Mary Catherine Blevins, daughter of the late Ralph Beaird and Cassie Oneida Murphy Beaird was born on August 2, 1934 at rural Bernie and departed this life in her residence near Bernie on November 21, 2012 at the age of 78.
Mrs. Blevins was a member of the Powe Church of Christ, a home-maker and a resident of rural Bernie. She was a beloved mother, grandmother, aunt, and sister and will be deeply missed. God has you in his arms, and we will always have you in our hearts.
She was united in marriage to Robert Blevins on October 2, 1954 at Hernando, Mississippi and to this union six children were born. Mr. Blevins survives of the home near Bernie.
Besides her husband, she is survived by three sons, David Blevins and wife Wanda of Bernie, Randy Blevins of Bernie and Mark Blevins of St. Louis: by three daughters and their husbands, Sharon and Dennis Johnson of Wentzville, Becky and Kent Weathers of Kearney and Marilyn and Mark Hamilton of Allen, Texas: by three brothers, Don Beaird of St. Louis, Wesley Beaird and Ronnie Beaird both of Bernie: by two sisters, Neva Wilson and Audrey Hatchel both of Bernie: by twelve grandchildren, Casey Arnold, Rachel White, Matthew Blevins, Austin Blevins, Nolan Blevins, Dillon Blevins, Darian Blevins, Cassie Weathers, Seth Weathers, Kaley Hamilton, Sarah Hamilton and Megan Hamilton: by five great-grandchildren, Cade Arnold, Creed Arnold, Cymber Arnold, Brooks White and Kasen Blevins.
Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Weston Beaird and Kenneth Beaird: by four sisters, Ruby Nunn, Geneva Poston, Louella Smith and Reva Medlin.
Friends may call at the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Bernie from 5:00 until 8:00 P.M, Saturday, November 24, 2012. Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 P.M., Sunday, November 25, 2012 in the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Chapel with Edward Williamson officiating. Interment will follow in the Bernie Cemetery.
Jackie Lawrence Cato, Sr., son of the late Doyle Cato and Opal Seachrist Cato Anders, was born on June 16, 1950, in Boydsville, Arkansas, and departed this life in the emergency room of Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center, Poplar Bluff, Missouri, on November 18, 2012, at the age of 62
Mr. Cato was a self-employed auto mechanic and a resident of Puxico.
He was united in marriage to Patty Burr on September 1, 1990, in Anchorage, Alaska. Mrs. Cato survives at the home.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by one son, Jack Cato, Jr., and wife, Sheylyn, of Eagle River, Alaska; by one step-son, Justin Jones, and wife, Teresa, of Concrete, Washington; by one daughter, Candie Antkowiak, and husband, Rob, of Anchorage, Alaska; by two brothers, Verl Cato, and wife, Kathy, of Dexter, Missouri, and Randy Anders, and wife, Sandy, of Boydsville, Arkansas; and by four grandchildren, Brandon, Zachary, Colton and Dustin.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Donnie Cato and Irvin Cato; and one sister Carol Householder.
Services held for Mr. Cato’s family only.
Billie J. “Catfish” McClure, son of the late Luther McClure and Thelma Shipley McClure, was born on December 6, 1931, in Clinton, Arkansas, and departed this life at his residence in Bloomfield, Missouri, on November 18, 2012, at the age of 80 years.
Mr. McClure was a former employee with the St. Louis Ship Yards and had also worked as a farmer.
On August 11, 1954, he was united in marriage to Jean Bruce in Bell City, Missouri. Mrs. McClure survives of their home in Bloomfield.
Besides his wife he is survived by three sons, James Allen “Bo” McClure and wife, Sally, of Loganville, Georgia, Robert Eugene McClure and friend, Cindy, of Bloomfield and Billy Gene McClure and wife, Cheryl, of Bloomfield; by two daughters, Peggy Sue Kennedy and husband, Rob, of Bernie and Pamela JoAnn McClure and friend, Rick, of Wappapello, Missouri; by three brothers, Gene, Orvan and L.J. McClure; by five sisters, Shirley, Margaret, Owdia, Patricia and Ruby; by eleven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by one son, Scott Edward McClure; by two brothers, Weldon and Carl; and by one sister, Lucille.
