Jewel Bessie Williams, daughter of the late Edward Franklin and Malinda Mae Smith Niswonger, was born in Clay County, Arkansas on February 19, 1927, and passed away at the Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston on May 3, 2018, at the age of 91 years, 2 months and 14 days.

Mrs. Williams had lived in the Catron and Lilbourn area most of her life. She was a member of the Catron Baptist Church in Catron. She enjoyed .

On December 12, 1948, she was married to Vearl Lee Williams in Bloomfield, Missouri. He preceded her in death on August 21, 1990.

Surviving are four daughters, Malinda Lawson of Howardville, Betty Williams of Lilbourn, Bonnie Williams of Marston, Karen Harding of New Port News, Virginia; six sons, Billy Williams of Sikeston, Earl Williams of Tampa, Florida, Freddie Williams of Marston, Michael Williams of Kewanee, Tommy Williams of Catron; numerous grandchildren; numerous great grandchildren; numerous great great grandchildren; one brother, Curtis Niswonger. Other family and friends also survive.

She was preceded in death by sons, Kenneth, Curtis and Johnny Williams; and daughter, Brenda Williams; siblings, Ivie, Ralph, Irine and Billy J. Niswonger.

Visitation was held on Monday, May 7 , 2018, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Watkins & Sons Funeral Home in Dexter, Missouri.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, May 8, 2018, at 1:00 p.m. at the Watkins & Sons Chapel in Dexter, Missouri with the Rev. Travis Lambert of Lilbourn, Missouri officiating.

Interment followed at the Mounds Cemetery near New Madrid, Missouri with Watkins & Sons Funeral Service of Dexter in charge of arrangements.

Melba Jean Brown Smith Atherton, daughter of the late Ewing Lawrence Brown and Pearl Lane Brown was born on October 26, 1927 in Dexter, Missouri and departed this life on May 8, 2018 at the Cypress Point Skilled Nursing Center in Dexter at the age 90 years.

Mrs. Atherton was the head cook in the lunch room at the Dexter High School and Middle School in Dexter.  She had been a member of the First Baptist Church of Dexter since 1947 and was active in the choir for 40 years.

On April 12, 1952, she was united in marriage to Arvel Smith and with this marriage was a union of one son. Arvel passed in August of 1977.  On July 1, 1983 she was united in marriage to Pete Atherton in Dexter, Missouri.  Mr. Atherton preceded her in death in March, 2008.

She is survived by one son, David Smith of Dexter, Missouri; by two sisters, Glenda Holder of Dexter and Lois Teets of Bernie; one step-son, Ron Atherton of Dexter, Missouri; by three step-daughters, Judy Lincoln of Eldon, Missouri, Patty Green of Springfield, Missouri and Norma Crane of Lake of the Ozarks; by sister-in-law Merle Taylor; by many nieces and nephews.

Besides her parents and husbands, she was preceded in death by four brothers, Junior Brown and Marvin Brown, Dean Brown and Elvis Brown; by three sisters, Helen Taylor, Wilma Renfro and Thelma Stevens.

Friends may call at the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Thursday, May 10, 2018 from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM. 

Funeral services will be conducted on Thursday, May 10, 2018 at 1:30 PM in the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Chapel with Rev. Greg McGhee officiating. 

Interment will follow at the Dexter Cemetery.

Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter in charge of all arrangements.

Helen Lavern McCain, daughter of the late William Robert Kinsey and Mary Ann Butram Kinsey was born on April 15, 1931 at Gideon and departed this life at the Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau on May 4, 2018 at the age of 87.

Mrs. McCain was a homemaker and a resident of Bloomfield. She was a member of the Emmanuel Baptist Church in Dexter. 

She was united in marriage to C.J. McCain in Sikeston on May 28, 1950. Mr. McCain survives of the home.

Survivors include her husband; one son, John McCain (Cinda) of Bloomfield; five grandchildren, Erin Oakley, Seth McCain, Jennifer Tvrdy, William Heck, Megan Byers; and ten great-grandchildren. 

