Betty Sue Payne, 76, of Puxico, went home to meet our heavenly father Sunday, May 12th, 2024 after a long battle with Alzheimers. Born to the late Albert and Margaret Maggie Conner, she was one of fifteen children. She was raised on the banks of the St. Francis River just below Wappapello Lake.
Ms. Betty is survived by five daughters, Sandra Walker (Jack), Rebecca Payne, Laura Payne, Judy Payne, and Joanna Payne as well as five grandchildren, Hailey Foust, Taylor Cheatham, Meghan Cheatham, Preston Payne Carraway, and Hannah Carraway.
Ms. Betty spent many years taking care of her girls, sewing clothes, gardening, preserving food, cooking, and cleaning but in spite of all the work, she always taught her girls to enjoy life too. She loved to go camping, boating, soak up the sun at the beach, or anything outdoors in nature. She enjoyed walking eight miles a day diligently as well as mowing her yard multiple times a week with her push mower for exercise.
Ms. Betty first and foremost loved Jesus and served Gods kingdom most of her life. She was a firm believer in loving the unlovable and showing kindness to the broken. She always wanted everyone to know, regardless of your circumstances, you are loved by God. Ms. Betty had a heart for people and would give someone the last dollar in her pocket if she thought they needed it. She picked many travelers up on the road and her first question would always be are you hungry?
Ms. Betty was an employee of the Mingo Jop Corps as a food service instructor before retiring in 2014. She loved spending time with the students and encouraging them in obtaining life skills.
Ms. Betty is also survived by one brother, Buddy (Lousie) Conner and many beloved nieces and nephews.
Along with her parents, preceding her in death were eight brothers: Francis Conner (infant), Harvey Conner, Ralph Conner, Francis Conner, AJ Conner, Carl Conner, Howard Conner, and Claudie Conner and five sisters: Ruth Conner (infant), Geraldine Conner, Edna Pitt, Margaret Jones, and Lorene Grimes.
Visitation will be held at the New Hope Church and Cemetery at McGee, MO on Saturday May 18th from 11:00-1:00 with the funeral service starting at 1:00. Her beloved nephew, Bro. Dale Jones, will be officiating. Pallbearers will be Jack Walker, Preston Carraway, Brian Jones, Arlin Hale, Michael Conner, and Roger Pitt.
Morgan Funeral Home in Advance, MO is in charge of all arrangements.
To order floral arrangements please contact The Flower Box in Advance, MO at 573-722-5166. The family request memorial donations be made to McGee New Hope Church in McGee, MO.
Betty Acord, daughter of the late Cecil Colin Snider and Rose Fields Snider, was born on March 10, 1933, in Charter Oak, Missouri, and departed this life on May 17, 2024, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston, Missouri, at the age of 91 years.
Mrs. Acord was a former owner of the Airport Café and Pete’s Café in Dexter, Missouri, she was a former cook for the Hickory House in Dexter, and she was a resident of Dexter. She enjoyed gardening, working in her yard, and fishing.
On June 9, 1951, in Piggott, Arkansas, she was united in marriage to Alfred Acord. Mr. Acord preceded her in death on October 29, 1995.
She is survived by three sons, Jerry Acord of Dexter, Missouri, Stanley Acord and wife Katherine of Bloomfield, Missouri, and Stephen Acord and wife Cynthia of White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico; by three daughters, Irma Sanders, Jeanette Layton, and Laura Acord, all of Dexter, Missouri; and by fourteen grandchildren, and numerous great-grandchildren.
Other than by her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her brother Otis “Cub” Snider; and by three sisters, Alma Ive, Alta Burns, and Vivian Mares.
Visitation will be held at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Thursday, May 23, 2024, from 12:30 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. A memorial service will then be conducted in the Mathis Funeral Home Chapel on Thursday, May 23, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. with Gary Cossey officiating. Interment will follow in the Hagy Cemetery.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is assisting with arrangements.
Jimmie Ray Adkins, son of the late Raymond Adkins and Vivian Brown Adkins, was born on August 16, 1934, in Bernie, Missouri. He departed this life on May 15, 2024, at Cypress Point Skilled Nursing in Dexter, Missouri at the age of 89 years.
Jim was united in marriage to Reba “Jeri” Kyle on February 11, 1956, in Bloomfield, Missouri, and was of the Baptist faith. Mrs. Adkins resides at their home in Dexter, which they built in 1972.
