Ira Avery, Jr. of Whitewater, son of late Ira, Sr. and Sophia Ann Kelly Avery, born 06/04/1923 in Clines Island and passed away in Whitewater on 01/13/2020, age 96.
He was born, raised, attended church and school at Clines Island in Stoddard County. After eighth grade he continued learning with the Civilian Conservation Corp (1939-40), and the Merchant Marines as a seaman (1941-45) based in New London, Connecticut. He share cropped his family's farm at Clines Island for forty years with the help of his wife, Jean, and four sons, actively farming until he was 91 years old. The last fourteen months of his life a special care giver looked after him at the farm he loved at Whitewater, with help from his neighbor, Greg Brawley.
On 12/22/1945, he married Wilma Jean Brown in New London, Connecticut. She preceded him in death on January 7, 2010.
Surviving are three sons, James Avery of Whitewater, Steve Avery of San Antonio, Texas, Dennis Avery of Poplar Bluff; eleven grandchildren; sixteen great grandchildren; four great great grandchildren; two sisters, Mary Bizzell of Statesboro, Georgia and Nellie Thurman of St. Louis; and daughter-in-law, Ruth Avery. He was preceded in death by one son, Mike Avery, one brother, John Wes Avery, and four sisters, Gladys Dowdy, Nola Campbell, Susie Smith and Mildred Moore.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, January 18, 2020, after 10:00 am at the Watkins & Sons Funeral Home in Dexter with services at 11:00 am, Pastor Dalton Avery of Republic officiating.
Interment will follow at the Pleasant Grove Cemetery near Bell City with Watkins and Sons Funeral Service of Dexter in charge of all arrangements.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.watkinsfuneralhome.com
Lucille Newsom, daughter of the late August Jessie Sittner and Gertrude Tuck Sittner was born on March 26, 1920 in Vanduser, Missouri and departed this life on January 12, 2020 at the Winchester Place in Bernie, Missouri at the age of 99 years.
Mrs. Newsom was a care giver and a resident of Dexter.
On May 31, 1936 she was united in marriage to Elam “Cotton” Newsom in Piggott, Arkansas. Mr. Newsom preceded her in death on May 24, 1969.
She is survived by four daughters, Elvena Martin and husband Ronnie of Dexter, Missouri, Marian Newsom of Salt Lake City, Utah, Carolyn Lucille Williams of Fenton, Missouri, and Judy Farthing and her husband Joe of Bridgeton, Missouri; by one daughter-in-law, Marilyn Newsom of Puxico, Missouri; by eleven grandchildren, Melanie, Bryce, Jeffery, Jennifer, Kimberly, Becky, Jamie, Ronnie Jr., Kelvin, Tracy and Joey.
Besides her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by one son, Elam “Sonny” Newsom; and by one grandson, Corey Martin.
A Graveside service will be conducted on Tuesday, January 14, 2020 at 12:00 p.m. at the Shain Memorial Cemetery near Fisk, Missouri.
Randall Craig Harris, son of the late Lloyd Harris and Pat Bollinger Harris, was born on May 4, 1949 in Cape Girardeau, Missouri and departed this life on January 11, 2020 at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri at the age of 70 years.
Mr. Harris was a graduate of Overton High School in Memphis, Tennessee and subsequently attended the University of Tennessee. He volunteered for armed service in the United States Air Force stationed at Fort Eglin AFB in Florida. He became the Director of Operations for his father’s KFC franchise, where he worked until 2003. He was a former member of First Baptist Church of Dexter, Missouri and his residence was in Greeneville, Missouri.
On September 28, 2008, he was united in marriage to Phyllis Frazier. Mrs. Harris survives of their home in Greenville.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by two sons, Dustin Harris of Poplar Bluff, Missouri and Jeffrey Rushing of Dexter, Missouri; by two daughters, Deanna Harris of Benton, Arkansas and Jennifer McKinnie; by two brothers, Kevin Harris and Ricky Harris, both of Fruitland, Missouri; and by four grandchildren.
Friends may call at Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Friday, January 17, 2020 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Funeral services will then be conducted on Friday, January 17, 2020 at 1:00 p.m.
Interment will follow in the Morgan Cemetery at Advance, Missouri.
Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is in charge of all arrangements.
Allen Levi Parsley son of the late Donald Parsley and Mary Lou Vanscyoc Parsley, was born on September 4, 1949 in Bloomfield, Missouri and departed this life on January 11, 2020 at his residence in Puxico at the age of 70.
Mr. Parsley served as a deacon at Duck Creek Baptist Church where he was a member for many years. He enjoyed working on tractors and was a member of the Mingo Tractor Club. He never met a stranger, was always ready to listen, and loved sharing his faith. He also enjoyed attending the grandkids events.
On June 7, 1969 he was united in marriage to Pamela Campbell in Puxico. Mrs. Parsley survives of their home in Puxico.
Besides his wife, Pamela, he is survived by one son, Jimmy Parsley and wife Jennifer of Puxico; by one daughter, Jodi Walker and husband Johnny of Bay St. Louis, Mississippi; by one daughter-in-law, Marcy Parsley of Puxico; by two brothers, Edward Parsley and William Parsley both of Puxico; by two sisters, Margie Franklin and Diane Hawthorne both of Puxico and by six grandchildren, Emma Parsley, Hunter Walker, Tommy Parsley, Jacey Kate Parsley, Mason Parsley and Jaylen Parsley.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Jay Allen Parsley.
Friends may call at Duck Creek Baptist Church in Puxico on Tuesday, January 14, 2020 from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.
Funeral services will be conducted on Wednesday, January 15, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. in the Duck Creek Baptist Church in Puxico with Rev. Dusty Stroud officiating.
Interment will follow in the Duck Creek cemetery.
Tommy Lee Pullum, son of the late Bill Pullum and Jessie White Pullum, was born on January 1, 1952 in Bernie, Missouri and departed this life on January 8, 2020 at his residence in Poplar Bluff, Missouri at the age of 68 years.
Mr. Pullum was a former welder for Faurecia in Dexter, Missouri.
On December 8, 1972, in Essex, Missouri, he was united in marriage to Becky Williamson. Mrs. Pullum survives of their home in Poplar Bluff.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by two sons, Stacy Lee Pullum and wife Tanya of Poplar Bluff and Chuck Pullum of Bloomfield; by his daughter, Emily Heuring and husband Darrell of Advance; by his brother, Bobby Joe Pullum of Essex; by his sister, Shelby O’Brien of Essex; by ten grandchildren, Dale Wert, Eli Wert, Sarrah Pullum, Stacia Pullum, Gracen Pullum, Emma Pullum, Tommy Pullum, Rachel Pullum, Rebecca Heuring and Nick Heuring; and by four great-grandchildren, Jaxson Pullum, Mattie Pullum, Brennan Pullum and Darin Andrew.
Other than by his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Nancy Jean Pullum in infancy.
Friends may call at Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Sunday, January 12, 2020 from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Funeral services will then be conducted in the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Chapel on Sunday, January 12, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. with Rev. Harold Carter officiating.
Interment will follow in the Essex Cemetery.
Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is in charge of all arrangements.
