James Larry Thompson, son of the late Ira V. Thompson and Joy G. Neeley Johnson, was born on March 2, 1945, in Memphis, Tennessee, and departed this life on October 8, 2023, at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri, at the age of 78 years.
Mr. Thompson lived a life of public service as a Veteran of the Missouri National Guard, a former trooper with the Missouri State Highway Patrol, a former Missouri State Fire Marshal, and a retired criminal justice instructor with Three Rivers Community College. He was a member of the First Christian Church Disciples of Christ in Dexter, Missouri, and a resident of Dexter. Thompson served on the Regional Healthcare Foundation Board of Directors, the Dexter Municipal Airport Board of Directors, and the Dexter Public Safety Board of Communications.
He also enjoyed being a part of the Experimental Aircraft Association. He was a Volunteer Emergency Operations Officer and used the US Army’s (MARS) Community truck. His other pastimes involved duck hunting, HAM radios, flying, and helping municipalities with their radio systems. In Vaughn Wright’s later years, he also assisted Vaughn in officiating funerals.
On July 8, 1967, in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, he was united in marriage to Martha Ann “Marty” Stanley. Mrs. Thompson preceded him in death on December 13, 2021.
He is survived by his son, Jon Thompson, and wife Deidre of Dexter, Missouri, by his daughter, Stephanie Maintz, and husband Scott of Jackson, Missouri; and by three grandchildren, Mattie Thompson, Preston Thompson, and Ann Marie Long.
Visitation will be held at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Thursday, October 12, 2023, from 12:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. Funeral services will then be conducted in the Mathis Funeral Home Chapel on Thursday, October 12, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. Interment will follow in Dexter Cemetery.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is assisting with arrangements.
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.
