Lois White Mills and her twin brother Flois (Sam) white were born on May 25, 19919.  She passed away on February 3, 2013 at the age of 93.

She was born and raised in the Bethany community and remained a vital and active part of this community until she was stricken with Alzheimer's.

On July 15, 1934 she married Rev. William Harold Mills in Piggott, Arkansas. Harold was an established farmer and Lois eagerly worked alongside him as needed.  Together they raised eight children and Pastored four General Baptist Churches. She remained a faithful servant of God taking on many responsibilities within the church as needed.  Lois was best known as a Sunday school teacher and her extensive knowledge of the Bible.  She taught all ages and was loved by all who sat in her classes.

A faithful servant of God, her priorities were clear to all, service to God, service to family, service to others.  When asked by a Sunday school class to define "Saint", her husband could only think of one thing to say, "my wife."

She was preceded in death by her parents Claude and Mary White, two brothers, Flois and Harland Blythe, her husband, Harold of 42 Years, one grandson, Marcus Donald and one son in law, David Waller.

She is survived by five sons and three daughters, Donald William and Joyce of McKinney, Texas and their children, Terri, Randi and Melanie; Graydon Lyle and Bonnie of Potosi, Missouri and their children, Pam, Ron, Mitchell and Bradley;  Carrol Dean and Ruth Ann of Camdenton, Missouri and their children, Donna, Bryan and John; Thomas Boyd and Martha of West Plains, Missouri and their children Aaron and Kelley Lynn; Claudia Janet Vessell and Jim of Bernie, Missouri and their children, Jared and Evan; Marsha Lynn Mills of Kansas City, Missouri and her children, Lindsay and Amy; Michael Harold and Charlotte of Bernie, Missouri and their children, Michael and Matthew; Mary Florence Waller of Bernie, Missouri and her children, Daniel and Sierra; by thirty seven Great-grandchildren and one Great-great-grandchild.

While we grieve for her loss here on earth, the angels in heaven rejoice for a child who has come home.  Lois would want us to encourage each and everyone to accept Christ as their personal Lord and Savior and join her in Heaven for the reward that God has prepared.

Friends may call at Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Bernie, Missouri on Tuesday, February 5, 2013 from 5:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M.  

Funeral services will be conducted at Bethany General Baptist Church in Rural Campbell, Missouri on Wednesday, February 6, 2013 starting at 11:oo A.M. Interment will follow in the Bethany Cemetery.  Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Charge of Arrangements.

Memorials may be made to Bethany General Baptist Church.

Lester Strauser, son of the late Charley and Lovie Wilson Strauser, was born in Leora, Missouri on May 20, 1937, and passed away at the Crowley Ridge Care Center in Dexter, Missouri on February 3, 2013, at the age of 75 years.

He had lived in St. Louis for many years where he worked as a supervisor for McDonnell Douglas before moving back to Dexter where he worked in insurance sales. He was a member of the Dexter Elk's Lodge #2439 were he had served as Inner Guard, Lecturing Knight, and several years as a trustee.  He was also a member of the Sikeston Eagles and VFW. He had served in the Missouri National Guard and was a member of the United Methodist Church.

On April 13, 1957, he was married to Carolyn Hudson in Dexter, Missouri. She preceded him in death on March 16, 1996. On February 14, 1997, he was married Faye Pickett .

Surviving are his wife; Faye Strauser of Dexter, Missouri; two daughters, Sharon Lynn Strauser of Bloomfield, Missouri, Lesa Carol Johnson of O'Fallon, Missouri; two sons Neil Larson of Kansas City, Missouri and Shawn Larson of Springfield, Missouri; two grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; two brothers, Dr. Shirl Dean Strauser of Jonesborough, Arkansas and Lendel Strauser of Aquilla, Missouri. Other relatives and friends also survive. He was preceded in death by one brother, Chester Strauser.

Visitation will be Tuesday, February 5, 2013, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Watkins and Sons Funeral Home in Dexter, Missouri. An Elk's service will be held at 7:00 p.m.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, February 6, 2013, at 2:00 p.m. at the Watkins and Sons Chapel in Dexter, Missouri.

Interment with will be in the Dexter Cemetery in Dexter, Missouri with Watkins & Sons Funeral Service of Dexter is 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

Randall Hutchison, son of Judson and Shirley Jennings Hutchison of Bloomfield, was born on March 17, 1955 in Poplar Bluff, Missouri and died on January 30, 2013 at the Southeast Health Hospital of Cape Girardeau at the age of 57.

Mr. Hutchison was a resident of Bloomfield.  He will always be remembered for his vocal talents; which he shared with many residents of the Stoddard County community.

Besides his parents he is survived by one son and daughter-in-law, Nick Hutchison and wife Monica of Cuba, Missouri; by one brother and sister-in-law, Dennis Hutchison and wife Donna of Bloomfield and by one grandson, Ayden Hutchison.

Friends may call at the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Sunday, February 3, 2013 from NOON until 2:00 P.M. 

A memorial service will then be conducted on Sunday, February 3, 2013 at 2:00 P.M. in the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Chapel with Rev. Greg Stevens officiating. 

Interment will follow in the Bloomfield Cemetery.

Amy Dawn Smith, daughter of Marilyn Hopkins Abernathy of Dexter, Missouri, and the late Trennis Abernathy, was born on August 23, 1976, in Dexter, Missouri, and passed away on January 25, 2013, at Audrain Medical Center in Mexico, Missouri, at the age of 36.

In addition to her mother, Amy is survived by one son, Gavin Dale Smith of Bernie, Missouri; by two daughters, Brittany Smith and Adison Moore of Dexter, Missouri; by one brother, James Abernathy of Dexter, Missouri; and one sister, Christina Abernathy of Texas.

Friends may call at the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Thursday, January 31, 2013, from 12:00 P.M. to 2:00 P.M. 

Funeral services will be conducted Thursday, January 31, 2013, at 2:00 P.M., in the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Tim Ingle officiating. 

Gary Lee Allen, son of the late Shirley Ray Allen and Joyce Marie Leigh Cunningham Allen, was born on January 29, 1953, in Ogden, Utah, and passed away on January 27, 2013, at Poplar Bluff Regional Hospital in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, at the age of 59.

Mr. Allen was employed as a forklift operator at Arvin for thirty years and was a resident of Dexter.

He was united in marriage to Marian Allen in August of 1975.  He was later united in marriage to Rona Morefield on September 24, 2004, in Corning Arkansas.  Mrs. Rona Allen survives of the home.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by one son, Garrett Allen of Dexter, Missouri; by one daughter, Angie Scroggins, of Dexter, Missouri; by three step-daughters, Paula Rogers of Lowndes, Missouri, Ashley Isaac of Dexter, Missouri, and Morgan Isaac of Dexter, Missouri; by one brother, Jonas Allen, of Dittmer, Missouri; and by three sisters, Charlene Stogsdill of Arnold, Missouri, Sharon Condray of Valley Mines, Missouri, and Pauline Murphy of St. Peters, Missouri. 

He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Carl Allen.

Arrangements are being handled by Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter, Missouri.