Joseph (Joe) Tilmon Sifford, 97, passed away on February 11, 2017, in Springfield, Missouri.
A lifelong resident of Puxico, Missouri, Joe was not only a loving husband, dedicated father and grandfather, loyal friend, and ornery brother, he was also a cornerstone of his beloved Puxico community.
Joe championed education as a member of the Puxico School Board. He gave families a place where “Your “$’s Have More ¢’s” at Joe Sifford's Grocery. And he learned the name of many Puxico residents as he handed out Hubba Bubba chewing gum along his route as a mail carrier for the US Postal Service.
During World War II, Joe served his country with the same loyalty and work ethic with which he served his hometown. As a radio man in the U.S. Navy, Joe used Morse Code to send and receive coded messages that protected lives and influenced the outcome of the war. On September 2, 1945, Joe was aboard the U.S.S. Idaho as it anchored in Tokyo Bay for the signing of the Japanese Surrender.
Joe and wife, Verna, were parents to one daughter, Joan, whose generous spirit and joyful disposition is a tribute to the loving home they created. Now of Springfield, Missouri, Joan and husband, Wayne Finger, have raised three Sifford-proud children, LaShae (Steve), Lisa, Craig (Shawn) and four grandchildren (Emily, Jacob, Lucas and Levi), two of whom carry Joe’s name: Jacob Joseph and Lucas Tilmon. He is also survived by baby brother George (Amos), his partner in mischief.
He was preceded in death by his wife Verna, mother and father Jane and Tilmon Gifford, infant sister Valeria, brother Everett (Hook), John Albert (Square), and sister Faye Sifford Cookson.
Joe was also an active member of his church, Kinder Baptist, where his booming baritone shook the pews on every chorus of “How Great Thou Art.”
Perhaps what he’s best known for, Joe was the “voice” of Puxico Homecoming for more than 50 years. Together, he and Verna sat chair-to-chair at the Homecoming announcer’s table nearly every summer of their 61-year marriage. From promoting goat burgers and corn dogs at the Lady’s VFW booth, to giving away “bicycles, tricycles and little red wagons” in the children’s drawing, Joe’s deep, sincere laugh and playful banter with every passersby, made his gentle voice the friendly, familiar sound that welcomed us all back home.
In celebration of Joe’s final Homecoming, family and friends will gather at the Morgan-Sifford Funeral Home in Puxico, Missouri, for visitation on Monday, February 13 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, and for the funeral on Tuesday, February 14 at 11:00 am.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Puxico High School, Joe Sifford Education Scholarship Fund; in care of Anthony Sifford, First Midwest Band, 141 E. Richardson, Puxico Missouri 63960.
Laura Edith Shipman, daughter of the late James Madison Jones and Oma McAllister Jones was born on June 8, 1923 in Salem, Missouri and departed this life on February 10, 2017 at her residence near Bloomfield at the age of 93.
Mrs. Shipman was a member of the Bloomfield Church of Christ and a resident of rural Bloomfield. She was a driver for the Stoddard County Transit and a cook at both the Beverly Healthcare and at the OAKS Dexter Senior Center.
On May 23, 1942 she was united in marriage to Charles Shipman in Dexter. Mr. Shipman preceded her in death on February 21, 2016.
She is survived by three sons, Larry and wife Jan Shipman of Dexter, Ronnie Shipman of Phoenix, Arizona and Donnie and wife Laurie Shipman of Bloomfield; by two daughters, Charlotte and husband Frank Thomason of Dexter and Jan and husband Jay Asbell of Ozark, Missouri; by two sisters, Irmadean Jones of Dexter and June Laramore of Potosi, Missouri; by fourteen grandchildren, twenty-two great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren; and by four step-grandchildren, six step-great-grandchildren and six step-great-great-grandchildren.
Besides her husband and parents she was preceded in death by one son, Cletus Shipman; by one brother, James B. Jones and by two sisters, Beulah Shipman and Lorene Hudgens.
Friends may call at the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home on Tuesday, February 14, 2017 from 5:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M.
Funeral services will then be conducted on Wednesday, February 15, 2017 at 11:00 A.M. in the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Chapel in Dexter with Clyde Jacques officiating.
Interment will follow in the Hagy Cemetery.
Scott Arnold, son of Joan Arnold of Puxico, Missouri and the late John Bennett Arnold was born on February 7, 1962 in Hayti, Missouri and departed this life on February 11, 2017 at his residence in rural Bernie at the age of 55.
Mr. Arnold was an entrepreneur, working in the trucking industry as well as rental properties. He was a resident of rural Bernie.
On April 14, 1979 he was united in marriage to Candy Early in Pyle Town. Mrs. Arnold survives of their home in rural Bernie.
