Charles ‘Larry’ West Sanders, son of the late Charles E. West and Margaret M. ‘Peggy’ and J.W. Sanders, was born on April 7, 1941 in Hayti, Missouri, and passed away on February 5, 2021 at Southeast Health in Dexter, Missouri, at the age of 79 years.
Larry was united in marriage to Sharon ‘Kay’ Ratliff on May 23, 1965 in Piggott, Arkansas. They shared 55 wonderful years together and had two children together, Larry and Kristin.
Larry was a loving Husband, Father, Papa, Brother and Friend. He enjoyed spending time with this family, friends, and especially his grandchildren. He was an avid St. Louis Cardinal and Ole Miss Rebel fan. He loved history and researching genealogy.
He is survived by his wife Kay Sanders of Dexter, his two sisters Gay Lancaster of Boynton Beach, FL and Lea Carney and husband Joe of Hernando, MS, his son Larry Sanders of Dexter, daughter Kristin Sanders of Essex and two grandchildren, Kenton Sanders of Gordonville, MO and Abbey Ellis and her husband Jaycob of Dexter. And a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, John Sanders.
Funeral services were held Monday, February 8, 2021 at 12 pm, in the John W. German Funeral Home Chapel in Hayti, MO with Richard Wilbanks officiating.
Interment was in Woodlawn Cemetery in Hayti. Pallbearers were: Richard Wilbanks, Jaycob Ellis, Kenton Sanders, Houston Ruff, Dub Pate, Bobby and Brian Irions.
Ellen Marie Rainwater Lowe, 89, passed away on February 11, 2021 in Oxford, Mississippi.
Ellen was born on March 26, 1931 in Allenville, Missouri to the late Hiram W. and Marie Lee (Polly) Smith. She was married to Thomas L. Rainwater in Piggott, Arkansas, who passed away on August 25, 1968. She married Estol Lee Lowe on August 23, 1969 in Festus, Missouri. Estol preceded her in death on July 18, 2010. Ellen was a devout Christian and spent her life in service of others. She became the first "door greeter" at Wal-Mart where she worked nearly 18 years spreading kindness to all those who crossed her path. She was a life time member of the Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary, Chapter 47 of Dexter, MO., where she served as Commander for many years. In her free time she volunteered at the Poplar Bluff VA Hospital and enjoyed collecting countless antiques. She was an avid yard seller and attended auctions with her friends and family. Ellen was the original founder of the "100-Mile Yard Sale" which takes place Memorial weekend each year, attracting thousands of people between Jackson and Kennett, MO. The event still takes place annually and has continued to grow in popularity.
Ellen was truly dedicated to her family and loved being a mother, sister, grandmother and great grandmother. She is survived by her children and their spouses, Thomas and Theresa Rainwater of Haines City, Florida and Barbara and Jim Link of Water Valley, Mississippi. Additionally, she is survived by her grandchildren and their spouses, Richard and Margo Link, Tonya and Michael Covington, Sonya and Ross Bjork, Laura Hobbs, Bryan Rainwater and Amy Calice.
Ellen is also survived by her sister and her husband Margaret and Clyde Mier (Dexter, Missouri); her sister and her husband Esther and Kenny Cook (Jackson, Missouri); her brother Hiram E. Smith (Marion, Arkansas); as well as eleven great grandchildren and three great great grandchildren.
Besides her mother and father, she was preceded in death by her sister Doris Smith and her brothers John, James and Bobby Smith.
Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. on Monday, February 22, 2021 at Watkins and Sons Funeral Home followed by a service and burial.
Ellen will be laid to rest with her beloved husband Estol Lowe at the Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield, Missouri.
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Carl Steven “Steve” Lewis, met his Heavenly Father at the age of 65 on Friday, February 12, 2021 at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Steve was born January 6, 1956 in Sikeston, Missouri, to Carlton and Jane (Rowland) Lewis. He met the love of his life, Debbie Lowrey, while attending Parma High School. They were married August 19, 1977. Debbie preceded him in death, passing in May of 2018. Steve grieved for her deeply until his passing.
In his younger years, Steve worked along-side his father and grandfather building homes. He was also an EMT. He worked for 19 years at Murray Guard, the security company for Noranda Aluminum, working his way up to the rank of Captain. Together with Debbie, Steve owned a successful Arts and Crafts business. Steve ended his working career owning his own water and wastewater contract company. He contracted with many water districts throughout the bootheel: Hayti Heights, Parma, Risco, Wardell, Steele, Hornersville, Cardwell, Lilbourn, and Rural Dexter. Steve joined the Missouri Waste Water Conference in 2009. In 2012, he was named the Southeast Section Water Operator of the year. He served as MWWC’s Southeast Section Representative to the state board from 2012-2016. He also served as an executive board member from 2017-present. Steve was currently MWWC’s chairman elect.
