Betty Keirsey - On December 21, 1932, in Blodgett, MO, the world became a better place with the arrival of Betty Marie Holder. On January 24, 2020, heaven became a more colorful and joyful place with her arrival. Betty Keirsey. A daughter to Don and Dee Holder. A sister to Jerry Holder and Glenda Holder Hess. Wife. Mom. Granny Betty. Miss Betty. Grateful child of God. Archery state champion. Room mother. Sunday school teacher. School board member and its first female president. Hospital auxilian and president extraordinaire. Cancer overcomer. Friend and confidant. Blood donor supreme. Poet. Artist. Singer. Basketball player. Truth teller. Faithful Dexter Bearcats fan. #1 fan of her husband’s bluegrass band, The Black Mountain Boys. Common horse sense advice giver. Deliver of Meals on Wheels and of flowers to the homebound or in nursery homes. Chauffeur of friends to dozens of doctors’ appointments and family visits. Excellent employee. State Farm office manager and advice-giver. Seamstress. Upholsterer. Mender of busted knees and broken hearts. Fighter. Four-time stroke survivor. Motorcycle passenger. Traveler. Administrator of much-needed swats to behinds and giver of countless hugs. Baker of thousands of desserts for loved ones and friends. Fried pie and pie artist. Formidable opponent to any difficult task that dared to stand in her path.
These titles are just a few of the many manifestations of a humble life well-lived. Her proudest title was that of wife to John Kenneth Keirsey. They married on June 14, 1949, and she held that title for 58-1/2 years, when in 2007, her beloved husband went to heaven. What a glorious reunion they are having! These insufficient words are but a glimpse into the life of a person who always put others first. And while her absence will be profoundly felt, her words, her opinion, her work ethic, her recipes, her wit, and her influence will continue to hold sway with family, friends, and church and community members who were wise enough to listen.
Her six children and their families know full well the impact she has had and will continue to have in their lives. They are: son Ken Keirsey and wife Angela of Warrensburg, MO; daughter Toni Keirsey Keith and husband Dennis Keith of Dexter, MO; son Steve Keirsey and wife Debbie of Jewett, MO; daughter Lori Keirsey Mell and husband Ed Mell of Bartlett, TN; son Scott Keirsey of Memphis, TN; and son Keith Keirsey of Dexter, MO. She was so proud of her 15 grandchildren: Drew Keirsey, Hannah Keirsey, and Nate Keirsey; Carrie Mosbey and Josh Plunkett; Melissa Way and Katherine Keirsey, Eric Belcher and Kim McDowell; Lindsay Coffman and Allison Wallace; Lydia Keirsey; and Karaline, Keirstan, and Karlee Keirsey. She was also blessed with 22 great-grandchildren and with 4 great-great-grandchildren.
Well done, good and faithful servant!
Friends may call at First Baptist Church in Dexter on Friday, January 31, 2020 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Funeral services will then be conducted at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Mark Smith officiating. Interment will follow in the Blodgett Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the Stoddard County Children’s Home, PO Box 164, Dexter, Missouri 63841 or 18 Fore Life, c/o Scott Kruse, 705 Laurie Circle, Dexter, Missouri 63841
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is in charge of all arrangements.
Jackie W. Palmer Sr. son of the late John Wesley Palmer and Dorothy Robinson Palmer was born in Bernie, Missouri on June 12, 1940 and departed this life at his residence in Bernie, Missouri on January 24, 2020 at the age of 79.
Mr. Palmer was a veteran of The United States Air Force. He shared ownership with his family of Palmer’s Auto Sales & Salvage in Bernie, Missouri for years.
He was united in marriage to Mary Lou Wood in Phoenix, Arizona on August 14, 1987. Mrs. Palmer survives in their home in Bernie.
Other survivors include one son, Jackie Palmer Jr. of Dexter, Missouri; by three daughters, Seena Palmer of Dexter, Missouri, Michelle Grubbs of Fisk, Missouri and Shelly Jones of Malden, Missouri; by four brothers, Ronnie Palmer of Bernie, Missouri, Larry Palmer of Bloomfield, Missouri, Johnny Palmer of Bernie, Missouri and Randy Palmer of Wesley Chapel, Florida; by five sisters, Linda Fay Merritt of Bernie, Missouri, Sandra Kay Cryts of Bernie, Missouri, Brenda Smith of Bloomfield, Missouri, Sally Cloninger of Bernie, Missouri and Rita Burch of Bernie, Missouri; by six Grandchildren and eight Great-grandchildren; also by other relatives and many friends.
He was preceded in death other than by his parents by two sisters, Debra Palmer at infancy and Linda Jane Ford.
Friends may call at Mathis Funeral Home in Bernie, Missouri on Tuesday, January 28, 2020 from 10:00 A.M. until 1:00 P.M.
Funeral services will then be conducted in the Mathis Funeral Chapel in Bernie starting at 1:00 P.M. with Rev. Steve Fitzpatrick officiating.
Interment will follow in the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield, Missouri with Full Military Honors.
Mathis Funeral Home of Bernie, Missouri in charge of all arrangements.
Wayne Kersey, son of the late Ray Kersey and Dorothy Black Jerrell, was born on January 24, 1948 in Dexter, Missouri and departed this life on January 22, 2020 at his residence in Aid at the age of 71 years.
