Rev. Rayla Stewart Hogue passed away Friday, October 14, 2016, just before 6:00 am. Rev. Hogue was at her home in Clarksburg on hospice after a six month battle with colon cancer.
Rayla was born Rayla Kay Stewart on April 14, 1955, in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, to parents Raymond and Naomi Stewart, who preceded her in death.
She was raised in Dexter until she left home for college in 1973. She met her husband, James, in January, 1977 and they were married after graduation from Southwest Missouri State University on May 19, 1978.
Rayla was preceded in death by a sister, Suzanne.
She is survived by her husband, James V., of the home in Clarksburg, one son, James S., and his wife, Maria, also of Clarksburg, one sister, Lillian Snavely of Ozark, Missouri, as well as six nieces and nephews and numerous other family and friends.
Rayla graduated from SMSU on May 12, 1978 with a B.S. in education, majoring in music performance. She attained a Masters of Arts in Religious Education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1991 and a Masters of Divinity from Memphis Theological Seminary in 2006. Rayla was ordained by the St. Louis Association of the Missouri Mid-South Conference of the United Church of Christ in 2014 and served St. John’s United Church of Christ and Chamois United Methodist Church. She also served in several positions within the conference and on the Committee on Ministry of the Eastern Association, where she held her clergy standing.
Prior to ordination, Rayla had been a companion and partner to her husband, serving in numerous settings in the Southern Baptist Convention and the United Methodist Church, before finding a home in the United Church of Christ. It was finally in the UCC that she found the support and encouragement to move into ordination and her true calling, her own pastorate. They served in Missouri, Texas, New Mexico, and Colorado and she had grown to love her adopted home in the southern Rockies, but returned to Missouri to care for her parents prior to their deaths.
Rayla had an accomplished history as a vocalist, having been the featured vocalist with the Denver Symphony, the Symphony Orchestra of Albuquerque, and many church related venues. Her musical style was eclectic, including music ranging from classic to blues to jazz to folk to rock.
Rayla will be missed by her husband, son, and daughter-in-law. She will be interred in Dexter, next to her sister and parents, in a private ceremony.
There will be a memorial celebration of her life at St. John’s UCC in Chamois, Missouri, at 3:30 pm on Sunday, October 23, 2016. Rev. Jeffery Hammonds and Rev. Dr. Ginny Brown Daniel will officiate.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Missouri Midwest Conference of United Church of Christ Vitality Covenant Ministry at 475 E. Lockwood Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri 63119.
JW "John" Hughes of Morehouse, son of the late Will and Rhodia Stroud Hughes, was born in Sikeston, Missouri on May 24, 1931, and passed away at the Clearview Nursing Center in Sikeston on October 15, 2016, at the age of 85 years, 4 months and 21 days.
John had lived in Morehouse most of his life. He had worked as a fork lift operator for the Himmleberger-Harrison factory in Morehouse and was of the Pentecostal faith.
On August 16, 1949, he was married to Martha Nell Irene Hensley in Piggott, Arkansas. She preceded him in death on September 11, 2013.
Surviving are three daughters and husbands; Angela & Tom Graham, Margie & Charles Ruedrich all of Sikeston, Rhodia & Troy Fiddler of Lexington, Tennessee; two sons and wives; Paul & Lisa Hughes of Sikeston, Russell & Patsy Hughes of Puxico; nineteen grandchildren; twenty-five great grandchildren; seven great great grandchildren; one brother, Joe Hughes of Morehouse; and one sister, Leone Merriman of Fisk. Other relatives and many friends also survive. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by one son, John William Hughes, and two sisters.
Friends may call on Monday, October 17, 2016, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Watkins & Sons Funeral Home in Dexter, Missouri.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, October 17, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. at the Watkins & Sons Chapel in Dexter, Missouri with Rev. John Ruedrich of Scott City, Missouri officiating.
Interment will follow in the Matthews City Cemetery in Matthews, Missouri with Watkins & Sons Funeral Service of Dexter, Missouri is in charge of arrangements.
Norman Stause, son of the late Hubert Stause and Mayme Beal Stause was born on December 12, 1943 at Glennon and departed this life in the Life Care Center of Cape Girardeau on October 14, 2016 at the age of 72.
