Kyle Smith, son of Connie Coleman Smith of Dexter, Missouri, and the late John G. Smith, was born on September 18, 1969, in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, and departed this life on March 12, 2022, in Springfield, Missouri, at the age of 52 years.
Kyle was the Sports Editor for the Dexter Statesman in Dexter, Missouri, and a resident of Dexter.
Kyle loved his job and the people he worked with.
On December 10, 2005, in Schell City, Missouri, he was united in marriage to Denise Bachand. Mrs. Smith preceded him in death on August 4, 2016.
He is survived by his mother, Connie Smith of Dexter; and many friends.
No services are planned.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is assisting with arrangements.
Wanda Mae Lemons, daughter of the late Arthur J. McDaniel and Ada Meeks McDaniel was born on September 3, 1932 in Dexter, Missouri and departed this life on March 13, 2022 at her residence in Dexter, Missouri at the age of 89 years.
Ms. Lemons had worked at Elders Manufacturing and International Hat factory in Dexter. She was a member of the Second General Baptist Church in Dexter.
On August 25, 1949 in Piggott, Arkansas she was united in marriage to Leonard L. Lemons. Mr. Lemons preceded her in death on November 16, 1999.
She is survived by one son; Stewart Lemons (Connie) of Dexter, one daughter; Patty Hobbs (Mike) of Dexter, two grandchildren; Michael (Sonja) Hobbs and Lesley Hobbs Essex (Ryan), by one great- grandchild; Brant Hobbs.
Other than by her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by one son; Stanley Lemons, two brothers; Harvey McDaniel, and Lyndel McDaniel; by two sisters; Velma Hanks and Gertrude Elledge.
No services are currently planned at this time.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is assisting with arrangements.
Clara Belle Bagby, daughter of the late Ambrose Franklin Stoker and Ora Bea Morris Stoker, was born on September 12, 1936, in rural Dexter, Missouri, and departed this life on March 12, 2022, at Cypress Point Skilled Nursing in Dexter, Missouri, at the age of 85 years.
Mrs. Bagby graduated from Dexter High School in 1954. She had worked for the American Pulverizer Co. in St. Louis, Missouri, she was a former secretary for MFA in Columbia, Missouri and a former business administrator for Bagby Brokerage, Inc. in Dexter, Missouri from 1986 to 2000.
Clara was a member of the First Baptist Church in Parma, Missouri, and the New Beginnings Sunday School Class at First Baptist Church in Dexter. She was a member of the Eastern Star and the Walker Chapter of the University of Missouri Home Extension Club. She was also a former Cub Scout Leader and Girl Scout Leader. She enjoyed taking art classes and painting ceramics.
On December 22, 1955, in Dexter, Missouri, she was united in marriage to Jerry Bagby. While Jerry was in the service, they lived in Sherman, Texas and Panama City, Florida, returning to Southeast Missouri in 1960. Clara and Jerry enjoyed traveling to many places including Alaska, Monte Carlo, Ireland, London England, Scotland, Belgium, Holland, Germany, and France. They took ten trips to the Caribbean and the Panama Canal.
She is survived by her husband, Jerry Bagby of their home in Dexter; by her son, Mike Bagby and wife Cathy of Dexter; by her daughter, Carla Driver of Dexter; by three grandchildren, Britney Sweeney and husband Adam, Ryan Bagby, and Cody Driver; and by two great-grandchildren, Gwendolyn Sweeney and Killian Sweeney.
Other than by her parents, she was preceded in death by five brothers, Lester Stoker, Toy Stoker, Lloyd Ambrose, Leon Stoker, and Franklin Stoker; by five sisters, Noma Glenn, Pearl Volkerding, Ruby Shipman, Helen Shipman, and Norma Gough; and by her grandson, Kyle Bagby.
Visitation will be held at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Thursday, March 17, 2022, from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Funeral services will then be conducted in the Mathis Funeral Home Chapel on Thursday, March 17, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Don Kennedy officiating.
Internment will follow in the Dexter Cemetery.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is assisting with arrangements.
