Jim Miller, son of the late Otis Miller and Muriel Ward Miller was born on August 2, 1941 in Dexter, MO and departed this life on January 28, 2020 at his residence in Dexter at the age of 78.
Mr. Miller had two loves – his family and his farm. He graduated high school at the age of 16 and had a full ride scholarship to the University of Missouri, instead he decided to stay near family and learned everything he needed right from his tractor seat. He was a member of the Missouri Young Farmers Association and a recipient of the FFA State Farmer award in 1960. He was also an honorary lifetime member of the Bootheel Four Wheelers Association, where he provided lots of commentary at every truck pull he attended. He and his wife Karen were lifetime members of the Girl Scouts and they volunteered many hours at Camp Latonka. He was also a member of the Essex United Methodist Church.
He married the love of his life, Karen Sue Mann in Dexter on November 22, 1962. They were married nearly 53 years until her passing on November 9, 2015.
He is survived by his daughter, Lori and husband Eric Schiller of Nashville, Tennessee; by his only grandson, Landon and wife Ashley Miller of Dexter; his great grandson Levi James Miller; his daughter in law, Pam Miller of Essex; sisters in law, Brenda Miller of Eldon, Missouri and Nancy Whitney of Midland, Michigan and by several nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by his only son, James Keith Miller; his brothers, Glenn Miller and Gale Miller; his sister, Brenda Pardon and sister in law, Susan Miller.
The family would like to especially thank Ashley Tilley for the loving care she provided Jim over the last several years and all the caregivers from VNA home health and hospice who provided comfort in his last days.
Visitation will be conducted on Friday, January 31, 2020 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. in the Mathis Funeral Chapel in Dexter.
Funeral services will be conducted on Saturday, February 1, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. in the Mathis Funeral Chapel in Dexter with Rev. Roy Sherfield officiating.
Interment will follow in the Essex Cemetery.
Charles Richard Bailey, son of the late Britten Bailey and Pansy Glasser Bailey, was born on July 19, 1943 in Malden, Missouri and departed this life on January 28, 2020 at Southeast Health of Stoddard County in Dexter, Missouri at the age of 76 years.
Mr. Bailey was a veteran of the United States Air Force, serving during the Vietnam War. He and his brothers were former owners of the Bailey Brothers/Pleasure Market Grocery Store in Malden, Missouri and he was a former institutional food sales representative. Richard was a member of the First Southern Baptist Church in Malden, Missouri and served as a Deacon. He later attended Friendship Baptist Church in Dexter and he was a resident of Dexter, Missouri. Richard loved spending time with his wife, Marla, and enjoyed being outside working in their yard. He loved his family and will be dearly missed.
On April 30, 1966, in Dexter, Missouri, he was united in marriage to Marla Kitchens. Mrs. Bailey survives of their home in Dexter.
In addition to his wife, Marla, he is survived by two sons, Paul Bailey and wife Julie of California, Missouri and John Bailey and wife Kim of New Franklin, Missouri; by his sister-in-law, Earlene Bailey of Malden, Missouri; and by five grandchildren, Emma, Mason, Gabriel, Carter, and Ella.
Other than by his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Galen Rudolph Bailey and Billy Glaser Bailey; and by his sister, LaNelle Sturgeon.
Friends may call at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Friday, January 31, 2020 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Funeral services will then be conducted on Friday, January 31, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. Interment will follow at the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery at Bloomfield.
Memorials may be made to 18 Fore Life, c/o Scott Kruse, 705 Laurie Circle, Dexter, Missouri 63841 or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee, 38105.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is in charge of all arrangements.
Macauther Lane Richard, 37 of Bell City, Missouri died Thursday, January 16, 2020 at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. He was born May 7, 1982 in Dexter, Missouri to Odis J. and Shirley E. Gibson Richard. He married Angela Gail Bone who survives of the home.
He worked for Union Hall Local 1.
He is also survived by a son, Lexington Richard of Dexter and a sister, Dana Bennet of St. Louis, Missouri.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
No services scheduled at this time.
Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel of Scott City is in charge of arrangements.
Leona Lois Griffin, daughter of the late Wenzil Crow and Ruby Leona Creg Crow was born in Bernie, Missouri on November 15, 1935 and departed this life at Saint Francis Medical Center ER in Cape Girardeau, Missouri on January 27, 2020 at the age of 84.
Mrs. Griffin was a homemaker and a member of Northside Baptist Church of Bernie.
She was united in marriage to Dee Eugene Griffin in Bernie, Missouri on July 15, 1958. Mr. Griffin preceded his wife in death on February 11, 2019.
Survivors include one son, Mark Dwight Griffin of Wylie, Texas; one daughter, Linda Diane Siebert of Cape Girardeau, Missouri; by three brothers, Ed Crow, Keith Crow and Darell Crow all of Dexter, Missouri; by one sister, Linda Smothers of Branson, Missouri; by three grandchildren, Griffin, Garrett and Mallory Siebert all of Cape Girardeau, Missouri; also by other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death other than by her parents and her husband, by one brother Dean Crow.
Friends may call at Mathis Funeral Home in Bernie, Missouri on Thursday, January 30, 2020 from 5:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M.
Funeral services will be conducted on Friday Morning, January 31, 2020 starting at 11:00 A.M. with Rev. Matthew Tanner officiating.
Interment will follow in the Bernie Cemetery.
Mathis Funeral Home of Bernie in charge of all arrangements
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.
