, Germany and departed this life on June 17, 2020 in Laredo, Texas at the age of 52 years. Graveside services will be conducted at Webb Cemetery in Dexter, Missouri on Wednesday, July 1, 2020...

Estell Cook 80, of Malden passed away June 17, 2020 at Gideon Care Center in Gideon, Missouri.  Visitation was conducted Tuesday, June 23, 2020 at Mathis Funeral Home in Bernie from 10 a.m. until noon.   Funeral Services were conducted at noon at Mathis Funeral Home in Bernie, Missouri.  Interment followed in Bernie Cemetery. Mathis Funeral Home of Bernie is in charge of arrangements...

Helen Margaret Chasteen, daughter of the late William Fields and Lydia Akers Fields, was born on December 5, 1927 in Malden, Missouri, and departed this life on June 17, 2020 at Cypress Point Skilled Nursing in Dexter, Missouri at the age of 92 years...

Sheena Lenett Donaldson Hooper 36, passed away June 14, 2020 at her home in Parma.  Visitation will be Monday June 22, 2020 from 11 a.m. until noon  in the Mathis Funeral Home in Bernie.  Funeral services will then be conducted in the Mathis Funeral Chapel at noon  Interment in Macedonia Cemetery of Malden.  Mathis Funeral Home of Bernie in charge of all arrangements...

Kenneth Walker, 75 of Holts Summit, Missouri passed away on June 8, 2020.  A visitation will be held at Mathis Funeral Home, Saturday, June 20, 2020 from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m..  Full Military Honors will be conducted at 1 p.m. at the Mathis Funeral Home in Bernie...

Treniss Jewel “T. J.” Evans, son of the late Thurman Evans and Lola Randolph Evans, was born on July 31, 1932 in Advance, Missouri, and departed this life on June 12, 2020 at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, at the age of 87 years...

Velma Louise Moore Underwood Pierce, daughter of the late Perry Lee Moore and Edna Bell Young Moore, was born on October 23, 1932 in Birds Corner, Missouri, and departed this life on June 11, 2020 at her residence in Bloomfield, Missouri, at the age of 87 years...

Dorothy Louise Sayre of Dexter, daughter of the late Luther and May Cates, was born in Bloomfield,on October 15, 1925, and passed away at her home in Dexter, on June 8, 2020, at the age of 94 years. She lived in the Dexter area most of her life. Dorothy enjoyed being a housewife, cooking, playing the piano and studying her Bible...

Debbie Ann Spence, daughter of the late Frank Kirkpatrick and Doris Chandler Kirkpatrick, was born on January 25, 1957 in Elgin, Illinois, and departed this life on June 9, 2020 at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, at the age of 63 years...

Rev. William Edward Dunivan Jr., 70, of Puxico, Mo., died Wednesday, June 10, 2020 at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center, in Poplar Bluff, Mo.   Rev. Dunivan was born Nov. 11, 1949 in Cape Girardeau, Mo., son of the late William Edward Sr. and Shirley June Dunivan.  ...

Michael Steven Lambert, son of the late Nolean Beardsley and Marjorie Meritt McGuire, was born on July 26, 1951 in Sikeston and departed this life on June 11, 2020 at his residence in Dexter, at the age of 68 years. Mr. Lambert was a veteran of the United States Army, serving in the Vietnam war. He worked in construction as a concrete finisher. Steve loved the outdoors; he was an avid duck hunter and enjoyed camping at the river with his family and friends...