Velma Louise Moore Underwood Pierce, daughter of the late Perry Lee Moore and Edna Bell Young Moore, was born on October 23, 1932 in Birds Corner, Missouri, and departed this life on June 11, 2020 at her residence in Bloomfield, Missouri, at the age of 87 years.
Mrs. Pierce was employed at International Shoes in Dexter, where she cleaned shoes and applied adhesive to the soles of shoes. She was a former seamstress for Elder Manufacturing in Dexter, where she sewed hat rims and tied up work. She was a member of the First General Baptist Church in Bloomfield.
In April 1950, in Piggott, Arkansas, she was first united in marriage to Joseph Harrison Underwood. Joe preceded her in death on April 3, 1984. On September 15, 1985, she was then united in marriage to Fridis Pierce. Fridis preceded her in death on October 20, 2003.
She is survived by her daughter, Vicky Sue Hovis and husband Donnie of Bloomfield, by her son, Ricky Lee Underwood and wife Derenda of Dexter; by three grandchildren, Donnie Ray Hovis, Donnie Lynn Hovis Jr., and Ricky Joe Underwood and wife Jessica; by eleven great-grandchildren, Dylan Hovis of Puxico, Dustin Hovis and wife Katelan of Bloomfield, Logan Denkins of Dexter, Ricky Hovis and wife Madison of Puxico, Tiffany Hovis of Scott City, Jimmy Birkner of O’Fallon, Alexis Underwood, Tyler Underwood, Andy Hellman and wife Angela of Houghton, Iowa, Adam Hellman and wife Lisa of Jefferson City, and Ashley Norris and husband Jeremy of Iowa City, Iowa; by six great-great grandchildren, Easton Hovis, Ridge Hovis, Sawyer Norris, Sophia Hellman, Alesha Hellman, and Ayden Hellman; by her brother, Leoid Moore of Bloomfield; and by many other relatives and friends.
Besides her husbands and parents, she was preceded in death by three brothers, Eugene Moore, Roy Moore, and M C Moore, and by her sister, Margarete Darby.
Friends may call at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Monday, June 15, 2020 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Funeral services will then be conducted in the Mathis Funeral Chapel on Monday, June 15, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Ronnie Stevens and Rev. Jared Hancock officiating.
Interment will follow in Walker Cemetery in Bloomfield.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is in charge of all arrangements.
Treniss Jewel “T. J.” Evans, son of the late Thurman Evans and Lola Randolph Evans, was born on July 31, 1932 in Advance, Missouri, and departed this life on June 12, 2020 at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, Missouri at the age of 87 years.
Mr. Evans was a veteran serving in the Korean War. He was a former Missouri State Highway Patrolman, an insurance salesman, and a proud graduate of Advance High School. He was a member of Friendship Baptist Church in Dexter, Missouri, and a resident of Dexter.
He was united in marriage to Georgie Neal in May 1981 in Dexter, Missouri. Mrs. Evans survives of their home in Dexter.
In addition to his wife, Georgie, he is survived by two sons, Terry Evans and David Evans; by his daughter, Teresa Boresh; and by two beloved sisters, Jean and Eveline.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and by two sons, Treniss Evans Jr. and Denver Evans.
Graveside services will be conducted at Hagy Cemetery on Saturday, June 13, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. with Rev. Lonny Mittag officiating.
Kenneth “Coach” Walker, son of the late Floyd Walker and Audrey Fritts Walker, was born in Saginaw, Michigan on September 4, 1944 and departed this life at his residence in Holts Summit, Missouri on June 8, 2020 with his loving family by his side. Mr. Walker was 75.
Mr. Walker was a 1963 graduate of Bernie High School and went on to earn his Bachelors of Arts degree from Southwest Baptist College. After graduation he joined the United States Army and was a member of the 101st Airborne Division. He received 2 purple hearts, the bronze star, Army commendation medal and numerous citations.
Ken’s great passion and ‘true’ love was the game of basketball. He was a lifelong coach and enjoyed imparting his knowledge of sports with the younger generation. He was a faithful member of the YMCA and was known to stop his workout to assist a kid on their technique regardless of the sport. He was a loving father and grandfather and they will greatly miss his presence in their lives.
Survivors include one son, Meritt Evan Walker & wife Nancy of Columbia, Missouri; by one daughter, Kenna Rae Walker of Holts Summit, Missouri; by his ex-wife, Valerie Walker of Jefferson City, Missouri; by three sisters, Elaine Castro & husband Alejo, Ruth Ann Maderak and Vicky Sayers & husband Richard all of Bernie, Missouri; by four grandchildren, Kymber Walker, Tavis Walker, Evan Walker and Rhys Walker; by one great-granddaughter, Kailani Cooper. Also by other relatives and many friends.
He was preceded in death other than by his parents, by one brother, Floyd “Butchie” Walker; by one sister-in-law, Inez Walker and one brother-in-law, Gary Maderak.
