Rev. Samuel Lynn Brotherton, 74, of Puxico, Missouri died Sunday, May 28, 2023 at his residence.
He was born January 26, 1949 in Cape Girardeau, MO to John H. and Vena Lou Brotherton.
Samuel was a truck driver by trade. He was also a member of the National Guard and after retirement pastored several churches. He was a member of Faith Baptist Church in Wappapello.
He is survived by his wife, three sons, Kevin (Traci) Brotherton, Greg Brotherton of Wappapello, MO., Robert (Shaw) Hudson of Prescott, Arizona, one daughter-in-law Teresa Brotherton of Wappapello, seven grandchildren, Ashley (Richard) Mallory and Carissa (Troy) Dempsey all of Wappapello, Levi Brotherton of of Delaware, Katlyn Brotherton of Blytheville, AR, John Brotherton of Wappapello, Gavin Brotherton of Jackson, MO and Hayden and Payson Hudson of Prescott, ten great-grandchildren, two brothers, Ted Brotherton of Jackson and Scott (Sandy) Brotherton, and one sister, Padge (John) Herman.
He was preceded in death by his parents and son, Reid Brotherton.
Visitation will be held Thursday, June 1, 2023 at 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. with funeral following at 1 p.m. at Ford & Riley Funeral Home in Patton, Missouri. Wayne Burchett will be officiating.
Donations can be made in Samuel's name to St. Jude Children's Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee.
Arrangements were under the care of Ford & Riley Funeral Home in Patton, Missouri.
Theresa Warren, daughter of Walter Vines Jr. and Wanita Riggins Brock, was born on September 17, 1962, in Sikeston, Missouri, and departed this life on May 22, 2023, at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri, at the age of 60 years.
Mrs. Warren was a cook for Boomland in Charleston, Missouri. She attended Lighthouse Christian Church in Dexter, Missouri, and was a resident of Essex, Missouri.
She is survived by her mother, Wanita Brock of Morehouse, Missouri; by her father and step-mother, Walter and Mary Vines of Wyatt, Missouri; by her son, Travis Ditto of Morehouse, Missouri; by her daughter, Misty Stephens of Essex, Missouri; by three brothers, Randy Vines of Sikeston, Missouri, Eric Vines of Morehouse, Missouri, and Chris Merryman of Portageville, Missouri; by her sister, Kim Meeks of Jackson, Missouri; and by her granddaughter, Makayla Williams.
She was preceded in death by her step-father, C.J. Brock.
Visitation will be held at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Tuesday, May 30, 2023, from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. A memorial service will then be conducted in the Mathis Funeral Home Chapel on Tuesday, May 30, 2023, at 3:00 p.m. with Bro. Sammy Riggins officiating.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is assisting with arrangements.
Alfred Gary Davis, son of the late Alfred James “A.J.” and Catherine Idell Metheny Davis, was born January 15, 1939 in Deventer, Missouri and departed this life on May 24, 2023 at St. Francis Medical Center.
He grew up on the family farm just a few miles outside of town and graduated from East Prairie High School in 1956. On November 29,1958, at the First Church of God in East Prairie, he married Barbara Joan Fennema Davis, who survives of the home. They had 64 wonderful years of marriage.
Over the years, Gary was involved with youth sports, the Nutrition Center, the East Prairie Museum, City Park Board, Boy Scouts, and the First Church of God. Starting with youth sports when his own children were young, he coached various levels of baseball teams. Not only did he serve as the coach of the teams, he was often found preparing the ball fields by dragging and lining them. He organized game schedules, umpires and referees, and even the concession stand. In 1978, he coached the 13-year-old Mississippi County All-Stars to a District Championship and to second place in the state play-offs. Even after his own children were grown, he continued to support the community sports teams as a member of the City Park Board. Establishing the budget and ordering materials were just part of his job. He organized sign-ups for various sports, watched over and helped to maintain the fields and equipment, and, generally, kept the parks running. There were times when he managed the fish in the pond and kept an eye on the visiting ducks and their eggs. Sometimes, he treated his wife, Barbara, to an ice cream and drove with her by the parks to just “check on things”. He was always a great supporter of the school teams and cheered the local kids on at football, basketball, and baseball games. They may not have realized it, but he was as proud of them as he could be and often worried and bragged on them as if they were his own. When his sons and nephews were in the Cub and Boy Scouts, he served as a troop leader. During those years, the troops attended a week-long camp and travelled to Washington, D.C.
Since retiring from a long career as a truck driver and owner-operator of Davis Express, LLC, he served on the Nutrition Center Board and worked with the town museum. He opened the museum to visitors and made sure it was in good condition. This allowed him to share his knowledge of our area and gave him the opportunity to learn even more about our local history from the visitors. He was also an active member of The First Church of God. His involvement included helping to build and remodel The Family Life Center, rolling Easter Eggs, serving church and funeral dinners and being an usher. He even acted in the church plays. Volunteering as one of Santa’s helpers by portraying Santa for several years for families, schools, organizations, and his church was another activity that he enjoyed. His love for children and bringing them joy was evident in how his eyes sparkled when he was their Santa.
