Theresa Elizabeth Martin Newton of Bernie, Missouri, passed away at the Missouri Southern Healthcare Hospital in Dexter, Missouri, on January 4, 2013, at the age of 92 surrounded by her family. She was a retired 1st grade teacher having taught at Bernie Schools.
Theresa was born on a cold winter's day, January 29, 1920, to Myrtice Estelle Dunlap Martin and William Hughes Martin of Clarkton. She was so cute they nicknamed her "Bug." Bug was a tomboy who loved to climb trees, practice archery and participate in other active sports. She was quite bright and one of only a few women of her generation to attend college. Rather than finishing her degree, she became distracted by a handsome young farmer/agriculture student, James Edwin Newton. Ed was infatuated with her and determine to make her his bride. She was not quite as thrilled with him as he had not the same devotion to Christ as she. Ed eagerly followed her to church and soon accepted Jesus. They were married just shortly before Ed was shipped to Europe during World War II.
After the war, Theresa and Ed tried their hand in the chicken hatchery business. Both were trained for it in Iowa and Theresa distinguished herself as the lone female graduate in a class of over 100. The couple returned to Pocahontas, Arkansas, to begin their business. With the upcoming birth of their first child, they returned to Missouri. Martha was born in December of 1949, a blessed tax deduction. With a baby, the couple decided to return to farming to be near family. Soon they were blessed with a second child, Sharon Gay in September of 1952.
As the family grew it was clear that more income was needed, Theresa began teaching first and second grade with her two years of college. Driven by her love of learning, she returned to college. It was a family affair! Ed and the girls would commute with her to night school during the long semesters. In the summer, Theresa and the girls would live in a boarding house in Cape Girardeau while Theresa attended classes and the girls busied themselves with summer school on the campus. She received her degree in 1965.
Theresa loved basketball and watching the Dow Jones, but her passion was teaching. She was dedicated to her students and often went the extra mile. She implemented new education strategies and programs, such as Head Start, that gave young children an extra boost to ensure their educational success. She mentored new teachers as well as quite a few school administrators. She was recognized by Southeast Missouri State University as the Outstanding Educator of the Year--the first award of its kind for the College of Education. In 2010, the Bernie School Board inducted her into the Bernie High School Hall of Fame.
Theresa's faith was the driving force for all her decisions and the church was the center of her life. She was a founding member of Northside Baptist Church and remained faithful till her death. During her years there she served on various boards and committees, taught Sunday School, Bible School and was very active in the music program. She continued to perform as the church pianist until she was 85.
Theresa was preceded in death by her husband, James Edwin and her grandson, Benjamin Heath Fears. She is survived by her daughters, Martha Ann and Ron Garber, and Sharon Gay and Chris Tanner; grandchildren, Matthew Newton Garber, Jayme Denise and Nathan Harris, Jessica Newton and James Borowy, and Sage Ann Newton Garber; step grandchildren, Cortney Ann and Seth Sherman, and Christin Lynn Tanner; great grandchildren, Ella Jayme Harris and Benjamin Stryker Harris; step grandchildren, Tommy Tran and Jakob Ranley Harris.
Visitation is from 6 pm to 8 pm, this evening, January 7, 2013 at the Northside Baptist Church in Bernie, Missouri.
Funeral Services will be conducted at 11 am, Tuesday, January 8, 2013 at the Northside Baptist Church in Bernie, Mo with the Rev. O.H. Brooks and Bro. Tim Ingle officiating. Interment will follow in the Bernie Cemetery in Bernie, MO.
In Lieu of flowers memorial may be made to the Northside Baptist Church in Bernie, MO or Ben Fears Scholarship Fund, C/O Bernie School, 516 W. Main St., Bernie, MO 63822.
George Eldon Waggoner, son of the late Cecil Elmer Waggoner and Edith Lenora Perry Waggoner, was born on February 11, 1936, in rural Dexter and passed away on January 3, 2013, at Golden Living Center in Dexter, Missouri, at the age of 76.
Mr. Waggoner was a member of the Army Reserves and a lifetime resident of Dexter.
He is survived by three daughters, Rhonda Sherman of Dexter, Missouri, Donita Lintz of Dexter, Missouri, and Candy Miller of Dexter, Missouri; by one brother, Gordon Waggoner, of Bloomfield, Missouri; by four sisters, Dorthy McClard of Dexter, Missouri, Arlene Eubanks of Dexter, Missouri, Reva Raymo of Dexter, Missouri, and Marjorie Waggoner of Poplar Bluff, Missouri; and by five grandchildren, Derek Sherman, Shelby Lintz, Brett Miller, Matthew Miller and Mary Katherine Miller.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Hiland Waggoner and Merlin Waggoner; and by one sister, Joyce Eskew.
