Billy Pat Wright son of the late Leonard Wright and Leona White Vangilder was born on March 17, 1937 in Marmaduke, Arkansas and departed this life on December 8, 2023 at the Memory Lane Nursing Home in Dexter, Missouri at the age of 86.
Billy Pat had retired from Southwestern Bell where he had worked as an engineer. He proudly served his country in the United States Army and National Guard from 1959-1965, and served in the Missouri State House of Representatives from 2005-2012 for the 159thDistrict. He was a faithful member of the Dexter Church of Christ, a devoted husband, loving father and grandfather. He volunteered for the Dexter Rotary Club, Stoddard County Republican Club, and had lobbied on behalf of Missouri Senator Doug Libla. He enjoyed working with cattle, traveling to the Gulf Coast, dancing and singing.
On June 16, 1961 he was united in marriage to Linda Milburn in Hayti, Missouri. Mrs. Wright preceded him in death on October 26, 2015.
He is survived by three daughters, Elaine ElizabethHack and husband Stephen of Lawrenceville, Georgia, Leah Wright LeGrand and husband Rodney of Dexter, Missouri, and Laura Paige Niblett and husband Tad of Gainesville, Georgia; by his sister, Linda Garner of Dexter, Missouri; by six grandchildren, Andrew “Drew” Austin Kelley and Kole Wright Kelley, John Riley Niblett and Cassidy Paige Niblett, James Jackson Thomason and Laighton Elizabeth Thomason; and by his great-grandson, Luka Andrew Kelley.
Other than by his wife and parents he was preceded in death by his brother, Clint Wright.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, December 10, 2023from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Dexter Church of Christ in Dexter, Missouri. Funeral services will be conducted on December 10, 2023 at 2:30 p.m. in the Dexter Church of Christ in Dexter, Missouri. Interment will follow at the Dexter Cemetery.
Doris Jean Moore, daughter of the late Arthur Gillespie and Lela Fay Burge Gillespie, was born on September 27, 1940, in Puxico, Missouri, and departed this life on December 6, 2023, at her residence in Dexter, Missouri, at the age of 83 years.
Mrs. Moore was a former office manager for REA in Bloomfield and had worked for Susie’s Bake Shop and Dumplin’s in Sikeston. She was a member of First Assembly of God Church in Dexter, Missouri and Doris had a servant’s heart. She was an excellent seamstress, and enjoyed baking, crafts, and woodworking. She enjoyed their dogs and loved spending time with her siblings and spouses RVing.
On November 21, 1958, in Bloomfield, Missouri, she was united in marriage to M C Moore. Mr. Moore preceded her in death on March 24, 2016.
She is survived by two daughters, Barbara Wilkins of Iuka, Illinois, and Patti Penick of Dexter, Missouri; by two brothers, Dale Gillespie and wife Dorothy of Bloomfield, Missouri, and Bob Gillespie and wife Barbara of Dexter, Missouri; by her sister, Patsy Robinson and husband Carroll of Dexter, Missouri; by her sister-in-law, Linda Gillespie of Dexter, Missouri; and by many nieces and nephews who she enjoyed.
Other than by her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Bill Gillespie, and by her sister-in-law, Wava Gillespie.
Visitation will be held at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Monday, December 11, 2023, from 11:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Funeral services will then be conducted in the Mathis Funeral Home Chapel on Monday, December 11, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. Interment will follow in the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter assisted with arrangements.
Frieda Young, daughter of the late William Spore and Golden Hart Spore, was born on January 15, 1921, in Stoddard County, Missouri and departed this life on December 4, 2023, at her residence in Dexter, Missouri, at the age of 102 years.
Mrs. Young was a member of New Bethel Baptist Church in Dexter, and in her earlier years, attended Sadler Chapel Church in Dexter.
On August 10, 1940, in Dexter, Missouri, she was united in marriage to Gordon “Dick” Young. Mr. Young preceded her in death on May 31, 1984.
She is survived by her daughter, Mariedda Atherton of Dexter, Missouri; by two sons, Larry Young of Tyler, Texas and Dennis Young of Bowie, Texas; and by six grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and nine great-great grandchildren.
Other than by her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her son, Jerry Young, and by her brother, Maurice Spore.
A memorial service will be held at New Bethel Baptist Church in rural Dexter on Friday, December 8, 2023, at 1:30 p.m. Interment will follow in the Dexter Cemetery.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter assisted with arrangements.
Laura Ann Greenwood, daughter of Janet Litzler Carroll of Kelso, Missouri, and the late Paul A. Kenkel, was born on October 1, 1959, in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, and departed this life on December 1, 2023, at her residence in Dexter, Missouri, at the age of 64 years.
Mrs. Greenwood was a truck driver for TNI Trucking. She was an avid Cardinal Baseball fan, she loved taking care of her fur babies, and she was a definite “Big Sister”, keeping everyone in line.
On July 14, 1978, in Kelso, Missouri, she was united in marriage to Cleatus “Buddy” Greenwood. Mr. Greenwood preceded her in death in July of 1989.
Along with her mother, she is survived by two brothers, Paul David Kenkel of Kelso, Missouri, and Joey Kenkel of Snook, Texas; and by two sisters, Tina Smith of Somerville, Texas and Debbie Gohn of Fruitland, Missouri.
Other than by her husband and father, she was preceded in death by her brother, Tony Kenkel and by her step-father, Tom Carroll.
A Celebration of Life will be planned for a later date.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter assisted with arrangements.
John Richard Hovis, 76, of Zalma, Missouri passed away Tuesday, November 28, 2023 at his home.
He was born February 8, 1947 in Turkey Creek, MO to David Eugene and Anna Alice (Pridy) Hovis.
He and Janis Ruth (Allen) Hovis were married May 19th 1979 in Zalma, MO. She survives him in Zalma.
He was a lifetime member of Turkey Creek General Baptist Church.
He was a veteran of the US Army.
He was a cattle farmer and worked in his family owned timber business.
John enjoyed tending to his cattle and working on his farm. He always stayed busy and was never caught sitting down.
Survivors include his wife; son, John David (Gina) Hovis of Zalma, MO; daughter, Christina (Jared) Dunning of Advance, MO; five brothers, Tom (Judy) Hovis of Greenville, MO, Bill (Bernia) Hovis of Greenville, MO, Jim (Soozi) Hovis of Sikeston, MO, Joe Hovis of Zalma, MO, Mike (Sandy) Hovis of Advance, MO; sister-in-law, Opal Hovis of Zalma, MO; six grandchildren, Dalli, Rhett, Claire, Grace, Luke, Easton.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Bob Hovis; parents-in-law, Curtis & Velma Allen.
Visitation was from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, December 2, 2023 at Ford & Liley Funeral Home Marble Hill.
Funeral Service was held at 11 a.m. on Sunday, December 3, 2023 with the Rev. Jamie Hovis officiating.
Burial was at Bollinger County Memorial Park Cemetery in Marble Hill.
Memorial contributions may be given to Gideon's, Lymphoma Society or Turkey Creek General Baptist Church.