Gary and Barbara have five children, Cyndi (Kevin)Maynard of East Prairie, Gary (Faydreia) Davis of Steele, Missouri, Pamela (David) Gilliland of Thayer, Missouri, Gregg (Liz) Davis of Louisville, Kentucky, and Darrin (Lynn) Davis of East Prairie. He is also survived by a granddaughter, Nikki Lichtenegger, and a special niece and nephew, Debbie (Willy) Wood, Jan (Melinda) Schramm, and Jon Schramm, that he helped to raise. They are also the proud grandparents of 20, great-grandparents of 20, and great-great-grandparents of 1. His only sister, Susie Hutcheson of East Prairie, also survives him.
PawPaw was always one of his grandchildren's biggest cheerleaders. He spent countless hours supporting them in all of their activities including flying to Arizona to see his youngest grandson play ball (and he hated flying)! When his travels became more limited, PawPaw loved to watch the photos of his family, mainly those of the great-grandchildren, sent to his Nixplay. He would always let us know what he loved about the new ones that were sent. As many of you may know, he had a talent for joke telling that would make you a bit cautious awaiting the ending, but always made you laugh; he could sing and dance the most special song for toddlers and small children, and he cooked the best french fries (no one can match them). His Big Breakfast for Christmas morning was simple but holds the most special memories for all of his family. What truly made him extra special was that he had the most precious heart for all those around him and his sense of humor was only out-shined by his smile and wonderful laugh and his love for his family and community. His final act of kindness to others was to donate to the Mid-America Transplant System of St. Louis.
Visitation will be held Friday June 2, 2023, at the First Church of God in East Prairie from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Funeral services will be conducted Saturday June 3, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at the First Church of God with Pastor Dawn Walters officiating. Interment will follow at Dogwood Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the First Church of God of East Prairie.
Mathis Funeral Home assisting with arrangements.
Shirley Ann Smyth, daughter of the late Dee Robinson and Grace Carter Robinson, was born October 23, 1936 in Knobel, Arkansas, and passed peacefully from her home in O’Fallon, Missouri, into her heavenly home on April 12, 2023.
Ann moved with her family to Dexter when she was a young girl, was a member of First Baptist Church, Dexter, and graduated from Dexter High School in 1954. She married Jimmie Lee Smyth of Dexter on November 6, 1955. The couple moved throughout the state, returning to Cape Girardeau in 1973 and retiring to Dexter in 1989.
Mrs. Smyth had a strong love for Jesus, family and friends. She had the gift of hospitality and there was always room for more to gather around her table. She was an active leader in her church and the activities of her children. Ann served with the Southeast Hospital Ladies Auxiliary and was a member of PEO. She worked as a secretary at the University of Missouri, Rolla and at St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Cape.
Ann is survived by two sons, Craig Smyth (Kristina) and Michael Smyth (Cecilia) both of St. Charles, Missouri; daughter Linda Smyth Simpkins (Jim) of Louisville, Kentucky; sister June Horton (John) of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; nine grandchildren, Tom Smyth, Kelli Smyth Barry (Shawn), Tim Lattimer (Jennifer), Courtney Simpkins, Shelby Simpkins Brainard (Max), Esteven Espinosa, Leann Smyth, Lisa Smyth and Jimmie Smyth; five great grandchildren, Abby Smyth, Lincoln and Emmerson Barry, and Miles and Jeremiah Lattimer.
Ann was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Jimmie Lee Smyth; sister, Mary Ellen Blankenship; and three brothers Tommy, Carter and Jim Robinson.
Donations in memory of Ann can be made to the First Christian Church, 224 Stoddard Street, Dexter, MO 63841
Visitation will be held at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter, Missouri, on Friday, May 26, 2023, at 10 a.m. prior to a memorial service at 11 a.m. with Rev Mike Williams officiating. Interment at the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield, Missouri, will follow.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is assisting with arrangements.
Charles Raymond Saunders Jr., son of Jackie Craelius Switzer of Lake Havasu City, Arizona, and the late Charles Saunders Sr., was born on August 21, 1957, in Olney Maryland, and departed this life on May 23, 2023, at his residence in Dexter, Missouri at the age of 65 years.
Mr. Saunders was a Veteran of the United States Army, serving in Vietnam, and he was a construction superintendent. He enjoyed geology, playing slot machines, drawing, and traveling.
On February 11, 2006, in La Plata, Maryland, he was united in marriage to Tara McAdams. Mrs. Saunders survives of their home in Dexter.
In addition to his wife and mother, he is survived by two sons, Christian Saario of Springville, California, and Jordan Saario of Dexter, Missouri; by two daughters, Sydney Saunders of Dexter, Missouri, and Riley “Buttercup” Bohac of Newburg, Maryland; and by his sister, Breann Bohac of Newburg, Maryland.
Other than by his father, he was preceded in death by his brother, Andrew Beaman.
No services are planned.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is assisting with arrangements.