Steve attended the Parma General Baptist Church through his childhood and teenage years. After his marriage, he attended Parma First Baptist Church until his move to Dexter. At the time of his death, he attended and was a member of Dexter First Baptist Church.
In his spare time, Steve loved to watch his grandkids in their extracurricular activities, watch St Louis Cardinals Baseball, reading, work Crossword puzzles, and was interested in History, especially his family history. He enjoyed meeting new people and making new friends wherever he went. He enjoyed his morning coffee conversations with friends whether sitting on Bob Coffey’s front porch or at Rhodes.
Surviving family include his mother, Jane Campbell; one daughter, Heather Lewis; one son, Matthew (Jennifer) Lewis; two sisters, Sherry (Ronnie) Bess and Marla (Terry) Blankenship; four grandchildren, Nate Lewis, Carli Lewis, Drew Ryan, and Delaney Ryan; one uncle, Danny Rowland; two aunts, Shirley Corn and Jeanette Ludwig; mother-in-law, Betty Lowrey; sister-in-law, Lisa Dockins; brother-in-law, David (Kerri) Lowrey; one step-sister Robin (Alan) Ford; one step-brother, Allen (Tena) Campbell; four nieces, Melissa (Ricky) Smith, Tori (Blake) Keasler, Hunter Dockins and Hannah Dockins; two nephews, Brandon (Staci) Blankenship and Bobby Lee (Kelsey) Lowrey; many great nieces and nephews, cousins, and friends.
Other than his wife, Debbie, he was preceded in death by his father, Carlton Lewis; Grandson, Breyn Lewis; father-in-law, Bob Lowrey; step-father, AB Campbell; grandparents, one aunt and uncles.
Visitation will be held at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Saturday, February 20, 2021 from 12:30 p.m. until 2:00 p.m.
Funeral services will then be conducted in the Mathis Funeral Chapel on Saturday, February 20, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Mark Smith officiating.
Interment will follow in the Bernie Cemetery.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is in charge of arrangements.
Truman Dale Christian, son of the late Chlora Lemons Christian and Truman Christian was born on September 25, 1945 in Dexter, Missouri and departed this life on February 10, 2021 at the Crowley Ridge Care Center in Dexter at the age of 75.
Dale was a former hospital administrator and had also worked in crisis counselling and social work. He was a licensed minister and was of the Methodist faith.
He is survived by one son, Matthew Christian of Kennett, Missouri; by two brothers, Jerry Christian and wife Ann of Columbia, Missouri and Gary Don Christian and wife Patty of Dexter, Missouri; by one granddaughter, Chloe Christian of Bentonville, Arkansas and by extended family and friends.
Besides his parents he was preceded in death by two sons, Mark and Brad Christian and by one brother in infancy, James Christian.
Visitation will be conducted on Saturday, February 20, 2021 from 9:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. at the Mathis Funeral Chapel in Dexter.
Funeral services will then be conducted on Saturday, February 20, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. in the Mathis Funeral Chapel in Dexter, Missouri.
Interment will follow at the Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Paragould, Arkansas.
Lucille Smothers Quinn was born July 1, 1918, in a sawmill community named Broadwater east of Malden, Missouri, the daughter of Marion “Jack” Smothers and Gretta Parker Smothers. Lucille passed away at the home of her daughter on February 4, 2021 at the age of 102.
Lucille grew up in the Bernie area of Southeast Missouri and attended Dickerson School. She married Goldie Teddy Quinn in Piggott, Arkansas, on February 12, 1938. He preceded her in death on April 27, 1980. She was a homemaker and enjoyed sewing, reading, and walking for her health.
Other than her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her son, Charles “Chuck” Quinn; four brothers, Elvin Smothers, Leon Smothers, Edward “Bus” Smothers and Bill Smothers; four sisters, Madge Smothers, Adell Crabtree, Mary Ruth Christ and Helen “Tudy” Smothers and son-in-law, Jarrett Venable.
Surviving her is her son, Jerry (Linda) Quinn of Dexter, Missouri, and her daughter, Ranea Venable of Aurora, Missouri; four grandchildren, Theresa Childers of Branson, Missouri, Colby (Kelly) Quinn and Camie (Steve) Jelinik all of Dexter, Missouri, and Stacey (Tim) Curran of The Woodlands, Texas; 11 great- grandchildren and five great-great grandchildren; four step grandchildren, Lance (Lahni) Venable, of Richland Hills, Texas, John (Heidi) Venable, of Las Vegas, Nevada, Leann Sandoval (Joe Radon) of Aurora, Missouri and Bill Fullerton of Highlandville, Missouri and seven step great-grandchildren.
A private graveside service, under the direction of the Crafton-Cantrell Funeral Home in Aurora, Missouri, will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Monday, February 8, 2021, at the Bernie Cemetery in Bernie, Missouri.
Memorial donations may be made payable to the Stoddard County Children’s Home, PO Box 164 Dexter, Missouri, or a charity of the donor’s choice.
Online condolences may be shared at this website.