Along with his wife, he is survived by his son Dean Adkins of San Ramon, California; daughters Kim Pounders of Little Rock, Arkansas and Dana Neis and husband Mark of Eudora, Kansas; by his sister Judy Gregory of Dexter, Missouri; by seven grandchildren, Kyle, Nathan and Anna Pounders, John and Krissy Adkins, and Trevor and Carter Neis; and by his great grandson Tommy Adkins.
Mr. Adkins was a talented man, starting his career as a graphic artist / technical illustrator for Ozark Airlines and then McDonnell Aircraft where he worked on illustrations for the Project Mercury flight manual. Jim was also an architectural designer, and owned and operated Delta Components truss plant for 25 years. He pursued his artistic talents by painting, drawing, duck decoy woodcarving, woodworking and woodturning. Jim perfected basket illusion woodturning of SW Indian basketry, becoming the best in the art, teaching his craft to many woodturners across the country.
A memorial service will be planned later.
May (Williamson) McGuire, a beloved member of the community, passed away on May 16, 2024 in her hometown of St. Louis, Missouri. She was born on April 25, 1956, in St. Louis to her loving parents, Eugene and Rosa Lee (Fields) Williamson.. May spent her career working in a bakery, where she brought joy to many with her delicious creations.
May was not just a talented baker; she was also a dedicated member of the Bakers Confectionary Union and pursued her passion for baking with unwavering dedication. Her creations brought smiles to all those who had the pleasure of tasting them.
May is survived by her daughter Rosa Bounds of Granite City, Illinois; three grandchildren Sadie Bucks, Josh Bucks, and Jordan Bounds; as well as two great-grandchildren Peyton Bucks and Collin Bucks. May is also survived by her brothers Ervin Williamson of Piedmont, Missouri, Robert Williamson of St. Louis, Missouri; and her sister Jennett Hagy of Dexter.
May was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers Winston Allen and ED Williamson; and sisters Alice Mace, Jackie Hagy, Virginia French, and Rosetta Parris.
A Graveside Service will be held to honor May McGuire on May 20, 2024, at Parma City Cemetery in Parma, Missouri. The service will take place from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM.
May's memory will live on in the hearts of all those who knew and loved her. She will be remembered for her kindness, warmth, and the sweetness she brought into the lives of others through her passion for baking.
May she rest in peace.
Catherine Lea Mathis, daughter of Dorothy and Lee Bloomfield of Essex, Missouri was born on December 27, 1954, in Sikeston, Missouri. She went to her Heavenly home on May 19, 2024, at the age of 69 in Wappapello, Missouri.
Cathy is survived by her loving and devoted husband, David Mathis of 50 years; her children Ambre and late husband Mark Curran of Benton, Missouri; Lauren and husband Bruce Starks of Benton, Missouri; siblings Debbie and husband Terry Bowling of Farmington, Missouri; Beth and husband Mike Smith of Houston, Texas; Lee and Deanna Bloomfield of Gulfport, Mississippi; Grandchildren, Zach and wife Amanda Curran of Columbus, Ohio; Madalyn and husband Alan Lockhart of Joplin, Missouri; Jacob Curran of Phoenix, Arizona; Maurice Davis (Shelby Eichhorn) of Jacksonville, Florida; Colton Starks and Camden Starks of Benton, Missouri and several loving lifelong friends and extended family members.
She was preceded in death by her father and mother, Dorothy and Lee Bloomfield; stepfather, Fred Gamble; father and mother-in-law, Vernon and June Mathis; son-in-law, Mark Curran; and grandchild, Xaiden Starks.
Cathy graduated from Richland High School in 1973. While being a military spouse with her husband, she was very active in the military community as well as the communities in Dexter, Missouri and Talihina, Oklahoma.
Cathy loved to watch all wildlife, especially “momma raccoon” on her back porch with her husband, David. She enjoyed watching all sports, but her favorite to watch was the St. Louis Cardinals and The Blues. She was most famous for her “sugar cookies.” Her most favorite title of all was “Mom-Mom.” She was Mom-Mom to not only her grandchildren but to all the people she came into contact with.
Visitation will be held at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Friday, May 24, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Funeral services will then be conducted in the Mathis Funeral Home Chapel on Friday, May 24, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. Interment will follow in the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is assisting with arrangements.
