Stephen Paul Tucker, son of James Edward Tucker and the late Dorlus Lawrence Tucker, was born on February 16, 1964 in Braggadocio, Missouri, and departed this life on December 13, 2020 at the Southeast Health in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, at the age of 56 years.
Mr. Tucker worked as a carpet layer. He attended the Church of Christ in Pyletown and was a resident of Dexter.
He is survived by his father, James Tucker of Dexter, by two brothers, Jay Tucker and Richard Tucker both of Dexter; and by many nieces and nephews.
Graveside services will be conducted at Chalk Bluff Cemetery on Tuesday, December 15, 2020 at 2:00 p.m.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is in charge of all arrangements.
Howard Hill, son of the late Weldon E. Hill and Lois E. Almond Hill Russell was born December 3, 1936 in Pontiac, Michigan, and departed this life on December 13, 2020 at River Mist Assisted Living in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, at the age of 84.
On July 6, 1961, he was united in marriage to Carole Pillow in Malden, Missouri. Mrs. Hill preceded him in death on August 11, 2004.
He is survived by two daughters, Kristi Jones of Poplar Bluff; Angela Reynolds and husband, Alton of Poplar Bluff; five grandchildren, Cody Jones and fiancé, Nicole Frye of St. Louis; Jody Bess and husband, Chad of Bloomfield; Amy Battles and husband, Chris of Bloomfield; Darci Sneed and wife, Megan of Joplin; Tyler Reynolds of Bloomfield; eight great-grandchildren, Austin, Avvie, and Gracie Jones; Aubrey and Ryan Bess; Bryson and Kinsley Battles; Remington Sneed; and by a dear friend that he considered family, Dale Franklin.
Mr. Hill graduated from Southeast Missouri State University in 1959 with a bachelor’s degree in Agriculture and Biology. He then served in the National Guard.
Mr. Hill was a retired farmer and former resident of Dexter. He currently lived at River Mist Assisted Living in Poplar Bluff to be near his daughters.
Visitation will be held at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Thursday, December 17, 2020 from 12:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. Funeral services will immediately follow in the Mathis Funeral Chapel at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Joe Payne officiating. Interment will be in the Dexter City Cemetery.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is in charge of arrangements.
Melvyn Charles “Mel” Jones was born on July 11, 1945, in Coventry in Warwickshire, England, the son of the late Charles and Edith Jones. He died of complications from Covid-19 on Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020, at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau, Missouri at the age of 75.
Mel was an accomplished metallurgist, having first completed a course of study in Foundry Practice in 1966 at Coventry Technical College in Central England. Additionally, he earned advanced certification in Foundry Practice in 1968 from City & Guilds of London Institute and Certification of Distinction from the Bolton Institute of Technology.
In 1991, he was registered with The Engineering Council of England as an Incorporated Engineer, having attained membership in the acclaimed Institute of British Foundrymen.
He and his late wife, Jackie, married in August 1970. Together they had daughter, Melissa Jones. Jackie preceded him in death.
Mel was renowned in his field and within that realm, he traveled the world. Over the years, his business periodically brought him from his Taunton, England home to the United States, often in the capacity of consultant at Malden’s Federal Mogul plant. He eventually came to stay periodically at the Bed & Breakfast of Lynda Lovins of rural Dexter.
The two soon learned they had several similarities; he a widow, she a widower. They both loved to cook and to garden, to travel and to entertain. Their friendship grew into love, and in the fall of 2015, the two were wed in Dexter, Missouri, and the British gent pulled up his roots in England and made his home in America. Lynda Lovins-Jones survives at their rural Dexter home.
Mel Jones will be remembered for many things. In his youth, he was an accomplished rugby and badminton player, two competitive sports in Britain. He was accomplished at photography, gardening, woodworking, fishing, carpentry and sculpting.
He loved family, his beloved England, fine food, good conversation and the wonders of nature.
Mel claimed numerous awards at the highly competitive Taunton Flower Show for his numerous and varied talents, among them the coveted JC Spear Cup.
He applied his gardening and culinary skills locally, once he settled in the States and garnered the attention of an appreciative audience at the Keller Public Library and other Stoddard County venues.
Mel Jones will perhaps best be remembered as a gentleman and a friend. His friendship was cherished by a multitude of long-ago established acquaintances in his native land and an equal number of those founded since his arrival in the Dexter area.
A special group of friends, dubbed The OHRAS, included a group of 10 devoted companions who traveled to the mountains of northwest Arkansas twice annually to explore the hiking trails and all that nature had to offer in the region. Additionally, the friends gathered often to share the best of food and music. That group will continue, but will be forever altered.
