Brenda Cox, daughter of the late Bobby D. Barrett and Correene Sitton Barrett, was born on December 7, 1951, in Dexter, Missouri and departed this life on January 17, 2025, at Mercy Stoddard County Hospital in Dexter, Missouri at the age of 73 years.
Mrs. Cox was a former clerk for Stovall’s in Dexter, JC Penney Catalog Store and Wal-Mart in Malden, Missouri. She enjoyed bowling and softball in her younger years. She was an avid Cardinals fan and loved attending games as often as she could. She had yearly trips with her friend Jan Shuffler. One of her favorite places was Destin, Florida.
On March 25, 1978, in Dexter, Missouri, she united in marriage with Leslie F. Cox. Mr. Cox preceded her in death on April 17, 2005.
She is survived by one brother, Robert Barrett and his wife, Christine of Bloomfield, Missouri; one sister, Donna South and her husband James of Dexter, Missouri; sister-in-law, Cathy Starnes and her husband Gary of Dexter, Missouri; brother-in-law, Floyd Cox, Jr. of Edgewater, Florida; nieces and nephews, Amber Starnes, Ashley Starnes, April Wamble, James Adam South, and Amy Kay South; great-nieces, Scarlett South, Kaycee Wamble, and Maycee Wamble.
Other than her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by one brother, Larry Lynn Barrett.
Visitation will be held at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Thursday, January 23, 2025, from 12:00 p.m. until 1:00 p.m. Funeral services will then be conducted in the Mathis Funeral Home Chapel on Thursday January 23, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. Interment will follow at the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield, Missouri.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is assisting with arrangements.
Debra Lou Kern, daughter of the late James Calhoun and Florence Owens Calhoun, was born on April 19, 1952, in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, and departed this life on January 17, 2025, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau at the age of 72.
Her friends and family knew her as Debbie. One of her proudest achievements was being crowned Mrs. Missouri in 1986. Awarded a scholarship from this title, she pursued her undergraduate degree at Southeast Missouri State University and later earned her graduate degree there as well. Debbie held many occupations throughout her life, including real estate, teaching, sales, social work, and administrative positions in care facilities. Above all, she was a loving and caring mother to her children, stepchildren, and many of their friends throughout her life.
Debbie was an incredibly talented and self-taught artist. Many of her creations hang on the walls of her loved ones' homes. The art studio at her home was one of the great pleasures during her later years after retiring. Many leisurely hours were spent creating beautiful paintings, teaching her grandchildren how to paint, and sharing her love of art with family and friends. Many of her final paintings were inspired by ocean landscapes, another of her great loves, and where her husband Larry took her on vacation every year in Destin, Florida.
On September 14, 2006, she was united in marriage to Larry Kern in Destin, Florida. Mr. Kern survives in their home in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.
Along with her husband, she is survived by her son, James Ringer, and wife, Desirae, of Corpus Christi, Texas; by her daughter, Lora Cecil, and husband, Joe, of Dexter, Missouri; by her stepdaughter from her previous marriage, Lisa Ringer, of Los Angeles, California; by two step-sons, Kenneth Kern and wife Jamie of Dunedin, Florida and Richard Kern of Scott City, Missouri; by her sister Kim Shambo of Scott City, Missouri; by four grandchildren, Kristin Bailey, Taylor Cecil, Harrison Ringer, and Cassius Collins; and by her great-granddaughter, Kassidy Bailey.
Other than by her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, James Calhoun Jr., and by her sister, Marsha Dohogne.
Thelma Joyce Bostic was born on December 28, 1945, in Parma, Missouri to the late Hollis and Margie (Nance) Mathis, and passed away on January 15, 2025, in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, at the age of 79 years old.
On November 13, 1987, Cecil Bostic and Thelma Mathis were united in marriage in Bloomfield, Missouri, and he preceded her in death on January 25, 2008.
Thelma lived in the area for nearly 40 years, and attended the Bible Tabernacle Church in Bloomfield, Missouri. She loved to sew, read, crochet, do needlework, write poetry, do photography, watch westerns and listen to her late husband play music.
Surviving family include her children, Bobby Cordell Jr., and Debbie Cordell-Milam, both of West Memphis, Arkansas, her grandchildren: Brandon and Felecia Cordell, both of Tyronza, Arkansas, her great grandchildren: Eli, Bradley, Trinity, and JJ, 3 brothers: Bruce Mathis, Paul Mathis, and Tony Mathis, all of West Memphis, Arkansas, and 2 sisters, Stella Dejournett, of Bloomfield, Missouri and Patricia Burch, of West Memphis, Arkansas, as well as several nieces and nephews.
Thelma was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Cecil, 1 sister, and 4 brothers.
The visitation will be on Monday, January 20, 2025, beginning at 11 A.M. at the Watkins and Sons Funeral Home in Bloomfield, Missouri.
The funeral will be on Monday, January 20, 2025, beginning at 1 P.M. at the Watkins and Sons Funeral Home in Bloomfield, Missouri, with Pastor Charles Robertson officiating.
Harold "Tommy" Lloyd Morris was born on September 21, 1939, in Ridgley, Tennessee to the late John and Vera Morris, and passed away peacefully on January 13, 2025 in Poplar Bluff, Missouri at the age of 85 years old.
Tommy lived in this area for the majority of his life and after marrying his wife Joyce, he became a member of the United States Air Force for 4 years. After serving in the Air Force, Tommy became a Southern Baptist pastor. He was an outdoorsman, and enjoyed hunting, fishing, watching sports on television, and reading his Bible.
Surviving family include his loving wife Joyce, who survives of the home, his sons, Randy and Richie Morris, both of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, a sister, Shirley, of St. Louis, Missouri, as well as 4 grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren.
The visitation will be on Friday, January 17, 2025, at the Watkins and Sons Funeral Home in Puxico, Missouri.
The graveside service will be on Friday, January 17, 2025, at 1 P.M. at the Puxico Cemetery in Puxico, Missouri.
Watkins and Sons Funeral Home is handling all arrangements.
Fae Ellen Conley, born on July 26, 1938, in Dorsey, Mississippi, to the late Wiley and Mary (Duncan) Kyle, peacefully passed away on January 12, 2025, in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, at the age of 86.
Fae was united in marriage to Jimmy Lee Conley on August 12, 1956, in Peoria, Illinois. They shared many loving years together until his passing on January 3, 2021.
A dedicated resident of Southeast Missouri for over 60 years, Fae was an active member of the Providence Missionary Baptist Church in Puxico. She was known for her passions, particularly sewing, reading, and fishing, which brought her great joy.
Fae is survived by her sons, Ralph and James Conley of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, a brother, Percy (Trina) Carroll of Pontotoc, Missouri, as well as six grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, two brothers, Gaither and Hugh Kyle, and two sisters, Jamie Underwood and Kathryn Shelton.
Family and friends are invited to pay their respects during the visitation on Thursday, January 16, 2025, beginning at 11 A.M. at the Watkins and Sons Funeral Chapel in Puxico, Missouri. The funeral service will follow at 1 P.M. at the same location.
