Clara Mae Goodman of Sikeston, Missouri, daughter of the late Finis Ray and Willie (Harris) Miller was born on April 20, 1927, in Parsons, Tennessee, and passed from this life on November 9, 2023, in Sikeston, Missouri, at the age of 96 years.
She was of the Baptist Faith.
Clara married the love of her life on July 11,1942 and remained married to him until the time of his passing in July of 1982.
She enjoyed gardening, canning and just being outside, she also enjoyed quilting, but of all she loved spendingtime with her children and grandchildren.
Clara is survived by two sons, James Goodman of McHenry, Illinois and Lonnie Ray Goodman of Arizona; one daughter, Dorothy Jenkins of Wisconsin; ten grandchildren; several great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; one close personal friend, Carol Clark; as well as a host of family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; one son, Wayne Goodman; one brother, James Miller; and one granddaughter, Delonnie.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, November 16, 2023, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m at the Watkins and Sons Funeral Home in Dexter, Missouri.
Funeral Services will follow at 1:00 p.m. with Pete Leija and Pastor Charlie Robertson of Bloomfield officiating with Watkins and Sons Funeral Home of Dexter, Missouri in charge of all arrangements.
Interment will follow at Garden Of Memories Cemetery in Sikeston, Missouri.
Shirley Ann Gaines, daughter of the late Odus K. Eubanks Sr. and Clarsa Mae (Simmons) Eubanks, was born on February 27, 1941, in Sikeston, Missouri, and departed this life on November 13, 2023, at her home in Branson, Missouri, surrounded by family.
Shirley was 14 years old when she met the love of her life. Loyd attended a service at her church one night and she told her best friend Doris “I’m going to marry that man!” And she did! On September 14,1957, when she was 16 and he was 17, she and Loyd Gaines were united in marriage in Dexter, Missouri. They cherished their love for each other and spent the next 66 years enjoying life to the fullest! Her happiest times and greatest accomplishments were raising her 4 children, and her husband! She cherished every moment spent with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Shirley enjoyed anything that involved being around people and serving others. Her love for people was manifested through her love for cooking and baking. She found no greater way to express her love for family and friends than to bake them a loaf of her homemade bread, a homemade pie or cake, or fixing a big meal to welcome every new person she met. Trying new recipes was her favorite hobby which led to her assisting with cooking classes at her church, cooking Wednesday night meals at church, helping Loyd to prepare full Thanksgiving dinners and fish fries for the Cornerstone group at church.
She loved new challenges and wasn’t afraid to take on anything. You might not know this about her, but she learned to read and write braille to be a teacher’s aide to an elementary blind student. She was a Tupperware manager for decades and loved teaching new recipes at each party. Loyd even helped her, much to her dismay, by providing comic relief at many of her parties!
When many folks in their late years would be slowing down, they were speeding down the highways on Loyd’s motorcycle! Shirley got tired of looking at the back of his helmet and at age 60 she got her own motorcycle license and Loyd built her a trike of her own so they could travel side by side. Through the years, they traveled through 49 states and 4 countries. After moving to Branson, they traded in the motorcycle life for night life! While many would be headed to bed on Friday night, you would catch Shirley and Loyd headed to the late show in Branson with the “Wild Bunch”, a rowdy bunch of friends.
Shirley was blessed by having many friends who loved her and enjoyed sharing life with her and Loyd. The many friends they have made through their church and neighborhood have become like family.
Her love for Jesus was apparent in everything she did! She devoted her life to Christian service including teaching Sunday School, teaching the Bible to children and youth through bible quizzing and VBS, participating in mission trips and organizing fellowship events. She was a member of First Baptist Church in Dexter, Missouri for many years. In 2013, she and Loyd took on a new adventure and moved to Branson, Missouri, where they joined First Baptist Church of Branson.
In addition to her husband, she is survived by three daughters, Paula (David) Duley of Dexter, MO, Kimelyn Hyslop of Houston, TX, and Tammy (Ronnie) Turner of Dexter, MO; by one son, Michael (Kim)
Gaines of Clever, MO; by two brothers, Bob Eubanks of Harrison, AR, and Gene Gadberry of DesArc, MO; by 9 grandchildren, Brent (Jenn) Ely, Jeffrey (Michelle) Samoska, Stephanie (Allen) Farmer, Joshua
(Zona) Gaines, Sean (Cherlynn) Hyslop, Brandon (Molly) Hyslop, Blaine (Caitlyn) Jones, Tyler (Harley) Jones, Belle Victoria Gaines; and 8 great-grandchildren, Chloe, Sheldon, Kaydee, Layken, lsabella, Amia, Hans, and Zoey; and many nieces and nephews.
Other than by her parents, she was preceded in death by eight brothers, Dr. Odus K. Eubanks Jr., Edward “Edd” Eubanks, Jerry Eubanks, Cecil Gadberry, Tommy Eubanks, Argus Eubanks, Odus K. Eubanks Jr, and
Robert K. Eubanks; and by four sisters, Ruby Moore, Imogene Mackey, Stella Powell, and Edna Ruth Eubanks.
