Marian Gillespie, daughter of the late James McCurdie and Edith Cole McCurdie, was born on April 27, 1937, in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and departed this life on May 29, 2024, at Cypress Point Skilled Nursing in Dexter, Missouri, at the age of 87 years.
Mrs. Gillespie was a former co-owner of Dwight’s Ace Hardware in Bloomfield, Missouri for 21 years. She attended St. Joe General Baptist Church in Idalia, Missouri. She enjoyed watching stock car racing and St. Louis Cardinals Baseball, and she loved spending time with her granddaughters.
On February 27, 1954, in Kalamazoo, Michigan, she was united in marriage to Dwight Gillespie. Mr. Gillespie preceded her in death on September 5, 2018.
She is survived by her son, Ron Gillespie and wife Cindy of Bloomfield, Missouri; by her daughter, Pam Wheeler of Dexter, Missouri; by two sisters, Shirley Materi and Beverly Weaver of Portage, Michigan; by her sister-in-law, Bev Boynton of Portage, Michigan; by two granddaughters, Holly Davis and husband Darin, and Melissa Rhine and husband Luke; and by five great-grandchildren, Kyleigh Davis, Carter Davis, Bailey Stevens, Parker Rhine, and Jaxx Rhine.
Other than by her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Kenneth McCurdie, and Jimmy McCurdie; and by her sister, Rosemary Musgrove.
Graveside services will be held at Leora Cemetery in Puxico on Sunday, June 2, 2024, at 10:30 a.m.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is assisting with arrangements.
On Tuesday, May 28th, at 11:18 PM, Connie Sue (Reed) Blanchard Jones of Dexter, MO, peacefully departed this life at the age of 82 surrounded by loved ones at the Winchester Skilled Nursing Facility in Bernie, MO leaving behind a legacy of love, resilience, and unwavering faith.
Born on February 5, 1942, at her family home in Gideon, MO, Connie Sue was the beloved daughter of William Thomas Reed and Kate Lily (Abernathy) Reed. She was a member of the Gideon High School class of 1960, attending until the end of her freshman year when she left to marry her first love, Jackie Eugene Blanchard, on August 27, 1957. The couple briefly relocated living in both St. Louis MO and Oklahoma City OK, before returning to their roots in Gideon. They were blessed with three children: Kim Diane, Jackie Sue, and Joshua Eugene.
Though she held positions as a waitress, clerk, bundle girl, and service girl throughout her life, her most treasured role was that of mother. After 25 years of marriage, she faced the heartbreaking loss of her husband Jackie on October 28, 1982. Once widowed, Connie Sue demonstrated remarkable strength, and returned to school to obtain her GED and pursue a degree in nursing to provide for her family. During her studies, she met Howard Marvin Jones, who would bring her profound happiness, companionship, and love throughout the second half of her life. They married on March 4, 1994, at which time Connie Sue welcomed his daughter, Janet Jones, into her heart.
Connie Sue and Howard enjoyed 30 wonderful years together residing in Dexter MO, united by a love for worship, travel, gardening, and spending time with their grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Together, they were active members of the church, participating in the visitation program, vacation Bible school, nursing home singing, Bible class teaching, and the community Thursday school program.
She will be deeply missed and forever remembered.
Connie Sue is survived by her devoted husband, Howard; her daughters, Kim Diane Cook (William) of Dexter, Jackie Sue Landers of Gideon, and Janet Jones of Durham, NC; her son, Joshua Eugene Blanchard (Michele) of University Place, WA; eight grandchildren, Aaron (Mark) Menley and Amanda (Jonathan) Guite of Dexter, Jessica (Matt) Weaver of Gideon, Jordan (Katie) Landers of Paragould, AR, Aria Blanchard and Everly Blanchard of University Place, WA, Johanna (Kenneth) Supernaw and Jason Horton of Durham, NC; and thirteen great-grandchildren, Fisher Menley, Mauriona Menley, Bronsen Menley, Archer Menley, Averee Ackman, Annslee Ackman, Asher Guite of Dexter, Landon Weaver, Larson Weaver, and Lennon Weaver of Gideon, Leighton Landers of Paragould, AR, Kendall Supernaw, and Cameron Supernaw of Durham, NC.
Preceding her in death were her parents, William Thomas and Kate Reed; her first husband, Jackie Eugene Blanchard; her brothers, William Ross Reed and Wayne Allen Reed; and her sisters, Frances Montgomery, Thelma Reed, Wanda Wood, and Darlene Montgomery.
Visitation will be held at 12:00 PM on Monday, June 3, 2024, at the Dexter church of Christ, followed by funeral services at 2:00 PM, officiated by Kevin Lawrence, minister at the Gideon church of Christ. Burial will follow at Stanfield Cemetery in Clarkton, MO. Arrangements are entrusted to Mathis Funeral Home of Dexter.
Serving as pallbearers will be Mark Menley, Jonathan Guite, Matt Weaver, Jordan Landers, Landon Weaver, and Bronsen Menley. Honorary pallbearers will include Fisher Menley, Archer Menley, Larson Weaver, Cameron Supernaw, and Asher Guite.
