Ira “Conway” Leathers, son of the late Lewis Bill Leathers and Susie Absher Leathers, was born on October 11, 1947 in Dexter, Missouri and departed this life on Monday, September 23, 2019 at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston, Missouri at the age of 71 years.
Mr. Leathers was a veteran of the United States Army and a member of the First Pentecostal Church in Dexter. From 1974 to 1995, he operated the can presser for Purolator in Dexter and from 1996 to 2003, he was a cabinet maker for W. W. Wood Products in Dudley. He loved Jesus, his family and the St. Louis Cardinals.
On November 6, 1968, in Dexter, Missouri, he was united in marriage to Jennolia Ann Shipley. Mrs. Leathers survives of their home in Sikeston.
In addition to his wife, Jennolia, he is survived by his son, Cory Leathers and wife Kim of Chantilly, Virginia; by his daughter, Gloria Young of Bernie, Missouri; by two brothers, James Leathers of Elsberry, Missouri and Danny Leathers of Dexter, Missouri; by his sister, Patty Leathers of Dexter, Missouri; and by two grandchildren, Austin Leathers and Dylan Young.
Other than by his parents, he was preceded in death by his son-in-law, Todd Young, by two brothers, Bill Leathers and Larry Leathers; and by two sisters, Christine Tibbs and Geraldine Warren.
Friends may call at Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Wednesday, September 25, 2019 from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Funeral services will then be conducted in the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Chapel on Wednesday, September 25, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Jeff Wells officiating.
Interment will follow in the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield, with full military honors.
Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is in charge of all arrangements.
Jimmy Ray Smith departed peacefully from his life and entered the gates of Heaven on September 20, 2019, at the Southeast Heath Center in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.
Jimmy was born on March 28, 1949 to the late Ray Smith and Arvella Brown Smith. He was united in marriage to Charlotte Westrich on July 26, 1969 in Chaffee, Missouri. Mrs. Smith survives of the home in Chaffee and had recently celebrated a beautiful milestone of 50 years together as husband and wife.
Jimmy was a 1967 graduate of Chaffee High School. While attending, He excelled as a left-handed pitcher for the high school baseball team. Jimmy was an avid St. Louis Cardinal Baseball and Kentucky Wildcats Basketball fan. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Chaffee, having served as a past deacon, and was a United States Veteran of the Vietnam War. He retired with Craftsman Independent Union as a pipefitter, a very proud grandpa to his two grandchildren, and a resident of Chaffee.
Besides his loving wife Charlotte, survivors include one daughter, Kimberly Pennington (Ryan) of Chaffee; grandson Trenton Pennington (Jessica) of Chaffee; granddaughter, Kylea Pennington of Chaffee; one sister, Cathy Imhoff (Harry) of Chaffee; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Elmer and Janet Schaefer of Oran, and father-in-law and mother-in-law Charles and Marcella Westrich of Chaffee, along with several nieces and nephews.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother-in-law, Elmer Trost.
Friends may call at the Amick-Burnett Funeral Home from 9:00 until 11:00 A.M. Wednesday, September 25, 2019. Funeral services will then be conducted on Wednesday at 11:00 A.M. in the Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel with Rev. Phil Berry officiating. Interment will follow in the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery with full military honors.
Maxine Daniel of Dexter, daughter of the late Leslie Harrison and Frona Francis Stuart, was born in St. Louis, Missouri on March 24, 1924, and passed away at the Winchester Nursing Center in Bernie on September 19, 2019, at the age of 95 years, 5 months and 26 days.
She had lived in Dexter most of her life. She had worked as a bank teller and Bookkeeping Dept. Supervisor and as a caseworker with the Stoddard County Family Service office. She was a member of the First Christian Church in Dexter where she had taught youth and adult Sunday School, sang in the choir, and was a member of the Christian Women's Fellowship, Church Women United and the second woman elected to serve as an Elder at the church. She had also served on the Keller Library Board for nine years and was a member of Chapter CP B.P.O. She enjoyed cooking and entertaining her friends and family, painting, needlework, word games and crossword puzzles.
On October 25, 1945, she married A. Bradley Daniel in Dexter, Missouri. He preceded her in death on January 16, 1998.