Besides his wife he is survived by three sons, Derik Scott Arnold and wife Casey of Bernie, Christopher John Arnold and wife Laticia of St. Peters, Missouri and Britt Daniel Arnold and wife LaTisha of Bernie; by one daughter, Traka Kay Snider and husband Jordon of Bernie; by one sister, Sue Cagle of Puxico; by twelve grandchildren, Cymber Arnold, Cade Arnold, Creed Arnold, Lane Arnold, Luke Arnold, Liam Arnold, Taven Owens, Braxton Arnold, Dyson Arnold, Kannon Arnold, Skylon Arnold, Amelia Snider and one grandchild who is on the way.
Besides his father he was preceded in death by one brother, Michael Todd Arnold.
Friends may call at the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Bernie on Tuesday, February 14, 2017 from 5:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M.
Funeral services will then be conducted on Wednesday, February 15, 2017 at 11:00 A.M. at the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Chapel in Bernie with Stan Dauck officiating.
Interment will follow in the Bernie Cemetery.
Katteena "Tina" Borders, daughter of the late George Edward and Flo Magnolia Cawhorn Plunk, was born in Marston, Missouri on April 5, 1968, and passed away at the Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau, Missouri on February 9, 2017, at the age of 48 years, 10 months and 4 days.
Mrs. Borders had lived in the Dexter area all of her life. She had attended the Lighthouse Christian Center in Dexter.
On January 29, 1993, she married Johnny Dean Borders in Dexter, Missouri.
Surviving are her husband, Johnny Dean Borders of Dexter; two brothers, J. W. Wade, Jr. of Moore, Oklahoma, Gary Wade of Blytheville, Arkansas; one sister, Diane Keirsey of Bloomfield, Missouri; two step-brothers, Joe Plunk of Kentucky and Ed White of Wisconsin; a special nephew, Carey Sheppard of Dexter. Other relatives and friends also survives. She was preceded in death by one brother, Ben Plunk.
Friends may call on Sunday, February 12, 2017, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Watkins & Sons Funeral Home in Dexter, Missouri.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, February 13, 2017, at 1:00 p.m. at the Watkins & Sons Funeral Home in Dexter, Missouri with the Rev. ????Tim Russell of Dexter officiating.
Interment will be in the Hagy Cemetery in Dexter, Missouri with Watkins & Sons Funeral Service of Dexter, Missouri in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.watkinsfuneralhome.com
Watkins & Sons Funeral Service
573-624-3548
Emma Evadeen Choat, daughter of John R. and Ethel M. Baker Merideth, was born on March 28, 1925 in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee, and departed this world on February 8, 2017 in Ida, LA, at the age of 91 years and 10 months.
Funeral services will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, February 11th , 2017 at Rainey Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter, Missouri, officiated by Rev. Kenneth Lambert and Rev. Travis Lambert.
Burial will follow at Hobbs Chapel Cemetery.
There will be a time of visitation from 10 AM till the time of service on Saturday, February 11th at the funeral home.
Evadeen lived the majority of her life in the Dudley/Puxico, MO area until she moved to Louisiana about 6 years ago. She was a member of Hobbs Methodist Church.
On May 11, 1946, she married Howard “Pete” Choat. Pete preceded her in death on February 24, 1979. One daughter, Dorothy Choat, also preceded her in death. From this union two sons survive, Carrol Choat of Rodessa, Louisiana and Ray Choat and wife Cheryl of Ida, Louisiana.
She is survived by 5 grandchildren, Heather Russ of Shreveport, LA, Nikki Dorman and husband Westley of DeQuincy, LA, Christopher Choat of Ida, LA, Wesley Choat and wife Miranda of Ida, LA, and Ryan Choat of Gilliam, LA.
Evadeen was also blessed with 7 great grandchildren, Taylor Mangham, Elizabeth Seeger, Karissa Dorman, Lauren Russ, Hayden Dorman, Easton Choat, Tatum Choat, and Holdyn Dorman.
She is survived by one brother, J. D. Merideth and wife Jeanie of Festus, MO, and one sister, Ann Brooks of Festus, MO. Evadeen was preceded in death by 3 brothers, James Baker, Dallas Merideth, and Bill Merideth, one sister Betty Aslin and her step-mother Libby Merideth.
She is also preceded in death by a special friend of many years, Harlan Foster, from this friendship an extended family of 4 daughters, 1 son, 11 grandchildren, and 5 great grandchildren. Numerous nephews, nieces and friends also survive.
Pallbearers will be Ryan Choat, Wesley Choat, Rich Merideth, Jake Muckerman, Matt Foster and Mark Foster. Honorary pallbearers include Christopher Choat, Easton Choat and Hayden Dorman.
