Ilene E. Worth, daughter of the late Arthur Lee Smith and Elma Rogers Smith, was born on April 8, 1932 in Essex, Missouri and departed this life on April 17, 2020 at Cypress Point Skilled Nursing in Dexter, Missouri at the age of 88 years.
Mrs. Worth was a former bookkeeper for Malone & Hyde in Sikeston, Missouri. She was a member of the Olive Branch General Baptist Church in Essex and the Essex Order of the Eastern Star. Also, she and her husband were pastors of numerous General Baptist Churches in the area.
She was united in marriage to Rev. Willis Henry Worth on October 17, 1948 in Bloomfield, Missouri. Rev. Worth preceded her in death on June 16, 2016.
She is survived by her son, Eugene Worth Jr. of Morehouse; by three daughters, Pamela J. Dowdy of Dexter, Teresa Worth of Dexter and Sandra Nicole Worth of Sikeston; by her sister, Irene Jordan of Dexter; by eight grandchildren, Amy Beth Dowdy, Matthew Dowdy, LaTisha Ivy, Heather Annesser, Shawn Goodman, Jessie Sanders, Lee Bloomfield III and Hannah Worth; by twenty-one great-grandchildren; by eight great-great-grandchildren; and by numerous nieces and nephews.
Other than by her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by four brothers, Robert Smith, Carl Smith, Louie Smith and Arthur Lee Smith.
A private, family only, funeral service will be conducted at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Monday, April 20, 2020. Interment will follow in Essex Cemetery.
Funeral services may be viewed via webcast at mathisfuneralhomes.com or on the Mathis Funeral Home Facebook page. Expressions of sympathy, honoring Mrs. Worth, will be accepted at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to the Stars and Stripes Museum, 17377 Stars and Stripes Way, Bloomfield, MO 63825
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is in charge of all arrangements.
Pauline Jackson Gaskins, daughter of the late Lon Jackson and Jessie Gertrude Parks Jackson, was born on December 27, 1928 in Aid, Missouri and departed this life on April 16, 2020 at Cypress Point Skilled Nursing in Dexter, Missouri and the age of 91 years.
Mrs. Gaskins was a member of Liberty Hill General Baptist Church in Aid and a homemaker.
On May 24, 1952, she was first united in marriage to George Kotoff. Mr. Kotoff preceded her in death on September 22, 2005. She was then united in marriage to Cleo Gaskins. Mr. Gaskins preceded her in death on August 14, 2018.
She is survived by her sister-in-law, Jean Jackson; and by several nieces and nephews.
Other than by her husbands and parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Gerald Jackson and Farrell Jackson; and by her sister, Geraldine Jackson-Pelat.
A private, family only, graveside service will be conducted at the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield on Wednesday, April 22, 2020.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is in charge of all arrangements.
Flossie Lee Craft, daughter of the late Oscar Turner and Bertha Mae Stevens Turner, was born on June 9, 1935 in Lilbourn, Missouri and departed this life on April 15, 2020 at her residence in Bernie, Missouri at the age of 84 years.
Mrs. Craft was a homemaker and of the Baptist faith.
She was united in marriage to Leon Craft in Hernando, Mississippi. Mr. Craft preceded her in death on November 7, 1964.
She is survived by six sons, David Craft of Dexter, Billy Craft of Bernie, Danny Craft of Bernie, Robert Craft of Bernie, Mike Craft of Kennett, and Keith Craft of Dexter; by five daughters, Linda Strickland of Puxico, Patricia Riddell of Malden, Marilyn Rushing of Dexter, Marlene Craft of Bernie, and Kayeela Sugg of Dexter; and by numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
A private, family-only, funeral service will be conducted at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Friday, April 17, 2020 with Rev. Callum Reavey officiating. Interment will follow in the Bethany Cemetery.
Funeral services may be viewed via webcast at mathisfuneralhomes.com or on the Mathis Funeral Home Facebook page. Expressions of sympathy honoring Mrs. Craft will be accepted at the funeral home.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is in charge of all arrangements.
Linda Patricia Montgomery, daughter of the late Vernon Carol Morgan and Alabee Crayne Morgan was born in Bernie, Missouri on March 28, 1956 and departed this life at her home in Bernie, Missouri on April 14, 2020 at the age of 64.
Ms. Montgomery had worked at Arvin, was a homemaker and a member of Word of Faith Family Church of Bernie.
Survivors include one son, Freddie Montgomery & wife Kristen of Crossville, Tn; by Six Daughters, Nicole “Nikki” Brock & husband Mike of Bernie, Mo, Lisa Taylor & husband Mark of Dexter, Mo, Theresa Perry & husband Andy of Crossville, Tn, Amanda Montgomery & husband Terrance of Paducah, Ky, Tina Byrd & husband Tim of Crossville, Tn and Bethany Montgomery & husband Perry of Mayfield, Ky; by three brothers, Butch Morgan and Paul Morgan both of Bernie, Mo and Dale Morgan of Dexter, Mo; by one sister, Wendy Fisher of Searcy, Ar; by seventeen grandchildren; Brett Montgomery, Brittany Gann, Kyle Perry, Drew Montgomery, Madison Perry, Haley Taylor, Breanna Payne, Kayleigh Taylor, Abigail Taylor, Gracie Brock, Madison Stephens, Easton Walker, Eryn Brock, Dillion Brock, Bryson Hadley, Michael Brock and Arya Harris; also by other relatives and many friends.
She was preceded in death other than by her parents, by three sisters, Carolyn Moore, Harlene Wyatt and Barb Moore.
A private, family only, graveside service will be conducted at Bernie Cemetery. Expressions of sympathy will be accepted at the Cemetery. Mathis Funeral Home in Bernie is in charge of all arrangements.
Thomas Eldon Cooper Jr., son of the late Eldon T. Cooper and Georgia Bailey Cooper, was born on July 11, 1944 in Dexter, Missouri and departed this life on April 13, 2020 at Southeast Health in Cape Girardeau, Missouri at the age of 75 years.
Mr. Cooper was the former owner of Cooper and Sons Auto Sales and resident of Dexter. He enjoyed watching the Dexter Bearcat volleyball and basketball teams play ball.
He was united in marriage to Linda Grimes on August 11, 2001 in Dexter. Mrs. Cooper survives of their home in Dexter.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his daughter, Rhonda Robinson and husband Mark of Vero Beach, Florida; by two grandsons, John Luke Robinson of Sarasota, Florida and Jacob Mark Robinson of Bradenton, Florida; by his sister Marilyn Brown of Columbia, South Carolina; by his step-daughter, Buffie Wolfe and husband Nelson of Manchester, Tennessee; by two step-sons, Scott Ballard and wife Jeanette of Jacksonville, Florida and Jesse Schooley and wife Melisha of Bernie, Missouri; by twelve step-grandchildren; and by four step-great-grandchildren.
Other than by his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Georgia Sue Cooper.
A graveside service will be planned for a later date with Rev. Gary Cooper officiating.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is in charge of all arrangements.