Friends may call at the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Tuesday, November 20, 2012 from 5:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. Funeral services will be conducted on Wednesday, November 21, 2012, at 11:00 A.M. in the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Chapel in Dexter with Rev. Dale Holman officiating. Interment will follow in the Walker Cemetery near Bloomfield.
The Rev. Tony Kevin Eskew, most commonly known to many as Brother Kevin, passed away Tuesday, November 13, 2012 at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, surrounded by his beloved family and friends. Kevin served as Pastor of the First General Baptist Church of Bloomfield, Missouri for 35 years.
Kevin was born on February 22, 1952 in Piggott, Arkansas to Vaval Royal Eskew and Mary Ellen Smith Eskew, both deceased.
Kevin is survived by his precious wife Becky, whom he married on June 2, 1973, in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. He is also survived by a daughter, Tonya Skinner, and her husband, Bruce, of Cape Girardeau, and their daughters Sierra and Alexis; a son, Tim Eskew of Kennett; a sister, Sharon Vernon of Piggott; and a brother, Kim Eskew and his wife, Karen, of Springdale, Arkansas. In addition to these, Kevin is survived by numerous sisters-in-law, cousins, nephews, nieces and his beloved church congregation and community.
Kevin and Becky met while both were attending Oakland City University in Indiana, where Kevin received his Bachelors of Arts degree in Religious Studies. Kevin later received his Master’s degree in Christian Counseling from Liberty University, in Lynchburg, Virginia.
Kevin served as Pastor at Henderson, Kentucky, when he and Becky’s oldest child Tonya was born. They went on to Pastor in Decatur, Illinois, before being called in October 1977 to serve at First General Baptist Church of Bloomfield, where their son Tim was born.
While in Bloomfield, Kevin has served on numerous committees and boards and was frequently in charge of the city-wide Memorial Day services at the Stoddard County Courthouse. Many folks in the community turned to Kevin to preach their family member’s funeral services, to counsel with them in times of trouble and to join them in marriage. Kevin also served on the Ministerial Alliance for over three decades, and was the first president of the General Baptist Council of Associations.
Kevin preached numerous revival services in many towns all over Missouri and Arkansas. He published several Sunday school lessons for the General Baptist denominational literature, and his final lessons will be featured this December in all the lesson books distributed to the denomination. Last year, Kevin was proud to be the keynote speaker at the Oakland City University Founder’s Day event.
If you knew Kevin, you knew he was an amazing man of God and lived his life as an example of how Christians should live, love and serve others. You knew that he loved his family deeply and that they were his joy. You knew that he was a faithful husband and loved to spoil his precious wife Becky. You knew that his two granddaughters, Sierra and Lexi, were the absolute lights of his life, and that every chance he got to go and “kidnap” them from school or their house to spend time with him, he did. You knew that he was extremely proud of his daughter Tonya and believed her to be the best teacher in Missouri. You knew that his son-in-law Bruce was someday going to “run a university” and loved to refer to him as Dr. Skinner. You knew that if his son Tim was coaching a basketball game that this proud Dad was probably sitting right behind him cheering him on knowing that he was the best coach around. You knew that he was first and foremost an Arkansas Razorback fan and that the Hogs held a special place in his heart, even forcing a Missouri congregation to “Call those hogs!” You knew that Kevin and his brother Kim had an incredible bond and love for each other that few have ever experienced. You also knew of his love for everything Disney and one of the highlights of his life was taking those beautiful granddaughters on their very first visit to his favorite place on Earth.
Several people on Facebook, in social media and in a newspaper article have referred to Bro. Kevin Eskew as “one of the greatest men they have ever known.” That would be news to Kevin, because he was such a humble servant of God, answering God’s call into the ministry at the age of 16. He will be deeply missed.
Under the direction of Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home of Dexter, visitation will be held on Friday, November 16, 2012 from 4:00-8:00 p.m. at First General Baptist Church, 501 Christian Drive in Bloomfield, Missouri. Services will be held at the church on Saturday, November 17 at 11:00 a.m., with Pastor Greg Stevens presiding. Burial will be held immediately following the service in the Bloomfield Cemetery. Pallbearers are Tim Eskew, Kim Eskew, Bruce Skinner, Tony Eskew, Chad Eskew and Dustin Hicks.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Tony Kevin Eskew Endowed Scholarship Fund at Oakland City University, 138 North Lucria, Oakland City, Indiana 47660.
