Madison Vanvacter, daughter of Andrew and Ashley Wilson, was born on July 17, 2008, in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, and departed this life on December 27, 2023, at Southeast Health of Stoddard County in Dexter, Missouri, at the age of 15 years.
Madison was a student at Richland Schools in Essex, Missouri, and a resident of Essex. She loved listening to music, especially Jason Aldean, and she loved watching TV, Peppa Pig was her favorite show.
She is survived by her parents, Andrew and Ashley Wilson of Essex, Missouri; by her father, Bradley Vanvacter of Piedmont, Missouri; by two sisters, Marissa Vanvacter and Maci Vanvacter both of Essex, Missouri; by her maternal grandmother, Janet Patterson of Bloomfield, Missouri; by her paternal grandparents, Allen and Tonya Wilson of Aid, Missouri; by her maternal great-grandmother, Betty Horn of Bloomfield, Missouri; by her paternal great-grandmother, Sandra Kildow of Essex, Missouri; by her uncle, Tim Grigery of Bloomfield, Missouri; and by several aunts, uncles, and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her maternal grandfather, Terry Patterson.
Visitation will be held at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Tuesday, January 2, 2024, from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. Funeral services will then be conducted in the Mathis Funeral Home Chapel on Tuesday, January 2, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Kyle Mitchell officiating. Interment will follow in the Old Essex Cemetery.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is assisting with arrangements.
Mary Evelyn Kent, daughter of the late Nora Clark and Vernie Holmes, departed this world into her heavenly home on Wednesday, December 20, 2023, at the age of 92, knowing she was loved and will be missed by many.
Mary was born December 5, 1931, in Dyersburg Tennessee. On July 12, 1947, Mary was united in marriage to her school sweetheart, Homer Lee Kent. They resided in Peach Orchard, Missouri until 1950 when they moved to Logansport, Indiana. In 1962, life brought them to Malden, Missouri where they resided until moving to their home in Dexter, Missouri in 1994. After arriving to Missouri, this couple answered their calling from God and helped to build several of the Pentecostal churches across Southeast Missouri.
She leaves behind one daughter, Patricia Rodgers (and late husband Thomas) of Dexter; three granddaughters, Heather (Logan) Hairston of Dexter, Candice (James) Burleson of Malden, Missouri and Kristina Stone of Sikeston; two grandsons, Jack Schmerber of Dexter and David Jones of Bertrand; eleven great grandchildren, Prestyn, Kaylar, and Jayce Tidwell, James and Deklyn Hairston, Sierra (Devon) Green of Advance, Trinity Stone, of Sikeston, Hallie Skelton (Trevor Samons) of Dexter, Bentley Stayton and Christian Arment of Malden, and Wyatt Smelt, of Dexter; and four great great grandchildren, Maleigha, Kamber , Kaison, and Rowan Green of Advance. She is also survived by several nieces, nephews, and lots of friends who loved her tremendously. Mary was proceeded in death by her parents, her loving husband of 73 years, Homer, one son, Lee Roy Kent, one sister, Joann Osborn, and three brothers, Shorty, Billy, and Robert Holmes.
Mary was a homemaker, who valued the power of prayer and loved her family more than words could describe. She had a one-of-a-kind personality, a true heart of gold, and a smile that shined. If you were loved by Mary, you knew what true, unconditional love really was. If you knew Mary, you knew that she had the heart of a child wherever she went. She loved playing with the kids anywhere she went, even in her later years, she still believed she could do whatever the kids did. She enjoyed camping, hunting, fishing, making sugar cookies with her grandchildren, and being able to serve God in ways she felt called. Mary was a member of the First Pentecostal Church of Dexter.
Family and friends may call at the Bradshaw Funeral Home in Malden, Missouri on Wednesday, December 27th. Visitation will be for close family from 10:00am-11:00am, then with friends from 11:00am-1:00pm. Funeral with Bro. Jeff Wells officiating will follow at 1:00pm in the chapel. Interment will follow at the Dexter Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please contact Jackson Florist in Dexter, Mo.