She was preceded in death by her parents; by her daughter, Candis Heck; by two brothers, Alfred Kinsey and Raymond Kinsey and by four sisters, Hazel Lambert, Cleo Gray, Nellie Austin and Florence Cato.

Friends may call at the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Tuesday, May 8, 2018 from 11:30 A.M. to 2:00 P.M.

Funeral services will then be conducted in the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Chapel in Dexter at 2:00 P.M with Rev. Shane Mallard officiating.

Interment will follow in the Oak Ridge Cemetery near Bloomfield. Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in charge of all arrangements.

Colby Garrett Barnes, son of Garry and Terri “LaDawn” Wolpers Barnes was born on August 28, 1992 in Poplar Bluff, Missouri and departed this life at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau, Missouri at the age of 25 years.

Colby was owner and operator of Semo Dirtworks in Dexter, Missouri. He attended the Living Water Worship Center in Bloomfield, Missouri and was a resident of Dexter, Missouri.

Colby loved hunting, fishing, camping, and canoeing. Through school, Colby was involved in football, wrestling, baseball, and basketball. Operating his machinery was something he looked forward to everyday. Learning to play guitar and the drums was a passion of his. He enjoyed nature and being in the woods as often as he could. Colby loved being with his family, his friends, and his dogs, and would do anything for them. 

Colby was united in marriage to Christine Farrah on June 11, 2011 in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. Mrs. Farrah survives of the home in Dexter, Missouri.

Besides his parents and wife Christine; he is survived by one brother, Brandon Barnes of Dexter, Missouri; by maternal grandparents, Terry and Malissa Wolpers of Dexter, Missouri, Rosetta Robertson of Dexter, Missouri and James Robertson of Poplar Bluff, Missouri; by great-grandmother, Maggie Howell of Dexter, Missouri; by one nephew Newt Barnes and by one niece, Raelyn Bleu Barnes.

He was preceded in death by paternal grandparents, James and Mary Barnes.

Friends may call at the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Sunday, May 6, 2018 from 5:00 to 8:00 PM. 

Funeral services will be conducted on Monday, May 7, 2018 at 11:00 AM in the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Chapel with Rev. Jim Hook officiating.  Interment will follow at the Armstead Dowdy Cemetery in rural Dexter, Missouri.  

Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter in charge of all arrangements.

Frances Irene Headd formerly of Parma, daughter of the late Thomas Hudson and Lillie Gertrude Singleton Parker, was born on December 15, 1923, in Parma, Missouri and passed away at the Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau on May 2, 2018, at the age of 94 years.

She had lived in Parma before spending 17 years in California and 35 years in Florida. She moved to Benton, Missouri in 2005. She was a member of the First Assembly of God Church in Cape Girardeau. She was a retired school teacher.

In 1951 she married William H. Headd in Piggott, Arkansas.

Surviving are her husband, William H. "Bill" Headd of Benton, Missouri; two sons & wives, Robert Douglas & Marilyn Headd-Timmons of Ridgefield, Washington, Charles Michael & Valerie Headd of Manassas, Virginia; two daughters & husbands, Karma Lilth & James Aldridge of Benton, Missouri, Barbara Lou and Gary Smith of Monticello, Arkansas; 11 grandchildren; 18 great grandchildren; 8 great great grandchildren; two brothers, Aaron Parker of Bedford, Oregon; Lenon Parker of Bakersfield, California; and one sister, Cleta Fay Hillygus of Morro Bay, California. Other relatives and friends also survive. She was preceded in death by five brothers, John, Ronald, Raymond, Tom and Fonnie Parker; three sisters, Lena Ruth Parker, Evelyn Parker, and Rita Mae Hodges.

Interment will be held on Saturday, May 5, 2018, at 11:30 a.m. at the Parma Cemetery, Watkins & Sons Funeral Service of Dexter in charge of arrangements.

Cards, flowers and letters may be sent to the family at 104 Alexis Lane, Benton, MO 63736.