Billy Ray Gowen, 75 years old, passed away at his home in Albuquerque, New Mexico on Friday, March 12, 2021.
Billy was born and raised in Missouri. At the age of 17, Billy married his high school sweetheart, Jean Dickerson. During this time Billy also enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, serving overseas in the Vietnam War. After serving his 4-year enlistment with the Marine Corps Billy joined the United States Air Force. After serving for 20-years he retired. After he retired from the Air Force he enjoyed a 20 year career in Civil Service.
Billy is survived by his wife of nearly 59 years, Jean; his two daughters, Marla and Lisa; and his grandchildren, Ryan and Jessana. Billy is also survived by his three sisters, Wanda of Dexter, Missouri, Donna and her husband Alan of Tucson, Arizona and Paula and her husband Don of Tucson, Arizona; as well as many nieces and nephews.
Billy was preceded in death by his parents, Ray and Beatrice Gowen; and brother-in-law, Charles (Wanda's husband).
Visitation will be held at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter, Missouri on Thursday, March 25, 2021 from 12:00 until 1:00 p.m.
Funeral services will then be conducted in the Mathis Funeral Chapel on Thursday, March 25, 2021 at 1:00 p.m.
Interment will follow in the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield with full military honors.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is in charge of arrangements.
Frances Arlene Hester of Bloomfield, Missouri, daughter of the late Andrew "Bud" Pullum and Eunez Lashley Pullum, was born on September 5, 1942 in Lawrence, Michigan and passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on March 12, 2021.
Frances was united in marriage to Scott Bolin on December 31, 1960 and to this union five children were born. Scott preceded her in death. On September 5, 1990 Frances married Carl Hester. Carl passed away on January 22, 2016.
Mrs. Hester owned and operated the Bolin Group Home in Bloomfield for over 17 years before her retirement. She enjoyed decorating her home and creating beautiful floral arrangements. She was a devout Christian and attended services at the Olive Branch Baptist Church in Essex.
Surviving are her son and spouse: Winfield (Lisa) Bolin of Essex, Missouri, three daughters and spouses; Kim (Kenneth) Johnson of Bloomfield, Missouri Kay (James) Robbins of Bell City, Missouri, Stephanie (Terry) Robinson of Wappapello. Eleven Grandchildren; Kellie Fuwell, Kenneth Johnson, Jr., Kory Johnson, Kris Johnson, Jeff Bolin, Eric Bolin, Jesse Robbins, Heather Robinson, JR Robinson, Matthew Robinson, Dallas Robinson, Becca Bolin, Roy Johnson and Marybeth Bolin. Fifteen great-grandchildren. One brother also survives; Herman Pullum of Dexter, Missouri, and one sister Marilyn Southerland of Moscow Mills. Many nieces, nephews and a host of friends also are left to mourn her passing.
Special Mention to Rowdey, Mrs. Hester's beloved dog. He is surviving and will miss his friend and buddy.
Frances was preceded in death by her son Allen Bollin, her great-grandson Samuel Johnson, two brothers; Jeff Pullum and Leonard Pullum, one sister; Eunice "Tootsie" Hendrickson.
Visitation and funeral services will be held on Wednesday March 17, 2021 with visiting to begin at 5 PM till service time at 7 PM at the Watkins and Sons Funeral Home in Bloomfield.
Interment will be a private service at the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield, Missouri. Watkins and Sons Funeral Service of Bloomfield in charge of arrangements.
Joe Wayne Parris, son of the late George Parris and Eva Mason Parris, was born on June 5, 1958 in St. Louis, Missouri, and departed this life on March 11, 2021 in Defiance, Missouri, at the age of 62 years.
Mr. Parris lovingly took care of his parents and brother. He was a resident of Malden, Missouri.
He is survived by three brothers, Charles Parris of Warrenton, Missouri, Glen Parris and wife Kathy of Weldon Springs, Missouri, and Steven Parris or Labadie, Missouri.
Other than by his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, Bob Parris, David Parris, and Jerry Parris.
Visitation will be held at Mathis Funeral Home in Bernie on Wednesday, March 17, 2021 from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m.
Funeral services will then be conducted in the Mathis Funeral Chapel on Wednesday, March 17, 2021 at 12:00 p.m. Interment will follow in the Bernie Cemetery.
The Parris family respectfully requests that everyone wear a mask.
Mathis Funeral Home in Bernie is in charge of arrangements.
Lucas Aaron Cope, son of James Cope and Denise Woods Cope of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, was born on March 3, 1992 in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, and departed this life on March 11, 2021 in Wappapello, Missouri, at the age of 29 years.
Mr. Cope was an employee of Tyson in Dexter, Missouri and a resident of Puxico, Missouri.
On October 11, 2015, in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, he was united in marriage to Autumn Dabbs. Mrs. Cope survives of their home in Puxico.
In addition to his wife, Autumn, and his parents, James and Denise, he is survived by his son Ronan Cope of Puxico, and by his sister, Amy Cope of Poplar Bluff.
A memorial service will be planned at a later date.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is in charge of arrangements.
James Gilbert Woolard, son of the late Frank Woolard and Lois Morgan Woolard, was born on August 19, 1942 in Redd, Missouri and departed this life on March 11, 2021 at his residence in Puxico, Missouri, at the age of 78 years.
Mr. Woolard was a veteran of the United States Army, serving from 1964 to 1966, and he was a farmer all his life.
On May 19, 1969, he was united in marriage to Edwina Rowland. Mrs. Woolard survives of their home in Puxico.
In addition to his wife, Edwina, he is survived by two sons, Douglas Wade Woolard (Rachel) and James Darrin Woolard (Sheri Poole), all of Puxico, Missouri; by two daughters, Gillian Nicole Manuel (Russell Taylor) of Dudley, Missouri, and LaRonda Renee Helland (Luther) of Metropolis, Illinois; by two brothers, Kim Woolard of Piedmont, Missouri and Vaden Woolard of Potosi, Missouri; by six sisters, Annetta Carter (Paul) of Topeka, Kansas, Faye Keathley (Bud) of Farmington, Missouri, Daphne Richardson (Jim) of French Town, Montana, Reba Lam (Ben) of Wichita Falls, Texas, and Renee Hunt (Rob) of Topeka, Kansas; by eleven grandchildren, Tyler Wade Woolard (Samantha), Jamie Renee Manuel, Dalton Gene Manuel, Wyatt Justin Helland, Madison Nacole Hunerkoch, Rhett James Helland, Shelby Renee Woolard, Sara Ashley Woolard, Garrett Randall Hunerkoch, Kegahn Charles Helland, and Elizabeth James Woolard; and by several nieces and nephews.
Other than by his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Sammy Woolard; and by his sister, Velma Stewart.
Visitation will be held at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Saturday, March 13, 2021 from 2:00 p.m. until 4:30 p.m.
Funeral services will then be conducted in the Mathis Funeral Chapel on Saturday, March 13, 2021 at 4:30 p.m. with Rev. Ray Placher officiating.
Interment will follow in the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield on Monday, March 15, 2021 at 2:00 p.m., with full military honors.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is in charge of arrangements.
