Kenneth D. White, 66, of Bloomfield, MO, passed away April 18, 2018 at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.  He was born on October 8, 1951 in Bragg City, MO, the son of Flaudie and Lillian Spence White.

Kenneth had worked for MODOT for several years; working out of the Advance Shed.  He was ordained at St. Joe General Baptist Church in 1979.  He had been a General Baptist minister for many years.  His faith was strong.  He had baptized and officiated over the weddings of his nieces and nephews.

Kenneth and Velma Cooper were united in marriage on December 5, 1970 at Oak Ridge General Baptist Church near Swinton, MO and she survives of the home.

Loving survivors include: his wife, Velma White of the home; three brothers, Bill White of Union, MO, Jim White of Illinois and Daniel White of Wappappello, MO; three sisters, Christine Smith of Sikeston, Sheila Gee of Sikeston and Jeannie White of Sikeston; several nieces, nephews and family members that loved him greatly.

He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers and a sister.

Visitation was held on Saturday April 21, 2018 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Morgan Funeral Chapel in Advance, MO. 

A funeral service followed at 12:00 p.m. at the chapel with Rev. Gary Cooper officiating. 

Burial will follow at Oak Ridge Cemetery near Swinton, MO.

Ruby Florence Barks, daughter of the late Glen and Rosa Richmond Wills, was born in McGee, Missouri on May 9, 1936, and passed away at her home in Puxico, Missouri on April 21, 2018, at the age of 81 years, 11 months and 12 days.

Ruby had lived in St. Louis for 20 years and the McGee and Puxico, Missouri areas the rest of her life. She was a member of the First General Baptist Church in Puxico. She enjoyed Crochet, Quilting, Embroidery, Cooking for her family and taking care of her husband.

On August 21, 1954, she was married to Rev. Lloyd Barks in Zalma, Missouri. He preceded her in death on August 25, 2012.

Surviving are one son and wife, Steve & Lesa Barks of Gilbertsville, Kentucky, four daughters & husbands, Shelia & Steve Jones of Puxico, Karen & Allen Hughes of Puxico, Sharon & Rick Lang of Cape Girardeau, Cheryl Martin of Advance; ten grandchildren; fourteen great grandchildren; one great great grandchild; two sisters, Betty Warren of Granite City, Illinois, and Thelma Helm of Puxico. Other family and friends also survive. She was preceded in death by a grandson, Ross Simmers, one brother, Joy Wills, two sisters, Ilene Lacey and Lorene Daves.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, April 24, 2018, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the First General Baptist Church in Puxico, Missouri.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, April 25, 2018, at 11:00 a.m. at the First General Baptist Church in Puxico, Missouri with the Rev. Kenneth Lambert of Bloomfield, officiating; Rev. Steve Jones of Puxico and Rev. Phil Warren of St. Ann assisting.

Interment will follow at the Puxico Cemetery in Puxico, Missouri with Watkins & Sons Funeral Service of Puxico in charge of arrangements.

Memorials may be made to Operation Christmas Box, c/o First General Baptist Church, 191 N Cemetery Rd, Puxico, MO  63960

Mary Jo Kinder, daughter of the late Thomas Gromer and Edna Estelle Brack Gromer was born on April 29, 1938 in Hunterville, Missouri and departed this life on April 19, 2018 at her residence in Bloomfield, Missouri at the age of 79 years.

Mrs. Kinder was a former Hospice Aid for the Visiting Nurse Association.  She was a member of the Calvary Baptist Church in Dexter, a resident of Bloomfield, formerly of Dexter.

On May 28, 1981, she was united in marriage to Arthur Lee Kinder in Dexter, Missouri.  Mr. Kinder preceded her in death on February 20, 2016.

Survivors include: two sons, Bobby Powell (Tammy) of Broadhead, Wisconsin; Michael (Julie) Conway of Sikeston, Missouri; by three daughters, Debbie Nelson of Cabool, Missouri, Donna Gravil (Joy) of Tulsa, Oklahoma and Daronda Brown (John) of East Prairie, Missouri; by two brothers, A. D. Gromer of Illinois and John Gromer of Detroit Michigan; by two sisters, Dorothy Lewis of Bell City, Missouri and Stella Absher of Rayville, Louisiana; by one step-son, Keith Kinder (Sherry) of Sikeston, Missouri; by one step-daughter, Pamela White of Gordonville; by thirteen grandchildren, twenty-six great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren.

