Amber Nicole Smiley, daughter of Nick Smiley of Bernie, Missouri and the late Jane Smiley, was born on February 1, 1983 in Dexter, Missouri and departed this life on April 30, 2024 at the Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, Missouri at the age of 41.
Amber attended the Unity Full Gospel Church in Bernie, and was a resident of Bernie.
She is survived by her dad, Nick Smiley of Bernie, Missouri; by her brother, Michael Smiley and wife Amanda of Bernie, Missouri; by her sister, Catrina Hancock and husband Jeremy of Malden, Missouri; by her maternal grandmother, Norma Jean Haye; by several aunts and uncles; and by six nieces and three nephews.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Jane Smiley.
A grave-side service will be conducted on Friday, May 3, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at the Bernie cemetery in Bernie, Missouri with Rev. Eddie Champion officiating.
Mathis Funeral Home in Bernie, Missouri is assisting the family with arrangements.
Harlan “Greg” Hillis, son of Danny Hillis of Essex, Missouri, and the late Sarah Lynne Heffelfinger Hillis, was born on June 8, 1959, in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, and departed this life on April 29, 2024, at his residence in Essex, Missouri at the age of 64 years.
Mr. Hillis was a truck driver. He was a member of the United Methodist Church in Essex. He loved driving race cars, and he wanted his cars fast and loud.
Along with his father, he is survived by two daughters, Miranda Banken and husband Lance of Dexter, Missouri, and Halona Hillis of Bloomfield, Missouri; by his brother, Scott Hillis and wife Karen of Essex, Missouri; and by four grandchildren, Brooklyn Link, Kingston Banken, Farah Banken, and Kashlyn Kelley.
A memorial service will be held at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Friday, May 3, 2024, at 1:00 p.m.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is assisting with arrangements.
Born on September 6, 1929, in Earle, Arkansas, Dean embraced life with a vibrant spirit and a heart full of love. Her career as an administrator not only showcased her professional excellence but also her dedication to serving others with compassion and grace.
Dean's effervescent personality was evident to all who knew her. She never met a stranger and had the remarkable ability to make everyone feel welcomed and cherished. Her love for spending time with family was unparalleled, and she found great joy in the company of her loved ones.
One of Dean's greatest loves was her son Dan’s loyal companion, Wiley, her beloved grand dog who brought her immense happiness and comfort. Additionally, she found solace and enjoyment in playing Bridge wherever she went, showcasing her passion for social connection and friendly competition.
A member of the Red Hats, Dean enriched the lives of those around her through shared interests and camaraderie. Her presence in the community will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her.
Dean Swallows leaves behind a legacy of love and cherished memories. She is reunited in eternity with her parents, Martin and Cora Mae (ChurchhillRenfro, her husband Carl Ray Swallows, one son, Tom Swallows, and her brothers Elmo (Mo), Leo, Kenneth (Mutt), and EC Renfro. She is also predeceased by her sister Marge Zimmerman.
In this time of mourning, we find solace in knowing that Dean's spirit lives on through her surviving son, Dan (Lisa Brovold) Swallows of Winterset, Iowa. Their bond remains unbroken despite the physical distance between them.
The family wishes to express their warmest gratitude to the staff of Elara Health Care, especially Kendall. The warmth and compassion that was extended to Dean was very much appreciated.
To honor Dean Swallows' life and commemorate her impact on all who had the privilege of knowing her, services will be held at Watkins Funeral Homes in Puxico, Missouri. A visitation will take place from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM on April 30th, followed by a funeral service at 1:00 PM. The interment will be held at 2:00 PM at 23698 Cemetery Rd in Puxico.
As we bid farewell to Dean Swallows in this physical realm, may we carry forward the light of her memory in our hearts as a testament to her enduring legacy of love, kindness, and joy.
Gerald Lee Yates, son of the late Aaron Yates and Alma Chloe Turnbough Yates was born on November 29, 1944 in St. Louis, Missouri and departed this life on April 27, 2024 at his residence in Dexter, Missouri at the age of 79.
Mr. Yates had retired out of the United States Army after twenty-four years of service. He was a member of the Word of Faith Church in Bernie, and had worked for Battles Communications in Dexter. He enjoyed working in his flower gardens, any odd jobs especially wood working, he never met a stranger and enjoyed conversations with everyone he met. He was a wonderful father, and enjoyed spending time with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
On August 17, 1968 he was united in marriage to Charlotte Ann Gromer in Overland, Missouri. Mrs. Yates preceded him in death on December 14, 2010.
He is survived by two daughters, Terri Pettypool and husband Jim of Bernie, Missouri, and Connie Allen and husband Derrick of Dexter, Missouri; by three grandchildren, Cameron Yates and fiancé Mercedes Dean, Kelci Meekie and husband Desmond, and Cora Allen; and by six great-grandchildren, Camden Meekie, Asher Meekie, Annslee Meekie, Rowan Yates, Lakeland Yates, and Skylah Yates.
Other than by his wife and parents he was preceded in death by four brothers, Leonard Yates, Tom Yates, Gene Yates and Robert Yates.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, April 30, 2024 from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. in the Mathis Funeral Home in Bernie, Missouri. Funeral services will follow at 1:00 p.m. in the Mathis Funeral Chapel with Rev. Dale Hartle officiating. Interment will follow in the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield, Missouri with full military honors.
Donald Davis, son of the late Theodore Elexander Davis and Edith Mae Medlin Davis was born on October 6, 1940, in Malden, Missouri, and departed this life on April 26, 2024, at Winchester Nursing Center in Bernie, Missouri, at the age of 83 years.
Mr. Davis was the former owner of Imperial Floor Covering in Morehouse, Missouri, for 21 years. He attended Westside Baptist Church in Dexter and was a resident of Dexter. He enjoyed crappie fishing at Reelfoot Lake, going to his cabin in Doniphan to deer hunt, mowing his yard and hauling grain.
On June 4, 1960, in Painton, Missouri, he was united in marriage to Peggy Jones. Mrs. Davis survives of their home in Dexter.
Along with his wife, he is survived by two sons, Melvin Davis and wife Lori of Crossville, Tennessee, and Quintin Davis and wife Janelle of Dexter, Missouri; by two daughters, Karen Kiger and husband Jerry of Dexter, Missouri, and Kelly Huls of Dexter, Missouri; by his brother, Theodore Elexander Davis II and wife Sue of Sikeston, Missouri; by his sister, Phyllis Mason of Dexter, Missouri; by eight grandchildren, Dustin Davis (Jennifer), Kari Clark (James), Camden Davis (Haley), Bria Davis (Robert), Wyatt Kiger (Morgan), Jackie Kiger, Hannah Orton (Randy), and Hallie Huls (fiancé Kayne Wilson); and by thirteen great-grandchildren.
Other than by his parents, he was preceded in death by his son-in-law, Chris Huls; by two brothers, Cletus Eugene Davis and Junior Davis; and by his sister, Lois Marie Davis.
Visitation will be held at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, from 12:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. Funeral services will then be conducted in the Mathis Funeral Home Chapel on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Quintin Davis officiating. Interment will follow in the Hagy Cemetery.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is assisting with arrangements.
