Lee Arthur "Pops" Hester, Sr., son of the late Willie B. Hester and Grace Hester Barber, was born in Armorel, Arkansas on August 24, 1933, and departed this life at his home in Essex, Missouri on July 29, 2012, at the age of 78 years, 11 months and 4 days.

He had lived his entire life in Southeast Missouri and had lived in Essex, Missouri for over 45 years. He was honorably discharged after serving two years in the U. S. Army. He worked for the A. F. Evans family for over 35 years.

On November 13, 1967, he was blessed in matrimony to Edna Lee Buchanan in Baker, Missouri.

Surviving are his wife Edna Lee Hester of Poplar Bluff, Missouri; 11 sons, Lee Arthur Hester, Jr. of Lilbourn, MO, Earl Farr of Ft. Wayne, IN, Stanley (Linda) Farr of Ft. Wayne, IN, Ronney (Yvette) Hester, Sr. of Helendale, CA, Dewayne Hester of Jacksonville, AR, Ronnie Lee (Sophia) Buchanan of Sikeston, MO, Terry D. (Sandra) Hester of Huntsville, Alabama, Eric Lee (Rose Maria) Hester of Tampa, FL, Jeffrey (Trina) McKeller of Clarksville, TN, Arthur Lee (Dorothy) Session of Jefferson City, MO, Alfred Charon Session of Jefferson City, MO; 6 daughters, Brenda K. (Charles) Kellum of New Madrid, MO, Delois (Ronnie) McComb of Poplar Bluff, MO, Vanessa Renee (Rosalito) Gutierrez of Tipton, OK, Angela (Aaron) Bush of Poplar Bluff, MO, Candice Kay (Dale) Kilgore of Poplar Bluff, MO, Schfonia Porche' Session of Jefferson City, MO. He was preceded in death by his parents, 2 infant children, and 3 sisters, Beatrice Davis, Volla Bonner and Christine Combs

He departed this life with 52 grandkids and 46 great grandkids. Uncle Lee as he was called by many, was an integral part of raising so many nieces and nephews. There are a lot of men that he was very instrumental in helping to become the men that they are today.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, August 4, 2012, after 1:00 p.m. at Watkins and Sons Funeral Home in Dexter, Missouri.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 4, 2012, at the Watkins & Sons Chapel in Dexter, Missouri with Pastor Ronnie Webb of Poplar Bluff officiating.

Interment will be on Monday August 6, 2012 at 10:00 am in the Missouri Veteran's Cemetery in Bloomfield, Missouri with Watkins & Sons Funeral Service of Dexter in charge of arrangements.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.watkinsfuneralhome.com

Robert Tilson, son of the late Robert Tilson Sr. and Eula Butler Tilson was born on December 16, 1929 in Earle, Arkansas and departed this life at his residence in Parma, Missouri on July 30, 2012 at the age of 82.

Mr. Tilson was a member of the Mt. Calvary Baptist Church in Parma, former Truck Driver with Ohio Pacific Transportation, and a resident of Parma.

In January 1978 he was united in marriage to Arletha McBride in Bloomfield, Missouri. Mrs. Tilson survives of the home in Parma.

Besides his wife, survivors include three sons, Otis Johnson of Atlanta, Georgia; Larry Williamson of Memphis, Tennessee, and George Jackson of Atlanta, Georgia; by one daughter, Maudessa Rose of Naperville, Illinois; also by twenty-four grandchildren and several great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by two sons, Lewis Jackson and Robert Williamson Jr.; also by one sister, Derotha Kirkwood.

Friends may call at the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter from 11:00 A.M. until 1:00 P.M. Saturday, August 4, 2012. Funeral services will then be conducted on Saturday, August 4, 2012 at 1:00 P.M. in the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Chapel in Dexter with Minister Reginald Johnson officiating. Interment will follow in the Macedonia Cemetery in Malden, Missouri.

Martha J. Boyles, daughter of the late Abe and Sarah Welch Malonee, was born in Oakland, Arkansas on March 31, 1924, and passed away at her daughter's home in Dexter, Missouri on July 29, 2012, at the age of 88 years, 3 months and 28 days.

Martha lived in the Dexter and Essex areas most of her life. She attended the Lighthouse Christian Center in Dexter. She had worked as an inspector in a hat factory for over 20 years.

She was married to Ransom Boyles, he preceded her in death.

Surviving are one son, William Boyles of Bloomfield, Missouri; one daughter, Shirley Culverhouse of Dexter, Missouri; nine grandchildren; and twelve great-grandchildren. Other relatives and friends also survive. She was preceded in death by two sons, Eddie James Boyles and Johnny Boyles; one brother and two sisters.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 31, 2012, from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. at the Watkins and Sons Funeral Home in Dexter, Missouri.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, August 1, 2012, at 10:00 a.m. at the Watkins and Sons Chapel in Dexter with Rev. Tim Russell of Dexter, Missouri officiating.

Interment will be in Taylor Cemetery in Essex, Missouri with Watkins & Sons Funeral Service of Dexter in charge of arrangements.

Rose Marie Loveless, daughter of the late Perry Frazier and Mamie Clay Frazier was born on October 3, 1933 in Detroit, Michigan and died on July 29, 2012 at her residence in Dexter at the age of 78.

Mrs. Loveless was resident of Dexter.

On August 25, 1949 she was united in marriage to Johney Robert Loveless in Detroit, Michigan. Mr. Loveless preceded her in death on January 21, 1991.

She is survived by one son, Johnny R. Loveless Jr. of Sarasota, Florida; by four daughters, Marilyn McBroom, Barbara Leathers, Dorothy Rawls all of Dexter and Debra Mosbey of Dudley; by seven grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.  Besides her husband and parents she was preceded in death by two brothers, Howard Frazier and Junior “Juney” Frazier.

Interment was conducted Monday, July 30, 2012 at the Dexter cemetery with Rev. Kenneth Biggs officiating. Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is in charge of all arrangements.

Barbara June Gard, 72, of Dexter, Missouri, died July 28, 2012 at Clearview Nursing and Rehab in Sikeston, Missouri.

Barbara was born June 12, 1940 in Disco, Michigan. Barbara has resided in Dexter all her life and worked for Dexter Hospital, Lucas Florist and most recently was a decorator for Health Systems Inc.

She married May 1, 1964 to Don Gard, who survives at home.  Two sons survive, Steven and wife Kristen of Naperville, Illinois, and Darrin and wife Crystal of Dothan, Alabama: by four grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.  She is survived by three sisters, Judy Lincoln and husband Jim, Patty Greene and husband Jim, and Norma Crane and husband Gary: by one brother, Ron Atherton and wife Judi: by her step-mother, Melba Atherton and step-brother, David Smith, along with many other relatives and friends.

Preceded in death by her parents, Raymond and Lillian Atherton: by one brother Marion Dwain Atherton.

Friends may call at the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter from 11:00 A.M. until 2:00 P.M., Tuesday, July 31, 2012.  Funeral services will then be conducted at 2:00 P.M. in the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Chapel with Rev. McGhee officiating.  Interment will follow in the Dexter Cemetery.