Ronnie Cates, son of the late George Cates and Helen Benes Cates, was born on December 29, 1944 in Houston, Texas and departed this life on April 9, 2019 at the Puxico Nursing and Rehab Center in Puxico, Missouri at the age of 74 years.

Ronnie was a farm worker for Cates Orchard.  He was a member of the Dudley Baptist Church in Dudley, Missouri.  He loved trains, highways and traveling.  He was excited about the future I-57 expansion to Little Rock, Arkansas.  His eyes lit up when he saw a map.

He is survived by three sisters, Patti Kinnamon and her husband Asa of Bloomfield, Missouri, Bessie McRoy of Dudley, Missouri, and Janet Johns and her husband Kevin of Dudley, Missouri.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Timothy Cates.

Friends may call at the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Friday, April 12, 2019 from 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. 

Funeral services will then be conducted in the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Chapel on Friday, April 12, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Jay Scribner officiating. 

Interment will follow in the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield.

Memorials may be made to the Stoddard County Shelter Workshop, 1118 West Center Street, PO Box 505, Dexter, Missouri  63841

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

Gary “Beaver” Blocker son of the late Charles Blocker and Wilda Provance Winchester was born on December 23, 1950 in Bernie, Missouri and departed this life on April 9, 2019 at the Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau at the age of 68.

Gary was a resident of Bernie and attended the Green Forrest Church of Christ.  He owned and operated Beavers BBQ for a number of years.  He was a Veteran of the United States Army.

On December 21, 1970 he was united in marriage to Karen Hardin in Bernie.  Mrs. Blocker survives of their home in Poplar Bluff.

Besides his wife he is survived by one son, Cory Blocker of Dexter, Missouri; by one daughter, Sarah Kingree of Poplar Bluff, Missouri; by two sisters, Debbie Reece and Tcheanina Watkins both of Bernie; by six grandchildren, Shyann Jines, Luke Blocker, Lawson Blocker, Adyson Kingree, Ava Kingree and Kanon Kingree.

Besides his parents he was preceded in death by one brother, Norman Winchester.

A graveside memorial service will be conducted on Thursday, April 11, 2019 at 11:00 A.M. at the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield with Stan Dauck officiating.

In lieu of flowers the family requests all memorials be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 9370 Olive Boulevard, St. Louis, Missouri 63132-3253.

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

Joe Marion Scales, son of the late Joe R. Scales and Pauline Cobb Scales was born in Stoddard County Missouri on October 30, 1934 and departed this life at Cypress Point Healthcare in Dexter, Missouri on April 8, 2019 at the age of 84.

Mr. Scales was a veteran of The United States Army, had worked at Brown Shoe Company as an electrician, then at Liberty Township as Road Boss until his retirement.  He had also worked as a driver for Dunklin County Transit.   He was a member of the American Legion and VFW both of Malden, also a member of Elks and Eagles both of Dexter.  He started up the first Bernie Little Baseball League and  He was a resident of Bernie.

He was united in marriage to Carolyn Kay Whitehead in Campbell, Missouri on April 18, 1964.

Survivors include his wife, Carolyn Scales of Bernie, Missouri; by one daughter, Kelly Owens of Jackson, Missouri; by one son, Joe Anthony Scales of Syracuse, New York; by four grandchildren, Krystal Hobgood ,Waylon Owens, Lindsey and Rachel Scales, by five Great-Grandchildren; by one sister, Annita Hurley of Bernie, Missouri; also by other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death other than by his parents, by one brother, Bill Bolen; by one sister Joyce Davis.

Friends may call at Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Bernie, Missouri on Wednesday evening, April 10, 2019 from 5:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M.   Funeral services will be conducted on Thursday morning, April 11, 2019 at 11:00 A.M.   Interment following in the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield, Missouri with Full Military Honors.

Memorials may be made to

Bernie Little League

% of Bernie Public Schools

516 West Main Avenue

Bernie, Missouri 63822

Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home of Bernie, Missouri in charge of all arrangements.

Inez Holder of Columbus, Georgia, formerly of Dexter, daughter of the late Perry Delmer and Bessie Lee Hendrick Daniel, was born in Murray, Kentucky on June 24, 1921, passed away at the Magnolia Manor Nursing Home in Columbus, Georgia on April 5, 2019, at the age of 97 years, 9 months and 12 days.

Inez lived in Dexter most of her life before moving to Georgia. She had been an active member for many years of the First Church of the Nazarene in Dexter. She had retired in 1979 from the Stovall's Department Store in Dexter.

On November 24, 1938, she married William Berry Holder in Dexter. He preceded her in death on May 20, 2002.

Surviving are three sons and wives, William Berry, Jr. "Bill" & Alice Holder of Scottsboro, Alabama, Jerry & Joan Holder of Columbus, Georgia, Larry & Mary Holder of Bourbonnais, Illinois; five grandchildren; and seven great grandchildren. Other relatives and friends also survive. She was preceded in death by five brothers, Burie, George Earl, Brad, Dallas and Perry Daniel, and four sisters, Lucille Biggerstaff, Delmer Milton, Ruby Daniel and Pat Watkins.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, April 11, 2018 from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at the Watkins & Sons Funeral Home in Dexter.

Funeral Services will be held on Friday at 11:00 a.m. at the Watkins & Sons Chapel in Dexter with the Rev. Mike Williams of Dexter officiating.

Interment will follow in the Dexter Cemetery in Dexter with Watkins & Sons Funeral Service in charge of arrangements.

Mary Ellen Blankenship, daughter of the late Deloyce Robinson and Mary Grace Carter Robinson was born on January 5, 1930 in Knoble, Arkansas and departed this life on Monday April 8, 2019 at her residence in Dexter, Missouri at the age of 89 years.

Mrs. Blankenship was a member of the First Christian Church Disciples of Christ in Dexter, graduated from Dexter High School in 1947 and attended Poplar Bluff Business College. Mary Ellen was the Executive Director Dexter Chamber of Commerce for 18 years, Dexter City Clerk for five years, and a resident of Dexter.

On December 19, 1947 she was united in marriage to Robert (BOB) W. Blankenship in Dexter, Missouri.  Mr. Blankenship preceded her in death on May 2, 2005.

Survives include one son, Robert Scott Blankenship (Jana) of Dexter; one, daughter-in-law, Kaye Blankenship Taylor of Cape Girardeau, Missouri; by one brother, Jamie Robinson of Dexter; by two sisters, Ann Smyth (Jim) of Dexter and June Horton (John ) of Alabama; also by four grandchildren, Matt Blankenship, Wes Blankenship (Brandy), Jordan Blankenship Boyer (Cody), and Jessica Blankenship; and by one great-grandchild, Madison Lane Blankenship.

Besides her husband and parents, she is preceded in death by one son, Richard (Rick) Blankenship, one grandson, Tommy Blankenship, two brothers, Tommy Robinson and Carter Robinson.

Visitation will be held at the First Christian Church Disciples of Christ in Dexter on Wednesday, April 10, 2019 from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. 

A Memorial service will then be conducted on Wednesday, April 10, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. with Rev. Mike Williams officiating and Rev. Elijah Allen assisting.

Interment will follow in the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield, Missouri.

Memorials can be made to the First Christian Church Disciples of Christ, 224 East Stoddard Street, Dexter, Missouri 63841.

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