As Christians, we know we should obey the Lord, because the Bible is filled with commands to do so. But not all obedience is equal, as every parent can testify. Out of love, some children willingly do what they are told, whereas others comply while filled with anger and resentment.
Jesus pointed out the correct motivation when He said, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word” (John 14:23). It’s our love for Christ that should fuel our obedience. In fact, the only reason we can love Him is because God first loved us (1 John 4:19). And here’s how much the Father cared about us, even before we had any interest in pleasing Him: He sent His Son to bear our sins and die in our place so that we could be forgiven. And when we receive Christ by faith, God pours His love into our heart through His Holy Spirit (Rom. 5:5).
God’s love for us and our resulting love for Christ compel us to obey Him in all things. Instead of trying harder to comply, perhaps we should ask God to give us more love for Christ—because the more we love Him, the better we can follow His voice.
Bruce Vancil, son of Doran Vancil and Wanda Jones Vancil of Dexter, Missouri, was born on December 8, 1955 in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, and departed this life on November 14, 2020 at Southeast Health in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, at the age of 64 years.
Mr. Vancil founded Dexter Bar-B-Que in 1983, in Dexter, Missouri. Over the next 37 years he expanded the business and opened locations in Sikeston, Cape Girardeau, Poplar Bluff, Jackson and Farmington. He was a member of Life Church in Sikeston and a resident of Dexter.
On July 29, 1979, in Dexter, Missouri, he was united in marriage to Kathy Norman. Mrs. Vancil survives of their home in Dexter.
In addition to his wife Kathy and parents, Doran and Wanda, he is survived by his son, Matthew Vancil and wife Faith Ann of Dexter; and by his sister, Angela Jones and husband Don of Dexter.
He was preceded in death by two brothers, Wade Vancil and John Vancil.
Visitation will be held at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Monday, November 16, 2020 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.
Funeral services will then be conducted in the Mathis Funeral Chapel on Tuesday, November 17, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. with Rev. David Craig officiating.
Interment will follow in the Dexter Cemetery.
The Vancil family respectfully requests that everyone wear a mask.
Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38101
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is in charge of arrangements.
Louise Ayers, daughter of the late Henry Otto Roberts and Rhoda Samantha Flanigan Roberts, was born on February 16, 1937 in Lilbourn, Missouri, and departed this life on November 14, 2020 at Crowley Ridge Care Center in Dexter, Missouri, at the age of 83 years.
Mrs. Ayers and her husband were the former owners of the Bloomfield Drive Inn in Bloomfield, Missouri. She was a member of the Liberty Hill General Baptist Church in Aid and a resident of Dexter.
On October 30, 1953, in St. Louis, Missouri, she was united in marriage to Glen Ayers. Mrs. Ayers preceded her in death on November 28, 2016.
She is survived by two daughters, Sharon Ayers of Dexter and Glenda Fortner and husband Larry of Dexter; by two brothers, Frank Roberts and Darel Roberts; by six grandchildren, Chris Fortner and wife Crystal, David Fortner and wife Jodi, John Fortner and wife Evie, Lisa Childers and husband James, Cheryl Fortner, and Hannah Fortner; and by seven great-grandchildren, Levi Fortner, Chelsea Fortner, Taryn Fortner, Kamdyn Fortner, Breanna Childers, Isabella Childers, and Dayton Fortner.
Other than by her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by six brothers, Otto Roberts, Glen Roberts, Harold Roberts, Carl Lee Roberts, Johnnie Roberts, and Norman Roberts; and by three sisters, Geneva Hessling, Juanita Ohminus, and Betty Sue Chitwood.
Visitation will be held at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Wednesday, November 18, 2020 from 12:30 p.m. until 2:30 p.m.
Funeral services will then be conducted in the Mathis Funeral Chapel on Wednesday, November 18, 2020 at 2:30 p.m. with Rev. Joe Payne officiating.
Interment will follow in the Bloomfield Cemetery.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is in charge of arrangements.
Leoid Moore, son of the late Perry Moore and Edna Young Moore, was born on November 22, 1934 in Clines Island, Missouri, and departed this life on November 13, 2020 at his residence in Bloomfield, Missouri, at the age of 85 years.
Mr. Moore was the former owner of Moore’s Auto Body Shop.
Mr. Moore was united in marriage to Patsy Stoker and to this union three children were born. Mr. and Mrs. Moore divorced later in life.
He is survived by two sons, Terry Moore and wife Vicky of Dexter and David Moore of Dexter; by his daughter, Pamela Blocker and husband Bruce of Dexter; by one grandchild; by four great-grandchildren; and by a very special lady in his life, Margie Davis.
Other than by his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, M. C. Moore, Bob Moore, and Eugene Moore; and by two sisters, Margarete Darby and Velma Pierce.
Visitation will be held at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Sunday, November 15, 2020 from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m.
Funeral services will then be conducted in the Mathis Funeral Chapel on Sunday, November 15, 2020 at 2:00 p.m.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is in charge of arrangements.
Mary Ellen Roach, daughter of the late Freeman Fetters and Ellen Holden Fetters, was born on September 25, 1944 in Sikeston, Missouri, and departed this life on November 12, 2020 at Landmark Hospital in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, at the age of 76 years.
Mrs. Roach was a homemaker and a resident of Sikeston. She was a member of the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary in Sikeston.
On December 7, 1968, in Matthews, Missouri, she was united in marriage to Larry Roach. Mr. Roach survives of their home in Sikeston.
In addition to her husband Larry, she is survived by two daughters, Tammy Coleman of Sikeston and Lisa Head and husband Jeff of Sikeston; by her brother, David Fetters of Sikeston; by her sister, Anita Brown of Sikeston; by four grandchildren, Morgan Coleman, Bailey Coleman, Cody Pratt, and Nicholas Pratt; and by one great-grandson, Beau Pratt.
Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Larry Fetters and her sister, Martha McCoy.
A memorial service will be held at the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield on Thursday, November 19, 2020 at 1:00 p.m.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is in charge of arrangements.