Mr. Stause was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Dexter, a 3rd Degree member of the Knights of Columbus, the long-time meat cutter for Shipman’s Market in Dexter and had worked at various other grocery stores in Dexter as a meat cutter.
He was united in marriage to Martha Bader on April 24, 1965 at Dexter. Mrs. Stause preceded him in death on June 10, 2012.
Survivors include one son and daughter in law, Bradley and Pam Stause of Dexter: by three daughters, Antoinette “Toni” Weaver of Hermann, Alana Click and her husband Paul of New Haven and Heidi Stone and her husband Tony of Jackson: by three sisters, Margie Klipfel of Oran, Marie Hinkebein and Ella Elfrink, both of Jackson: by eleven grandchildren, Dusty Weaver, Donovan Weaver, Haylee Weaver, Hannah Weaver, Michala Stone, Mackenzie Stone, Cody Stause, Jordan Stause, SN Ariel Wlodarcik, Ryan Wlodarick and Jesse Click: by three great-grandchildren, Ryven Weaver, Kinley Weaver and Tucker Krull.
Besides his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by one granddaughter, Makenna Stone: by three brothers, James Stause, Clarence Stause and Alvin Stause.
Friends may call at the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter from 5:00 until 8:00 P.M., Monday, October 17, 2017.
Parish Prayers will be recited at 7:00 P.M.
Funeral Mass will be conducted at 10:00 A.M., Tuesday, October 18, 2016 in the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Dexter with Father David Dohogne officiating.
Interment will follow in the Chalk Bluff Cemetery near Dexter.
Samuel Joseph Copeland was born February 9, 1962 in St. Louis, Mo. He went to rest in the arms of Jesus on October 13, 2016 at his home.
He is the son of Doug and Betty Copeland of Sikeston who survives of the home. He resided in Memphis, Tn where he worked at Economy Boat Store as a Tankerman.
On August 29, 2006 he married Sherry D Copeland who survives of the home.
Other survivors include one stepdaughter Brittany LaBuff and two grandchildren Jaden an Kaitlyn. He is also survived by his sisters Davine (Dave) Conover of Poplar Bluff and Kim (GR) Pinkard of Sikeston. He is survived by several nieces and nephews: Katie Newman, Caleb (Julie) Conover, Nick DeLaRosa, Josh (Whitney) Conover, Joey Pinkard, Jordan Pinkard, Henley Newman, Aniston Conover, Trevor, and Morgan.
Sam was a member of Raleigh Assembly of God in Memphis, Tn.
Sam is survived by several cousins and three aunts. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents Darlus Whitmer and Bill Horn and paternal grandparents Hueit and Lela Copeland, five aunts, and five uncles.
Sam loved his family and loved to fish. He was an avid Cardinal fan and Alabama fan. He leaves behind many family members and close friends. He will be be truly missed and loved by all. Sam always had a smile on his face and had a heart do gold.
Nunnlee Funeral Home are in charge of arrangements.
Visitation will be October 16, 2016 from 6:00 - 8:00 at Trinity Gospel Church. Funeral will Monday, October 17, 2016 at 1:00 at Trinity Gospel Church burial will follow in the Garden of Memories Cemetery.
The Rev Carol Deal will officiate. Pallbearer's will be: James Copeland, Dave Cox, GR Pinkard, Josh Conover, Mike Thompson, and Nick DeLaRosa. Honorary pallbearers will be Caleb Conover, Joey Pinkard, Jordan Pinkard, and David Conover.
Michelle Johnson, daughter of the late Odus Ray Johnson and Marion Rusty Black Johnson was born May 20, 1952 in Memphis, Tennessee and departed this life on Monday, October 10, 2016 at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff at the age of 64.
Ms. Johnson was a C.P.A. and Lawyer and graduated from the University of Houston Law Center.
Besides her parents, she is preceded in death by one brother; Douglas Ray Johnson.
Friends may call at the Rainey Mathis Funeral Home on Friday, October 14, 2016 from 9:30 A.M. until 10:30 A.M.
Funeral services will be conducted on Friday, October 14, 2016 at 10:30 A.M. with Rev. Greg McGhee officiating.
Interment will follow on a later date.
