James “Bud” Russell Fritts, 60, of Poplar Bluff, MO. went home to be with his Lord and Savior Tuesday, March 12, 2019 at Mercy Hospital in St. Louis.

Bud, the son of the late Harley Russell and Reidious L. “Jimmie” Fritts, was born Nov. 15, 1958 in Poplar Bluff. He was a graduate of Poplar Bluff High School Class of 1977 and Oakland City College, where he played baseball. Bud was a member and a Deacon at First Baptist Church. He was also a supporter of Midland Church and Paul White Ministries as well as a Charter member of Fellowship General Baptist Church. Bud worked for Mingo Job Corps and loved his students and co-workers. Bud loved telling people about Jesus. He enjoyed going to his children’s sporting events and activities, coaching all sports, fishing, hunting, drawing, painting, watching the St. Louis Cardinals and spending time with his friends. The times he treasured most were being with his family.

Bud married the love of his life Gayla Turner on June 10, 1989 in Poplar Bluff. She survives.

Other survivors include two children, Jamie (Collin) Edwards and Turner Fritts; his precious grandson Elijah Edwards; two sisters, Judy (Bill) Caputo and Lori (Jimbo) Tapp; mother-in-law Betty Turner; brother-in-law Brian Turner; four nieces, Tara (Kathy) Caputo, Shanna (Richard) Carr, Kaci (Brian) Garner and Kori Tapp; three great-nephews, Kyler Carr, Keaton Carr and Kannon Carr.

The visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at First Baptist Church. The funeral service will begin at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at First Baptist Church with Rev. Paul White officiating. Burial will take place at Poplar Bluff City Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to Poplar Bluff Baseball Boosters, in care of Julie Becker, 453 County Road 4222, Poplar Bluff, MO 63901; or to Alzheimer’s Association, 3645 South Avenue, Springfield, MO 65807-5220.

Cotrell Funeral Service is honored to serve the family of James “Bud” Russell Fritts.

Betty S. Woods, daughter of the late Lonnie and Etter Maxine Hochart Beasley, was born in Gideon, Missouri on November 2, 1945, and passed away at her home near Dexter, Missouri on March 14, 2019, at the age of 73 years, 4 months and 12 days.

She had lived in Dexter most of her life. She was of the Pentecostal religion. She enjoyed reading the Bible, coloring, writing poems and painting with her grandsons.

In September of 1963, she was married to Bobby Woods in Immokale, Florida. He preceded her in death on January 21, 2010.

Surviving are two daughters, Sondra Taylor of Jackson, Paula Johnson of Dexter; two grandchildren; eight great grandchildren; one brother, Lonnie Beasley, Jr. of Michigan; and one sister, Ruby Wilson of Thayer. Other relatives and friends survive. She was preceded in death by one brother, Bobby Ammons.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, March 16, 2019, from 5:00 to 8:00 pm at the Watkins & Sons Funeral Home in Dexter.

Watkins & Sons Funeral Service of Dexter in charge of arrangements.

Betty J. Clark of Puxico, daughter of the late Harlan Lee and Willie Jane Gray Lawson, was born in Deering, Missouri on February 21, 1940, and passed away at the Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau on March 13, 2019, at the age of 79 years and 20 days.

She had lived in Poplar Bluff and moved to Puxico 16 years ago. She had worked for many years as a secretary at the Lucy Lee Hospital and had worked at the Nutrition Center. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Puxico.

On July 19, 2002, she married George Elbert Clark in Piggott, Arkansas.

Surviving are her husband, George Clark of Puxico; one daughter, Jackie Walker of Poplar Bluff; seven grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; one sister, Ann Brown of Huntville, Texas. Other relatives and friends survive. She was preceded in death by two sons, Greg and Brian Harris; two grandsons, Tyler and Garrin Bonjour; and one brother, Junior Lawson.

Memorial Services will be held Saturday, March 16, 2019, at 1:00 pm at the First Baptist Church in Puxico with Rev. Justin Miller of Puxico officiating.

Watkins & Sons Funeral Service of Puxico in charge of arrangements.

Beulah Edwards Lape, at the age of 93, reunited with her husband, parents, sisters and brothers on March 13, 2019 when she passed away at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.

Beulah was born at the family home on November 14, 1925 to John Preston and Myrtle Harlen Edwards.  She was the last of the “Edwards Girls”.  She and her sisters; Eunice, Lois, Louise and Violet shared a special bond, and they held a life-long affection for their older brothers; Russell, Warren, Paul and Estes.

Like man of her generation raised in rural Missouri during the Depression and World War II, Beulah learned the value of thrift and the dignity of work.  She found her lifelong partner in Otto Lape and they were married in 1943.  There were married 55 years when Otto died in 1998.

They worked together as farmers in the region, including a farm near Marble Hill, Missouri.  Later they were owners of a fabric store and sewing machine dealership in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.  Beulah was an accomplished designer and seamstress, and she was able to send many brides down the aisle in the wedding gown of their dreams.

With an emphasis on self-reliance and “tough it out” perseverance, they dispensed iodine and bandages in a continuous stream to children encouraged to complete their chores, ride bikes, wander the back roads and wade in creeks.  Grateful for her dedication are Dennis Lape (Betty) of Everton, Arkansas, Vickie Lape Clubb (John) of St. Charles, Missouri, Teresa Lape of Marble Hill, Missouri and Darwin Lape (Nancy) of Marble Hill, Missouri.  Beulah also is survived by five grandchildren, and eleven great-grandchildren and a generation of nieces and nephews who loved her.

Beulah was a past Worthy Matron and Otto a Past Worthy patron of the Order of the Eastern Star, where they spent many years promoting friendships and philanthropy.  

She was a member of the Baptist Church and in retirement, Beulah enjoyed a trip to the Holy Land led by a Biblical scholar.  She made many quilts for family brides and babies, as well as for infants at St. Francis Medical Center.  She enjoyed helping her youngest daughter, Teresa, geo-cache with amazing accuracy.  Her blue-ribbon winning angel food cake was a big draw at family and Walker Church reunions.

Friends may call at the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Saturday, March 16, 2019 from 10:00 to 11:00 am. 

A Memorial service will be conducted on Saturday, March 16, 2019 at 11:00 am in the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Chapel.

Donations may be made to:  St. Louis Children’s Hospital, Cancer Research, 660 S. Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110 or Donor’s choice.

Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter in charge of all arrangements.

Gary Lee Caldwell, son of the late Jack Caldwell and Nora Dees Caldwell was born on September 19, 1945 in Steele, Missouri and departed this life on March 12, 2019 in the emergency room at SoutheastHealth of Stoddard County at the age of 73 years.

Mr. Caldwell had formerly worked as a Service Manager at Autry Morlan Chevrolet and Cadillac in Dexter for numerous years.

Mr. Caldwell is survived by two daughters, Tammy Caldwell of Bloomfield, Missouri and Sherry Lee Clifton (Daniel) of Dexter, Missouri; one sister, DeAnna Hose of Columbia, Missouri; three grandchildren, Tiffany Fuchs, Nathalie Fuchs, Shyann Clifton; and two great-grandchildren, Gabby Phillips and Bentley Rankin.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Patsy Hamsey and Barbara Gans.

Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.