Friends may call at the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Sunday, January 6, 2013, from 1:00 P.M. to 2:00 P.M. Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 P.M., January 6, 2013, at the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Jim Hoyt officiating. Interment will follow in the Sycamore Cemetery in rural Dexter, Missouri.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to 18 Fore Life, c/o Scott Kruse, 705 Laurie Circle, Dexter, MO 63841
Frankie Hunsperger, son of the late Thomas and Pearl Driver Hunsperger, was born in Koshkanong, Missouri on August 21, 1928, and passed away at the Golden Living Center in Dexter, Missouri on January 2, 2013, at the age of 84.
He had lived in Dexter for 40 years. He was of Baptist Faith.
On August 10, 1954 he was married to Rita Turner in Charleston, Missouri. She preceded him in death on August 24, 2011
Surviving are his two sons: Tom Hunsperger of Dexter, Missouri and Larry "Dinky" Hunsperger of Malden, Missouri. Three daughters: Bobbie Turnbow of Malden, Missouri, Johanna Whitfield of Grayling, Michigan and Kay Stafford of Essex, Missouri. Twenty grandchildren, twenty one great-grandchildren. Other relatives and friends also survive. She was preceded in death by one son: Frank Ray Hunsperger. Two daughters: Elizabeth Jean McCulley and Tammy Lynn Burnett. Six brothers and two sisters.
Visitation will be Tuesday, January 8, 2013, after 10:00 AM at the Wayside Baptist Church in Koshkanong, Missouri.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, January 8, 2013, at 11:00 AM at the Wayside Baptist Church in Koshkonong, Missouri.
Interment will be in the Wayside Cemetery in Koshkonong, Missouri with Watkins & Sons Funeral Service of Dexter in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.watkinsfuneralhome.com.Watkins & Sons Funeral Service info@watkinsfuneralhome.com or phone 573 624 3548.
Shirley Ann Froman, daughter of the late Monroe and Lucille Poe Dunning, was born in Advance, Missouri on January 26, 1936, and passed away at the St. Frances Hosptial in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, Missouri on January 3, 2013, at the age of 76 years.
She had lived in Paragould Arkansas for several years before moving to Advance, Missouri. She was a member of the Berrong General Baptist Church near Zalma, Missouri.
She was married to Ronald Froman in 1973 and he preceded her in death in 2009.
Survive is one brother Jerry Dunning of Advance, Missouri. Other family and friends also survive.
Visitation will be held on Monday January 7, 2013 at 10:00 AM. at the Watkins and Sons Funeral Home in Puxico, Missouri.
Funeral services will be held on Monday January 7, 2013 at 12:00 p.m. at the Watkins and Sons Chapel in Puxico, Missouri with Rev. Fred Ritter of Advance, Missouri officiating.
Interment will follow in the Mount Pleasant-Jimmerson Cemetery near Gipsy, Missouri with Watkins & Sons Funeral Service of Puxico in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.watkinsfuneralhome.com.
Watkins & Sons Funeral Service info@watkinsfuneralhome.com or phone 573 624 3548.
He had lived in Dexter for 40 years. He was of Baptist Faith.
On August 10, 1954 he was married to Rita Turner in Charleston, Missouri. She preceded him in death on August 24, 2011.
Surviving are his two sons: Tom Hunsperger of Dexter, Missouri and Larry "Dinky" Hunsperger of Malden, Missouri. Three daughters: Bobbie Turnbow of Malden, Missouri, Johanna Whitfield of Grayling, Michigan and Kay Stafford of Essex, Missouri. Twenty grandchildren, twenty one great-grandchildren. Other relatives and friends also survive. She was preceded in death by one son: Frank Ray Hunsperger. Two daughters: Elizabeth Jean McCulley and Tammy Lynn Burnett. Six brothers and two sisters.
Visitation will be Tuesday, January 8, 2013, after 10:00 AM at the Wayside Baptist Church in Koshkanong, Missouri.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, January 8, 2013, at 11:00 AM at the Wayside Baptist Church in Koshkonong, Missouri.
Interment will be in the Wayside Cemetery in Koshkonong, Missouri with Watkins & Sons Funeral Service of Dexter in charge of arrangements.
