Charles Gaskins, son of the late Frank Gaskins and Pauline Pritchett Gaskins, was born on August 7, 1942, in Steele, Missouri, and departed this life on October 5, 2023, in Landmark Hospital in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, at the age of 81 years.
Mr. Gaskins was a veteran of the United States Navy. He had worked in construction and was a resident of Bloomfield, Missouri.
On July 20, 1985, in Bernie, Missouri, he was united in marriage to Shirley Ann Bolin. Mrs. Gaskins survives of their home in Bloomfield.
Along with his wife, he is survived by two sons, Charles Gaskins II of Bloomfield, Missouri, and Gary Gaskins of Granite City, Illinois; by two sisters, Debbie Asher of Eldon, Missouri, and Sherrie Yates of Bono, Arkansas, and by seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Other than by his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Frank Gaskins; and by three sisters, Joyce Sims, Gloria Ring, and Glenda Martin.
No services are planned.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is assisting with arrangements.
Marilyn Darlene Southerland of Moscow Mills, Missouri, the daughter of the late Andrew Bud and Eunez Goldie (Lasley) Pullum was born in Stoddard County, Missouri, on June 2, 1949, and passed from this life on October 4, 2023, at the age of 74 years.
Marilyn lived in the Southeast Missouri area the majority of her life. She also resided in Wentzville and Moscow Mills area. She loved spending time with family especially spoiling her grandchildren.
Marilyn married Larry Gene Southerland in Essex, Missouri, on July 14, 1968, and remained married until the time of his passing on July 18, 2019.
She is survived by two sons, Duke Southerland and Tony (Stacy) Pearman of Moscow Mills, Missouri; one brother, Hermann Pullum of Dexter, Missouri; one sister, Judy Riffley of Wright City, Missouri; two close personal friends, Jerry and Glenda; eight grandchildren and two great-grandchild; as well as a host of family and friends.
Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents; one daughter, Christina Jarrell; two brothers, Jeffery and Leonard Pullum; two sisters, Francis and Eunez.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, October 11, 2023, from 10:00 a.m until 12:00 p.m. at the Watkins and Sons Funeral Chapel In Dexter, Missouri, with the funeral service to follow with Sister Julie Jackson officiating.
Interment will follow at the Caroline Dowdy Cemetery in Dexter, Missouri, with Watkins And Sons Funeral Service of Dexter in charge of arrangements.
Debbie Lynn McAfee of Dexter, Missouri, the daughter of the late Ray Thomas Jones, Sr. and Mary Louise (Turner) Bonee was born in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, on July 12, 1980 and departed from this life on October 1, 2023, at the age of 43.
Debbie lived in the Southeast Missouri area her whole life and was of the Pentecostal Faith. She enjoyed watching murder mystery movies, television, and spending time with family and friends.
She is survived by fiancé, Jamie West of Dexter, Missouri; one son, Seth West of Dexter, Missouri; one daughter, Palyn West of Dexter, Missouri; two grandchildren; three brothers, Robert Johnson of Bernie, Missouri; Ray Thomas Jones, Jr. of Dexter, Missouri; Randy Lee Jones of Dexter, Missouri; three sisters, Brenda Faye Jones of Dexter, Missouri; Ann Marie Craver of Catron, Missouri; and Christy Gail Norman of Dexter, Missouri; two close personal nieces, Danielle Jones and Ashlee Williams; as well as a host of family and friends.
Debbie was preceded in death by her parents; two sons, Anthony and Alex McAfee; and one daughter, Torri Lee Green.
Visitation will be held on Friday, October 6, 2023, from 10:00 a.m. till 12:00 p.m. at the Watkins and Sons Funeral Chapel In Dexter, Missouri, with funeral service to follow with Pastor Charlie Lutes officiating with Watkins and Sons Funeral Service of Dexter in charge of arrangements.
Avery Henry Cookson of Puxico, Missouri, the son of the late James Lucas Howard and Francis Ilene (Greer) Cookson was born in Puxico, Missouri, on March 5, 1944, and passed from this life peacefully on September 27, 2023, at the age of 79 years.
Avery lived in the Southeast Missouri area a most of his life. Avery was of the Baptist Faith. He enjoyed riding motorcycle, attending car shows, and mechanic work but his true passion was restoring Vintage Automobiles.
Avery married Stephanie Michelle (Patrick) in Puxico, Missouri.
He is survived by his wife; one son, Jeremy Anthony Cookson of Puxico, Missouri; four daughters, Angela (Stanley) Schrader of Puxico Missouri; Kimberly (Mike) Zorich of St. Louis, Missouri; Mandy Spain of Puxico, Missouri; and April (David) Mayberry of Advance, Missouri; four sisters, Betty (Kenny) Wilfong of Whitewater, Missouri; Joanne Belcher of Dexter, Missouri; Christine (Bill) Pennington of Dexter, Missouri; and Julia (Ron) Null of Wappapello, Missouri; eleven grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; with one on the way as well as a host of family and friends.
Avery was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Avery Wayne Cookson; one brother, Donald Cookson and one sister, Francis Laverne Wilfong.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, September 30, 2023, from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. at the Watkins and Sons Funeral Chapel In Puxico, Missouri, with funeral service to follow with Reverend Ray Placher and Pastor Steve Jones officiating.
Interment will follow at the Brown Cemetery in Puxico, Missouri, with Watkins And Sons Funeral Service of Dexter in charge of arrangements.
Earl C. Williams, son of the late Rev. Earl Williams and Rubye Acord Williams was born on March 25, 1933 at Dexter and departed this life in the Crowley Ridge Care Center at Dexter on September 29, 2023 at the age of 90.
He was united in marriage to Doris Bland on April 12, 1952 at Piggott, Arkansas and to this union, three sons were born. Mrs. Williams preceded him in death on December 20, 2009.
Earl C. was the owner of Williams and Son Appliance Service and a member of the Risen Church in Dexter. He was an avid outdoorsman. According to his grandson, Travis, Earl C. was a character in his own right! He was clean cut, well dressed and polite to the point where everyone thought he was a city boy. However, he could outdoors the outdoorsiest folks. He and his best mate, Cleo, pretty much worked just to fund their adventures.
He had a map of Lake Wappapello that listed the date, weather, fish caught, etc. Anytime Travis wanted to go fishing, he would call Grandpa and asked where he needed to go. Earl C. would look at the weather and tell him if it was going to be a waste of time or tell him which cove to pull into and which “Old Stump” to cast by!
His eyes would light up when Travis would ask him about his “Old” trapping days and then they would tear up thinking all those poor Mink he had to rubber band to a log while rubbing the memories of scratched hands! Earl C. would giggle about all the money he made calling in ducks for all the “Big Wig” St. Louis City doctors!
Mr. Williams is survived by three sons, Dale Williams and wife Cissy of Oran, Wayne Williams and David Williams both of Dexter: by his sister, Judy Williams of North Carolina: by three grandchildren, Austin Williams, Travis Williams and Melissa Keller: by three great grandchildren, Ruby Keller, Jackson Williams and Rhyder Williams.
Friends may call at the Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Tuesday, October 3, 2023 from 10:00 A.M. until Noon. Funeral services will then be conducted at Noon with Rev. Travis Lambert officiating. Interment will follow in the Dexter Cemetery.
Mathis Funeral Home of Dexter in charge of arrangements.