Surviving are one son and wife, Jon & Jo Daniel of Fredericktown; two grandchildren and spouses, Aaron & Lori Daniel of Fulton, Rebecca & Bill Hampton of Springfield; two step-grandchildren, Matthew & Amy Worley, David Worley all of Dexter; four great grandchildren, Emma & Liam Hampton of Springfield, Asher & Benjamin Daniel of Fulton; three step-great grandchildren, Jack, Cooper and Luke Worley all of Dexter. Other relatives and friends also survive. She was preceded in death by one sister, Betty Young and a beloved daughter in law, Cheryl Caudle Daniel.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, September 28, 2019, after 10:00 a.m. at the Watkins & Sons Chapel in Dexter until time of services at 1:00 p.m.
Interment will follow in the Dexter Cemetery in Dexter, Missouri with Watkins & Sons Funeral Service of Dexter in charge of arrangements.
Memorials may be made to the First Christian Church Building Fund, P O Box 295, Dexter, Missouri 63841.
Drake James Guffey, 14 of Puxico, Missouri died September 14, 2019 in the Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital in St. Louis Missouri.
He was born March 1, 2005 in Poplar Bluff to Brian and Jessica Guffey.
Drake was a freshman at Puxico high school. He was a member of the F.F.A (Future Farmers of America), F.B.L.A. (Future Business Leaders of America), F.C.C.L.A. (Family Career and Community Leaders of America). He excelled at basketball and baseball and was an avid hunter and fisherman. He enjoyed competing in the Wappapello Bass Circuit and Angler’s Choice and Bass Tournament.
Drake was an ambitious young man and It was evident after sustaining his injuries how much the community loved him and how much of an influence he had on countless people during his young life. Several communities across the nation lifted him up in prayer during his valiant fight. The city and outlying communities are in mourning along with Drake’s family.
At an early age, Drake understood God’s love for him. He accepted Jesus as his personal savior and was Baptized at 9 years old on March 30, 2014.
Along with his father, Brian Guffey (Heather Allen) and mother Jessica Fleeman (Phillip), Drake is survived by one sister Shelby Bollinger (A.J.); grandparents Jim Nelson and Kathy “Gig” Nelson and Marilyn Fox; two special cousins Morgyn Nelson and Austin Harbin; Along with many aunts, uncles, cousins, extended family and friends.
Complete funeral arrangements are incomplete at this time and will be released in short order.
Bobby Ray Hicks, son of the late George Hicks and Trannie Ingle Hicks, was born on September 2, 1933 in Double Springs, Alabama and departed this life on Sunday, September 15, 2019 at Southeast Health of Cape Girardeau, Missouri at the age of 86 years.
Mr. Hicks was a member of the New Hope General Baptist Church in Essex, a former County Supervisor for the USDA and a Farmer. For many years, he held the Bloomfield Christmas tournament record for highest points scored, 52 points, during a game. He attended Arkansas State University on a basketball scholarship. He enjoyed his grandchildren, great-grandchildren and golf.
On June 28, 1952, in Pocahontas, Arkansas, he was united in marriage to Juanita Duckworth. Mrs. Hicks survives of their home in Essex.
In addition to his wife, Juanita, he is survived by two sons, Alan Hicks and wife Becky of Poplar Bluff and Derry Ray Hicks and wife Kay of Hendrickson; by his daughter, Kristi Hook and husband James of Essex; by two brothers, Dee Wayne Hicks of Jackson, Missouri, Lamar Hicks of Kansas City, Missouri; by four grandchildren, Jessi Surface, Makenna Wright, Whitney White and Caitlin Carrillo; and by ten great-grandchildren.
Other than by his parents, he was preceded in death by four brothers, Cecil Hicks, William Hicks, Ed Hicks, and Billy Hicks; and by four sisters, Jewell Ramsey, Lois Richards, Lorene Fulgham and Gertrude Hicks; and by three great-grandchildren.
Graveside services will be conducted on Wednesday, September 18, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. at Essex Cemetery in Essex, Missouri with Rev. James Hook officiating.
Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is in charge of all arrangements.