Memorial contributions may be made to:
Bootheel Youth Camp,
PO Box 457, Dexter, MO 63841
or
Paragould Children’s Home
5515 Walcott Road
Paragould, AR 72450
*You may also Call Cindy Barnett at 870.239.4031, ext. 127 or email at cindy.barnett@childrenshomes.org for more information.
Ollie “Clifford” Hicks, son of the late Joseph E. Hicks and Agnes Chattin Hicks, was born on September 30, 1935, in LaValle, Missouri, and departed this life on May 28, 2024, at his residence in Essex, Missouri, at the age of 88 years.
Mr. Hicks was a former maintenance supervisor and school bus driver for Bloomfield RXIV Schools, retiring after 28 years of service, helping kids brought him great joy. He was a lifetime member of the Bloomfield Masonic Lodge, and he was a member of Beech Grove General Baptist Church in Essex. He enjoyed tinkering with tractors and farm equipment, taking care of his chickens and other farm animals and working in his garden.
On February 16, 1957, in Circle City, Missouri, he was united in marriage to Mary Ruth George. Clifford and Mary were married for 65 years and enjoyed doing everything together. They set a great example for their family and everyone who knew them of how marriage should be. Mrs. Hicks preceded him in death on November 28, 2022.
He is survived by two sons, Garry Hicks and wife Evelyn of Woodward, Oklahoma, and Terry Hicks of Piedmont, Missouri; by four daughters, Peggy Hicks of Dexter, Missouri, Teresa Lambert and husband Mike of Bloomfield, Missouri, Kathy Robinson and husband Dane of Lawrence, Kansas, and Donna Hicks of Cape Girardeau, Missouri; by fifteen grandchildren, twenty great-grandchildren, and three great-great grandchildren.
Other than by his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Stevan Hicks Sr.; and by two brothers, J.W. Hicks, and Joseph Edward Hicks.
Visitation will be held at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Friday, May 31, 2024, from 1:00 p.m. until 2:30 p.m. Funeral services will then be conducted in the Mathis Funeral Home Chapel on Friday, May 31, 2024, at 2:30 p.m. with Rev. Rick Roberts officiating. Interment will follow in the Chalk Bluff Cemetery.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is assisting with arrangements.
Rodney Huckstep, son of Fay Huckstep of Marble Hill, Missouri, and the late Jerry Huckstep, was born on December 30, 1960, in Advance, Missouri, and departed this life on May 27, 2024, at Jackson Manor in Jackson, Missouri, at the age of 63 years.
Mr. Huckstep was an Automotive Electrician for Auto Trim Design in Cape Girardeau, Missouri and he was a resident of Bloomfield, Missouri. He enjoyed restoring old cars, especially his 66 Chevelle and he was a fan of NASCAR and drag races. He loved sweet tea, and his dogs.
Along with his mother, he is survived by his son, Timothy Huckstep of Marble Hill, Missouri; by his brother, Randy Huckstep of Thomson, Georgia; by two sisters, Dianna Hanners of Jackson, Missouri and Deborah Abernathy of O’Fallon, Missouri; by three grandchildren, Tyler Huckstep, Bralen Huckstep, and Katelyn Huckstep; and by three great-grandchildren, Braxton Tims, Kingston Tims, and Kinsley Huckstep.
Other than by his father, he was preceded in death by his brother, David Huckstep.
Graveside services were held in Old Union Cemetery in Bessville, Missouri.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter assisted with arrangements.
William Allen Turnbow, son of the late Raymond Cecil Turnbow, Sr. and Elaine Walker Castro of Bernie, Missouri, was born January 4, 1963, in Bernie, Missouri and departed this life on May 26, 2024, in St. Louis, Missouri at the age of 61 years.
Mr. Turnbow worked as a machinist for Burgess-Norton in Geneva, Illinois. He was a collector of antiques and odds and ends treasures. He also loved to eat fish and going to car shows. He attended the United Pentecostal Church in Malden, Missouri.
On August 23, 1986, in St. Charles, Illinois, he was united in marriage to Pam Bumgarner. Mrs. Turnbow survives of their home in Poplar Bluff, Missouri.
Along with his wife and mother, he is survived by three sons, Dalton Turnbow of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, Jeff Goldman and his wife Kathleen of Sugar Grove, Illinois, and Jeremy Goldman of Bernie, Missouri; by his daughter, Justina Goldman of Poplar Bluff, Missouri; by four brothers, Tommy Turnbow of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, Jason Walker of Atkins, Arkansas, Tino Castro of South Elgin, Illinois and Alejo Castro of Rochelle, Illinois; by two sisters, Dianna Shannon of Crystal City, Missouri and Sue McGuire Imperial, Missouri; by his granddaughter, whom he loved more than anything, Tammy Goldman; by his step-father, Alejo Castro of Bernie, Missouri; by several aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews; and by his special friend, Tom Lee.
Other than by his father, he was preceded in death by one brother, Raymond Cecil Turnbow, Jr.
Visitation will be held at Mathis Funeral Home in Bernie on Saturday, June 1, 2024, from 12:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. Funeral services will then be conducted in the Mathis Funeral Home Chapel on Saturday, June 1, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. with Bro. Bobby Moore officiating. Interment will follow in the Bernie Cemetery.
Mathis Funeral Home in Bernie is assisting with arrangements.