Mr. Kersey was a veteran of the United States Army. He was a husband, father, spiritual advisor, cowboy and a truck driver for Hall Transportation. Wayne was a patient and forgiving man, if Wayne told you something, he meant it and followed through with it. He never had a negative word about anyone, he thought of all his children and grandchildren, even if they weren’t his biologically, he was their father, grandfather, great-grandfather. He always trusted God and was baptized at the First United Pentecostal Church at Sikeston in 2001.
On May 5, 1990, in Idalia, Missouri, he was united in marriage to Sylvia Smith. Mrs. Kersey survives of their home in Aid.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by six sons, Robert Kersey and wife Julie of Sikeston, Missouri, Mike Kersey of Dexter, Missouri, Travis Kersey of Holcomb, Missouri, Jason Vaughn of Dexter, Missouri, Bradley Vaughn and wife Holly of Dexter, Missouri, and Jesse Vaughn-Kersey of New Orleans, Louisiana; by two daughters, Leisa Stoker and husband Larry of Dexter, Missouri and Shelly Reeves of Sikeston, Missouri; by three brothers, Terry Jerrell and wife Robin of Arizona, Ed Kersey and wife Tweet of Springfield, Missouri, and Verleon Kersey and wife Kathy of Colorado Springs, Colorado; by two sisters, Loretta Mitchell of Sherwood, Arkansas and Anita Billingsley and her husband Rick of Lowndes, Missouri; and by fifteen grandchildren, Heather Taylor and husband Drew, Dylan Kersey and wife Danielle, Dillon Steen and wife Jessica, Tara Mitchell, Brandan Mitchell and wife Jessica, Austin Mitchell and wife Vidalia, MaKenzie Vaughn, Revelee Vaughn, Kellie Kersey, Asher Kersey, Kayden Vaughn, Kaleb Vaughn, Kandon Vaughn, Nevan Vaughn and Riley Vaughn and by four great-grandchildren, Emaline, Cole, Willow and Kadience.
Other than by his parents, he was preceded in death by two grandchildren, Amber Marie Rolling-Steen and Jacob Lane Vaughn and by one great grandchild, Alex Mitchell.
Visitation will be held at Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Sunday, January 26, 2020 from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. A
memorial service will then be conducted in the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Chapel on Sunday, January 26, 2020 at 6:00 p.m.
Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is in charge of all arrangements.
Bruce W. Taylor, son of the late Lonnie Taylor and Dolly Pearcy Taylor, was born on May 11, 1950 in Sikeston, Missouri and departed this life on January 22, 2020 at his residence in Wappapello, Missouri at the age of 69 years.
Mr. Taylor was retired from Arvin Meritor in Dexter, Missouri. He was also a former C&C Machinist and self-employed in the Carpet Laying industry. Mr. Taylor attended New Life Baptist Church in Wappapello, Missouri.
On September 28, 1994, in Piggott, Arkansas, he was united in marriage to Yvonne Farmer Wood. Mrs. Taylor preceded him in death on February 6, 2019.
He is survived by three sons, Chad Taylor of Florida, Ty Taylor of Phoenix, Arizona, and David Wood of Wappapello, Missouri; by two daughters, Becky Taylor of Phoenix, Arizona and Melinda Jennings of Dexter, Missouri; by two brothers, Mark Taylor of Joplin, Missouri and Steve Taylor of Texas; by eleven grandchildren, Christopher Fox, Rodney Jennings, Matthew Wood, Jason Wood, Aaron Wood, Brady Wood, Eric Wood, Zoe Walton, Gunther Walton, Gage Abramo, and Emerson Taylor; and by six great-grandchildren, Erik, Lillith, Ruger, Jonah, Colby and Jemma.
Other than by his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Lonnie Taylor and Dennis Taylor.
Friends may call at Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Wednesday, January 29, 2020 from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Funeral services will then be conducted on Wednesday, January 29, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. George Howell officiating.
Interment will follow in the Wappapello Cemetery.
Rainy-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is in charge of all arrangements.
Phyllis A. King, daughter of the late W. C. Massey and Edith Henly Massey, was born on June 6, 1943 in Santa Rita, New Mexico and departed this life on January 20, 2020 at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, Missouri at the age of 76 years.
Mrs. King was a former cook for Camp Avery and a resident of Dexter, Missouri.
On May 26, 1961, in Bloomfield, Missouri, she was united in marriage to Don King. Mr. King survives of their home in Dexter.
In addition to her husband, she is survived by three sons, Christopher King and wife Dana of Troy, Missouri, Scott King and wife Laura of Moscow Mills, Missouri and Timothy King of Dexter, Missouri; by her daughter, Teresa Schwartz of Dexter, Missouri; by two brothers, Larry Massey of Aquilla, Missouri and John Massey and wife Debbie of Bloomfield, Missouri; by nine grandchildren, Ian King, Wade King, Nicole Eynard, Meagan Schwartz, Jake Schwartz, Jamie Stoops, Jessica Knaust, Nathan King and Emma King; and by three great-grandchildren, Oakley, Paisley and Theo.
Other than by her parents, she was preceded in death by her son, David Lynn King; by her brother, William Massey, by two brothers in infancy and by three sisters, Jeannie Thrower, Mae Wyatt and Vickie Moore.
Friends may call at Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Saturday, January 25, 2020 from 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
A memorial service will then be conducted in the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Chapel on Saturday, January 25, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Steve Koerner officiating.
Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 9370 Olive Boulevard, St. Louis Missouri 63132-3253.
Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is in charge of all arrangements.