Caleb Howard Sparks, the son of Jeremy Sparks of Paragould, Arkansas and Brandi Mannis and husband Mathew of Whitney, Texas was born on November 15, 2005 in Jonesboro, Arkansas and departed this life on December 15, 2023 in Paragould,
Arkansas at the age of 18.
Caleb was a current senior at Greene County Tech High School in Paragould. He enjoyed being outside, when he was skateboarding, skating, riding dirt bikes and camping, and especially with his dad. He loved his family deeply, and they loved him. Caleb also loved building his first home with his grandfather, Dean Kirby.
Caleb is survived by his father, Jeremy Sparks of Paragould, Arkansas; by his mother and stepfather, Brandi Mannis and Mathew of Whitney, Texas; by his sister, McKenzie June Moore of Arkansas; by his fiance’ Aderionna Burnett of Paragould, Arkansas; by his maternal grandparents, Britt and Donna Lorino of Osceola, Arkansas, and Doug and Kelly Smith of Cave City, Arkansas; by his paternal grandparents, Jimmy and Marie Sparks of Paragould, Arkansas; by his grandparents Harold “Dean” Kirby and Bonnie Thompson of Paragould, Arkansas; by his aunt’s, Spencer and husband Chase Rowen of West Virginia,
and Jasmine Sparks of Jonesboro, Arkansas; and by his uncle’s, Nathan Sparks of Hickory Flat, Mississippi, Hunter and wife Whitney Bowers of Paragould, Arkansas; and by many extended family and friends who will forever cherish their memories
they made with Caleb.
He was preceded in death by his uncle, Charles Wayne Kirby; by great grandparents, Hettie and Leo Houchin; Bud and Reddie Smith; and Wayne and Charlotte Hamilton.
A memorial service will be conducted on Friday, December 29, 2023 with Visitation at 1pm and Memorial Service at 2pm. Services will be held at Finch Baptist Church in Paragould, Arkansas with Pastor Marty Ezell officiating.
Ashley Marie Brooke Smith, the daughter of Anna Smith, was born July 5, 1987, in Poplar Bluff, MO.
She attended the Lighthouse Church in Dexter, MO.
Ms. Smith died Monday, December 18, 2023, at her residence in Malden, MO at the age of 36 years.
Survivors include 2 sons, Roman Farmer and Danton Porter; 1 daughter, Nadiah Green all of the home; her mother, Anna Smith of Malden; 2 sisters, Sadie Vandergriff and Casey Vandergriff both of Malden; 1 grandmother, Martha Anderson of Clarkton; aunts, uncles, cousins and a host of other relatives and friends.
A visitation will be held on Thursday, December 21, 2023, from 5:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M., at the Bradshaw Funeral Home in Malden.
Erik Taylor Kelley, son of Billy Kelley and Deena Taylor Kelley of Essex, Missouri, was born on February 24, 1971, in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, and departed this life on December 21, 2023, at his residence in Essex, Missouri, at the age of 52 years.
Mr. Kelley was a self-employed landscaper with a passion for life. His interests ranged from literature, music and film to college football and cold drinks on the golf course. He was a patriot that enjoyed the 4th of July and shooting fireworks for his family, as well as visiting our local state parks and waterways. He had a kind heart and ensured his neighbors wanted for nothing.
On November 4, 1989, in Essex, Missouri, he was united in marriage to Sharon Cobb. Mrs. Kelley survives of their home in Essex.
Along with his wife and parents, he is survived by his son, Ryan Taylor Kelley of Cape Girardeau, Missouri; by two brothers, Andy Kelley and wife Crystal of Dexter, Missouri, and Kurt Kelley of Essex, Missouri; by his mother-in-law, Carolyn Cobb; and by other close relatives and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Charles and Merle Taylor; by his paternal grandparents, Norman and Ola Kelley, and by his father-in-law, Decalvis “Dee” Cobb.
Visitation will be held at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Sunday, December 24, 2023, from 12:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. A memorial service will then be conducted in the Mathis Funeral Home Chapel on Sunday, December 24, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. Interment will follow in the Essex Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, Hope Lodge, 4207 Lindell Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63108.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is assisting with arrangements.
