Clifford Ray Simptkins Sr., son of Evelyn Floyd Crump and the late Richard Simptkins, was born on April 4, 1960 in Dexter, Missouri, and departed this life on January 3, 2021 at Annie’s House in Marble Hill, Missouri, at the age of 60 years.
Mr. Simptkins worked as a landscaper and trimmed trees. He loved listening to the radio, fishing and collecting hats. He enjoyed working in the yard and woodworking. He was a resident of Bloomfield, Missouri.
He is survived by his mother, Evelyn Crump of Bloomfield; by two sons, Clifford Simptkins Jr. and wife Jenny of Bloomfield and David Simptkins and wife Sarah of Dexter; by his daughter, Misty Reynolds of Bloomfield; by two brothers, Kenny Briley and Clarence Briley, both of Tennessee; by his sister, Irma Fodge of Benton; and by seven grandchildren, Raelyn, Reagan, Journee, Jansyn, Kaylee, Landon, and Henry.
He was preceded in death by his father and by one brother, in infancy.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is in charge of arrangements.
Joyce Hardin, daughter of the late Walter McCarver and Jenny Mae Yarbrough McCarver, was born on June 3, 1937 in Steele, Missouri, and departed this life on January 3, 2021 at her residence in Dudley, Missouri at the age of 83 years.
Mrs. Hardin was a former employee of First Missouri State Bank in Fisk, Missouri, working as a teller and bookkeeper. She lived the Christian faith and enjoyed gardening, birdwatching, and flowers, cooking and canning, and her favorite color was brown.
On March 6, 1956, in Chicago, Illinois, she was united in marriage to Bob Hardin. Mr. Hardin survives of their home in Dudley.
In addition to her husband, Bob, she is survived by three sons, Steve Hardin and wife Melana of Dexter, Missouri, David Hardin of Dudley, Missouri and Jim Hardin of Kansas City, Missouri; and by two grandchildren, Lauren Burke and Matthew Hardin.
She was preceded in death by her parents; by her daughter, Joyce Ann Hardin, in infancy; and by two sisters.
Visitation will be held at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Wednesday, January 6, 2021 from 9:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. Funeral services will then be conducted in the Mathis Funeral Chapel on Wednesday, January 6, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Jim Clark officiating. Interment will follow in Dudley Cemetery.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is in charge of arrangements.
Bertie Cook, daughter of the late James Duffey and Minnie Morris Duffey, was born on July 8, 1925 in Brownwood, Missouri, and departed this life on January 2, 2021 at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, at the age of 95 years.
Mrs. Cook was the former owner of a beauty shop. She was a member of First General Baptist Church in Bloomfield, Missouri and a resident of Bloomfield.
On April 29, 1944 in Piggott, Arkansas, she was united in marriage to J. P. Cook. Mr. Cook preceded her in death on January 27, 2004.
She is survived by several nieces.
She was preceded in death by her parents, by two brothers, Raymond Duffey and Aymond Duffey; and by four sisters, Lucille Wright, Melba Borneman, Inez Henley, and Georgia Henrey.
Graveside services will be conducted at Walker Cemetery in Bloomfield on Friday, January 8, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. with Rev. Blake Brown officiating.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is in charge of arrangements.
Sammy Joe Davis, son of the late Hubert Davis and Patricia Ann Romine Davis, was born on April 15, 1957 in Watseka, Illinois, and departed this life on January 2, 2021 at Southeast Health in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, at the age of 63 years.
Mr. Davis was a former employee of Riddles Lumber Company.
He is survived by four sisters, Cindy Hicks of Bloomfield, Missouri, Susan Davis-Rohde of Leroy, Illinois, Lee Ann Ennen of Champagne, Illinois, and Pauline Abbott of Waynesville, Illinois.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is in charge of arrangements.
Leota Pauline Larson, daughter of the late William Francis Daniel and Marie Rose Brunn Daniel, was born on July 3, 1941 in Vandervoort, Arkansas, and departed this life on January 1, 2021 at Winchester Nursing Center in Bernie, Missouri, at the age of 79 years old.
She was united in marriage to Leonard E. Larson, Jr. on August 5, 1961 in Vandervoort, Arkansas. He preceded her in death in 2002.
Mrs. Larson worked in the insurance business for many years in offices in Dexter and Bernie. After retirement she volunteered for Meals on Wheels, and enjoyed going to bingo and out to eat with her friends. She was a member of Faith Lutheran Church in Dexter.
Survivors include one daughter, Ramona Ann Lemons (Chris); granddaughter, Jessica Lambert (Michael); and grandson, Douglas Lemons; two brothers, Douglas Daniel and Jimmy Daniel (Fern); and two sisters, Bertha Watkins and Phyllis Fernandez (Jose).
Due to Covid, there will be a graveside service at the Caroline Dowdy Cemetery on Monday, January 4, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Justin Sponaugle officiating.
The Larson family requests that everyone wear a mask and practice social distancing at the graveside service.
Memorial may be made to Faith Lutheran Church, 1002 Saddle Spur Road, Dexter, Missouri 63841.