Along with his wife, Lynda, and daughter, Melissa, of Plymouth, England, he is survived by a sister, Irene Whitehead (Dave) of Drimoleague, Ireland; a stepson, Damon Dowdy (Amy) of Cape Girardeau, Missouri; a stepdaughter, Dana Lovins (Randy) of Dexter; five step-grandchildren; and three great step-grandchildren, all of whom he considered family.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Jackie; a son who died at birth; and his sister, Janet.
Due to the Covid pandemic, there will be no formal service at this time. There will, however be a time of visitation at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Wednesday, December 16, 2020 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. There will be no graveside service, as the family has chosen cremation, allowing his ashes to be shared overseas.
A celebration, honoring the life of Mel Jones, will be announced at a later date, once the threat of the current pandemic has passed.
Memorials honoring Mel C. Jones may be made to the Keller Public Library, 402 West Grant Street, Dexter, Missouri 63841 or First United Methodist Church, PO Box 156, Dexter, Missouri 63841.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is in charge of arrangements.
James Kenneth Beacham, 81
It is with sadness we announce the passing of our beloved father. Known as Ken to his friends and Kenny to his family, he entered the world as the third child of George O. Beacham and Annie Lucille Wilson. He learned the ethic of hard work as he grew up on a farm with a brother, two sisters and nearby cousins. Later a third sister joined the family as he was finishing High School. He married the love of his life, Jerris Rhea Pelts in 1958, whom God called home 14 years ago.
They were blessed with four well-loved children who survive, Timothy Alan (Cathy) Memphis, TN, Scott Dean (Annette) Jacksonville, FL, Kenneth Wayne (Susan) Milan, TN and Jani Michelle Beacham (Jeff Scheutter) Nashville, TN. He is also survived by a brother Verlan (Hazel) Bernie, MO and three sisters, Mary Frances Farmer (Donald) Bernie, MO, Jeanice Tanner (Dale) Williamsville, MO, Andrea Beacham (Larry Loeppke) Alicante, Spain, 6 grandchildren Christopher Miller, Kelli Beacham, Brett Beacham, Katie Beacham, Peyton Beacham, Sara Beacham, and 3 great-grandchildren. He is also predeceased by wife Betty Peevyhouse.
He met thousands of people as a greeter at Englewood Baptist Church for over 30 years. He loved to hunt and fish in his youth and early adulthood. He always wanted to be busy making something out of a pile of components, or making something better by repair or restoration. In his “retirement” years, he made wooden clocks of various designs. He loved to use American hardwoods and made forays into the countryside in search of small sawmills to select the finest stock. He was known for a warm smile and greeting, whether at the grocery or in line somewhere. Even in retirement, Dad worked part-time with those he considered his extended family at West Tennessee Bone & Joint. He managed to squeeze in a few minutes to drive the back roads of Madison County with the top down in his red convertible.
Like so many other families in 2020, and in consideration for the health of those he counted as friends and extended family, we will conduct a small service for family-only with a livestream for those that cannot attend (see funeral home website for details). Additionally, friends may wish to participate in a “drive-through” celebration under the portico at George A. Smith and Sons Funeral Home, 2812 North Highland, Jackson. Please line up beginning 3 PM, Tuesday, December 15, 2020. Private interment service in Dunklin Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, you may honor Dad with a donation to the charity of your choice.
Patricia S. Adkins, daughter of the late Edgar Palmer and Pearl Swan Palmer, was born on November 22 1954 in Bernie, Missouri, and departed this life on December 10, 2020 at her residence in Dexter, Missouri.
Mrs. Adkins was a former graphic artist for Craftmasters' in Sikeston and BA Promotions in Dexter. She attended the First Church of God in Dexter.
On December 28, 1974, in Bernie, Missouri, she was united in married to Kenneth Adkins, whom she loved and adored. Mr. Adkins preceded her in death on May 27, 2017.
Patty was a friendly, vibrant, and caring person who loved people. She loved playing board games, jigsaw puzzles, word games and family get togethers, but most of all she loved telling others about God's love and blessings on her life.
She is survived by her daughter, Kendra Cornman and husband Robert of Poplar Bluff; by four brothers, Michael Gerald Palmer of Crestwood, Theron Ray Palmer of Sikeston, Roger Dean Palmer of High Ridge, and Douglas Arnold Palmer of Jackson; by two sisters, Ann Audette Bratburg of Farmington and Mary Kay McGhee of Dexter; and by numerous nieces and nephews, other family members and dear friends.
Besides her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her brother Brian Kent Palmer, and by two sisters, Sheryl Arlene Dinkins and Donna Gaye Botsch.
Visitation will be held at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Monday, December 14, 2020 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Funeral services will then be conducted Tuesday, December 15, 2020 at 10:30 am with Rev. Leonard Madigan officiating. Interment will follow in Bernie Cemetery.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is in charge of arrangements.