Barbara JoAnn Crutchley Roberts, daughter of the late Joseph Michael Swatzell and Louella White Swatzell was born on January 19, 1931 in Bernie, Missouri and departed this life on March 12, 2022 at the Southeast Health of Cape Girardeau, Missouri at the age of 91.
Mrs. Roberts had worked at Elders Manufacturing in Dexter and was a member of Risen Church. She was a resident of Dexter.
She was first united in marriage to Robert Crutchley on July 17, 1948 in Chicago, Illinois. Mr. Crutchley preceded her in death on April 4, 1997. Later, she was united in marriage to Carl Roberts in October of 1998. Mr. Roberts preceded her in death in 2010.
She is survived by one son, Joel Crutchley and wife Sheila of Cape Girardeau, Missouri; by one daughter, Sudy Somerville and husband Dave of Knoxville, Tennessee; by two grandsons, Jeremy Somerville and Nicholas Somerville; by one great-granddaughter, Emily Somerville; by three step grandchildren, Cory Grojean, Jason Grojean and Randy Grojean; by four step great-grandchildren, Emily Grojean, Allie Grojean, Lexie Grojean and Trustin Grojean; and by five step great-great-grandchildren.
Other than by her husbands and parents she was preceded in death by one grandchild, Jason Somerville; by one brother, James Edward Swatzell; and by three sisters, Betty Parrish, Maxine Taylor and Verneil Barr.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, March 15, 2022 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter.
Funeral services will be conducted on Wednesday, March 16, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at Risen Church in Dexter, Missouri with Rev. Travis Lambert officiating.
Interment will follow at the Chalk Bluff Cemetery.
Carolyn Joan (Welborn) Montgomery was born in Bloomfield, Missouri on January 29, 1933 to Raymond Welborn and Myrtle (Lemley) Welborn. The youngest of six children, she grew up on a small farm with her siblings Rex, Wayne Olin, Polly, Patty, and Betty. At age 15, Carolyn met the love of her life, Breman Lafayette Montgomery. Breman asked Carolyn to help set him up on a date with a mutual friend, to which she precariously replied “no, but I’ll go out with you.” They went to the local soda shop and began a relationship that would span the next 64 years. Carolyn and Breman married in Piggott, Arkansas in 1949 and moved to Dexter, Missouri that same year. Together, they welcomed and raised three children, Gayle Joyce, Steven Randall “Randy”, and Stanley Keith. Carolyn spoke fondly of those early years, sharing how she loved to dote on her children and playfully tease her beloved husband. Carolyn worked many jobs, including at a hat factory, to help support her family. She yearned for more professionally and joined Gayle as a freshman at Southeast Missouri State University in 1968. She went on to earn a Bachelors Degree in Science Education and a Masters Degree in Education, finishing at the top of her class. She spent nearly thirty years teaching in Dexter Public Schools, where she fulfilled her passion of educating and investing in Dexter’s children. After her retirement in 1994, Carolyn loved seeing her former students and fellow teachers around town.
Carolyn and Breman purchased their dream home in Glenwood Hills Estates in 1982. Carolyn enjoyed listening to music and gardening, for which she was honored to win Dexter’s Yard of the Month several times. The Montgomery home was a lively and joyful space, filled with family, friends, food, and the artwork of her beloved sister, Betty, and daughter, Gayle. In her retirement, Carolyn loved taking trips with Breman and their friends, wintering in Florida, putting on skits with her sisters at Welborn Family Reunions in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, and spending time with her grandchildren, especially taking walks in the rain.
Carolyn Montgomery passed away peacefully at Cypress Point in Dexter on Wednesday, March 9th. She is predeceased in death by her parents and siblings; husband, Breman; son, Randy; and great-grandson, Albert Breman. She is survived by her children, Gayle and Stan; grandchildren, Seth, Stephen, Alison, Alex, Melanie, Erich, Andreas, and Laura; and numerous great-children. A special thanks is extended to her niece, Judy Nea, and her sitter, Berneda Hendley, who both spent many hours caring for Carolyn.
At her request there will be no memorial service. If anyone wishes to make a donation on her behalf, please donate to the Parkinson's Foundation or your charity of choice.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is assisting with arrangements.