Besides her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by one daughter, Ranee Powell; by one brother, Larry Gromer; by two sisters, Naomi Reaves and Bea Pullum.

Friends may call at the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Monday, April 23, 2018 from 9:00 to 10:00 AM. 

Funeral services will be conducted on Monday at 10:00 AM in the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Chapel with Rev. Danny Collins officiating. 

Interment will follow at the Chalk Bluff Cemetery.  

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: VNA Hospice, 1124 Independence Avenue, Kennett, Mo 63857.

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

David Ray Flowers, son of the late John Claude Flowers and Betty Jean Bonner Flowers was born on March 12, 1951 and departed this life on April 20, 2018 at his daughter’s residence in Puxico, Missouri at the age of 67 years.

Mr. Flowers was in the United States Army.  He was a former farmer and had worked at Faurecia in Dexter, Missouri.  He was a residence of Bernie, Missouri.

On May 25, 1973, he was united in marriage to Terry Lynn Bowman in Bernie, Missouri.  Terry preceded him in death on August 10, 2017.

Survivors include: one son, David Ray Flowers (Stephanie) of Arlington, Tennessee; by one daughter, Jamie Ann Placher (Perry) of Puxico, Missouri; by five grandchildren, Calvin Flowers, Luke Flowers, Addie Flowers, Holden Placher and Kelsi Placher.

Friends may call at the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Bernie on Monday, April 23, 2018 from 9:00 to 11:00 AM. 

Services will be conducted at 11:00 AM in the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Chapel in Bernie with Ray Placher officiating. 

Interment will follow in the Bernie Cemetery.

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

Leila LaJune Hardin Dodson passed away peacefully at her home at rural Catron, MO in the early morning hours of Friday, April 20, 2018 while surrounded by her loving family.

Leila was born in Dexter, MO on October 11, 1961 to Hubert and Peggy Snider Hardin. Leila grew up on the family farm where she learned to cook at an early age and was well known for her cookies and desserts. 

Leila attended Parma Schools and graduated in May 1979. She was a proud Parma Pirate cheerleader, drum majorette and Cotton Ball Queen. After graduation Leila began working at Radcliffe Gin Company and continued working there for DG&G Cotton Gin until 2018.

June 10, 1991 she was blessed with her precious daughter, Stephanie Lerlen Gregory. Two more blessings came her way with her grandchildren, Paisley Jane and Jax Douglas Pannell.

Leila loved the farm life, sitting on her porch and watching sunsets and watching Cardinal baseball. She remained a true farm girl living on the family farm where she grew up riding her bicycle and her Honda motorcycle. Current River was her favorite place to go camping. She enjoyed going there as a child and carried on the tradition with Stephanie. Leila’s smile was bright, beautiful and contagious. She loved to laugh and tell detailed stories- and oh my did she ever! Animals were special to Leila. As a child, she adopted a variety of abandoned animals.

On May 22, 2004 she and Jonathan Dodson were married at Eureka Springs, Arkansas. He preceded her in death on April 18, 2011.

Leila leaves behind her loving daughter, Stephanie Gregory Pannell of Catron, MO along with grandchildren, Paisley Jane and Jax Douglas Pannell; two step daughters, Paityn and Kaity Dodson and step grandson, Jon Dodson. Other loving family members are her mother, Peggy Hardin; brothers, Dale Hardin, Yancey and Angela Hardin of Catron, MO. Leila’s nieces and nephews were very special to her. Bradley, Ben and Amanda Hardin of Catron; Sarah and Jarrett Lawfield of Kewanee; Jessica and John Hunter of Dexter; and Casey and Trey White of Catron. 

Leila attended Lavalle Missionary Baptist Church in Lavalle, MO with her family friends and neighbors of the small community. She was baptized at a young age and she enjoyed reading her Bible. 

Visitation was held at the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Sunday, April 22, 2018 from 11:00 to 2:00 P.M. 

Funeral services were conducted on Sunday at 2:00 P.M. in the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Chapel in Dexter with Tim Woods officiating. 

Interment will follow at the Essex Cemetery.  

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Misty’s Mission, 100 Washington Circle, Senath, MO 63876.

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