Visitation is from 12:00pm to 2:00pm, Friday, November 17, 2023 at First Baptist Church of Branson, Missouri. Funeral Services will begin at 2:00pm following the visitation. Burial will take place Saturday, November 18, 2023 at 2:00pm at Dexter Cemetery in Dexter, Missouri so friends and family from the area are encouraged to attend.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to St. Judes Childrens Hospital at 501 St. Jude Place in Memphis, TN 38105 or by phone at 1(800) 805-5856.
Randy Lee Steward, son of the late Joe Ellis Steward and Maxine Dennington Steward, was born on May 23, 1957, in Dexter, Missouri, and departed this life on November 7, 2023, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, at the age of 66 years.
Mr. Steward was an over-the-road truck driver and a resident of Essex, Missouri. He enjoyed riding motorcycles, and he loved his wife, children, and grandchildren.
On September 12, 1987, in Dexter, Missouri, he was united in marriage to Kathy Moore. Mrs. Steward survives of their home in Essex.
Along with his wife, he is survived by his daughter, Amanda Steward of Campbell, Missouri, by his step-daughter, Dana Pope of Sikeston, Missouri; by his step-son, Robert Pope of Dexter, Missouri; by two brothers, Terry Steward of Adairsville, Georgia and Gary Don Steward of Farmington, Missouri; by three sisters, Fay Loyd of Malden, Missouri, Sheila Wilson of Shannon, Georgia, and Angela Vannasdale of Parma, Missouri; and by ten grandchildren.
Visitation will be held at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Saturday, November 11, 2023, from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. A memorial service will then be conducted in the Mathis Funeral Home Chapel on Saturday, November 11, 2023, at 1:00 p.m.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is assisting with arrangements.
Geraldine Lavern Hill of Puxico, Missouri, the daughter of the late Walter Alexander and Edna Rebecca (Tanner) Bennett was born in Puxico, Missouri, on October 13, 1929, and passed from this life peacefully on November 3, 2023, at the age of 94 years.
She lived in the Southeast Missouri area the majority of her life, but also lived in Illinois. She was of the Baptist Faith, and a member of The Eastern Star. She loved being a homemaker, crafting, coloring, playing card and board games, spending time with family spoiling her grandchildren.
Geraldine married the love of her life, Lyle Francis Hill in Puxico and remained married 63 years until his passing on April 21, 2010.
She is survived by one daughter Linda McDannald of Puxico; two brothers, Paul (Mary) Bennett of Ozark, Mo; Tom Bennett of Joplin, Mo; three grandchildren, Tracy (Danny) Akin of Locust Grove, Ga; John (Susan) Rogers of Gordonville, Mo; and Ricky (Dawn) Reum of Griffin, Ga; seven great-grandchildren, Brandy Akin, Kacey Grant, Annie Rogers,Shandi Rogers, Kattie Luttrell, Jessica Reum and Carsten Reum; nine great-great-grandchildren, Reece, Tysen, Rowan, Raelynn, Julianna, Isabella, Marterrio, Kyree and Maverick; many nieces, nephews as well as a host of family and friends.
Geraldine was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; one son, Lyle Randall Hill; one daughter, Brenda Cheryl Lantis; one great-granddaughter, Sarah Ruem.
Visitation will be held on Monday, November 13, 2023, from 12 p.m. till 2 p.m at the Watkins and Sons Funeral Chapel In Puxico, Missouri, with funeral service to follow with Pastor Kenneth Lambert of Puxico officiating.
Interment will follow at the Puxico Cemetery in Puxico, Missouri, with Watkins And Sons Funeral Service of Dexter in charge of arrangements.
Emet Riley Rushin of Bloomfield, Missouri, the son of the late Albert "Ab" and Dollie (Whitley} Rushin was born on July 7, 1937, in Bell City, Missouri, and went to be with the Lord on November 4, 2023, at his home in Bloomfield, surrounded by his loving sons at the age of 86.
Emet was of the Baptist Faith. He enjoyed hunting, bow and arrow and really enjoyed coon hunting as well as fishing. He loved spending time with family, especially spoiling his grandchildren.
Emet married Janet Levon (Burgess) on June 5, 1956, in Bloomfield, Missouri, and remained married until her passing in November 7, 2020, being married for 64 years.
He is survived by four sons, Steve Rushin of Bloomfield; Tony Rushin of Dexter; Jeff and wife, Kim Rushin of Bloomfield; and Mike Rushin of Anna, Illinois; one special grandson that he raised since an infant, Colin Jones; several grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews as well a host of family and friends.
Emet was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; one sister, Mildred Arlene Mason, three half siblings, Howard Marquis, Verna Harper, and Della St. Cinn.
A Visitation will be held Thursday, November 9, 2023, from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at the Watkins and Sons Funeral Chapel in Bloomfield, Missouri, with the Funeral Service at 1:00 p.m. and Pastor Dwight Hensley of Bloomfield officiating.
Internment will follow at the Harper Cemetery near Aid, Missouri with Watkins And Sons Funeral Service of Dexter in charge of all arrangements.