Visitation to be held on Saturday June 13, 2020 at Houser-Millard Funeral Directors in Jefferson City, Missouri.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, June 20, 2020 at Mathis Funeral Home in Bernie, Missouri from 11:00 A.M. until 1:00 P.M. Full Military Honors will be held at 1:00 P.M. at Mathis Funeral Home in Bernie, Missouri.
Mathis Funeral Home of Bernie in charge of all arrangements.
Debbie Ann Spence, daughter of the late Frank Kirkpatrick and Doris Chandler Kirkpatrick, was born on January 25, 1957 in Elgin, Illinois, and departed this life on June 9, 2020 at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, Missouri at the age of 63 years.
Mrs. Spence was a former stocker for Walmart. She was a member of Landmark Pentecostal Church in Malden, Missouri and a resident of Dexter, Missouri.
She was united in marriage to Walter Spence on August 20, 1979 in Bloomfield, Missouri. Mr. Spence survives of their home in Dexter.
In addition to her husband, Walter, she is survived by her son, Jonathan Spence and wife Mica of Dexter; by her daughter, Heather Spence of Dexter; by three brothers, Butch Kirkpatrick and wife Dorinda of Toledo, Illinois, Doug Kirkpatrick and wife Debbie of Dexter, and Brian Kirkpatrick of Campbell; by two sister, Brenda Wilkerson and husband Jim of Bloomfield and Lois Kirkpatrick of McKinney, Texas; by four grandchildren, Hannah Spence, Makayla Spence, Michael Spence and Sara Spence; and by many nieces and nephews.
Graveside services will be conducted at Dexter Cemetery on Friday, June 12, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Leroy Young officiating.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is in charge of all arrangements.
On Sunday, June 7, 2020, Therma Launius, loving mother and grandmother, passed away peacefully at the age of 86 at Cypress Point Skilled Nursing in Dexter, Missouri.
Therma was born on August 14, 1933 in Stoddard County, Missouri to Uless and Virgie Harget. On August 24, 1972, she married John Launius to whom she was wed for 36 years.
Therma was a people person and one of her greatest joys was visiting with family and friends. She had a kind and compassionate spirit, and friends would say what a beautiful lady she was inside and out. She was also known for her quick wit, and when anyone would ask her how she was doing, she would smile and reply “mean as ever”! She greatly loved her family, friends and her caregivers at Cypress Point.
Therma was a fabulous cook and she would often share her gift with others by making and decorating cakes for family weddings and special occasions. She greatly enjoyed crocheting, making jewelry and creating wreaths. She never had idle hands and she was an avid reader. When her children were young, one of her favorite activities was taking them to the sand dunes in Albuquerque to hunt arrowheads on Sunday after Mass. She devoted much of her time and energy to her children where she was a Girl Scout leader and room mother for all 5 of her children.
She was blessed with a strong faith in God and was a member of Faith Lutheran Church in Dexter.
She was not afraid of hard work. She and her husband John raised cattle, and she could often be found right beside him at the head catcher for immunizations. She did like to “name” a few of her favorite cows, even though she knew they would be leaving at some point. Her husband John, lovingly called her “Big Red”, in reference to her big red hairdo. For many years, she worked as a waitress, where her welcoming personality and friendly smile made her a favorite among customers. She was also part owner of a Mexican restaurant in Bloomfield. One of the things she instilled in her children was to always be respectful and courteous to waitresses, and to tip well!
Her proudest accomplishments were being a good wife and mother. She was supportive of all her children, encouraging kindness and generosity. If her children or the grandkids needed her, she was always there for them with a smile and hug. She was fun to be around, always laughing and cutting up, and she will always be remembered as the most loving mother and grandmother. We will greatly miss her nightly calls, “Goodnight, I love you”.
In addition to her husband John and her parents, she was predeceased by two sons, James L. Webber, an infant and Jeffrey B. Webber; by her sister, Carolyn Blake and by two brothers, Bob Harget and Gary Harget.
She is survived by four daughters, Cathy (Gene) Kirby of Dexter, Mary (Bob) Armour of Poplar Bluff, Theresa Brown of Bernie, and Ann (Nelson) Berbling of Sikeston. As well as one son, Raymond L. Webber III of Bloomfield. She is also survived by twelve grandchildren, Shelly McMullin, Tina Wolfinger, Denise Brown, Dennis Brown Jr., Tara Webber, Matt Webber, Mandy Pratt, Katie Pratt, Mark Pratt, Jon Berbling, Neil Berbling, and Chris Berbling; by eighteen great-grandchildren; by six great-great-grandchildren; and by many nieces and nephews.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at Cypress Point for the wonderful care she received while residing there.
Visitation will be held at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Wednesday, June 10, 2020 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Funeral services will then be conducted in the Mathis Funeral Chapel on Wednesday, June 10, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. with Pastor Justin Sponaugle officiating. Interment will follow in the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield on Friday, June 12, 2020.
Memorials may be made to 18 Fore Life, c/o Scott Kruse, 705 Laurie Circle, Dexter, Missouri 63841 or Faith Lutheran Church, 1002 Saddle Spur Road, Dexter, Missouri 63841.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is in charge of all arrangements.
