On Wednesday September 8th, 2021, Kenneth Roy Woody gained his heavenly reward at the age of 92. He was lovingly surrounded by his family at his home in Russellville, Arkansas. He was a lifelong member of the United Pentecostal Church.
Kenneth was born May 23, 1929, in Onia, Arkansas (Stone County) to Benjamin and Edna (Martin) Woody. After courting for three years, on August 11, 1949, in Truman Arkansas, he married Dotsie Vandergriff. She has been his lifetime sweetheart and constant companion. She resides of the home.
He is also survived by his three children, Alan (Barbara) Woody of Venice, Florida, Donna (Robert) Hamby of Russellville, Arkansas, and Brenda Barber of Russellville, Arkansas; five grandchildren, Melanie (Brandon) Callicott, Meagan (Steven) Minniear , Tarah Evans, Leah (Ian) Glidewell, and Wendy Brown; ten great-grandchildren, Emily Callicott, Trace Minniear, Rhett Minniear , Grace (Davis) Roden, Nathanael Evans, Isaac Evans, Catherine Evans, Josiah Barber, Abigail Birmingham, Natasha Brown; and great-great grandsons, Shepherd Evans Jayroe and Layton Brown.
He is also survived by his sister, Bonnie Browning of Hot Springs, Arkansas, whom he loved and treasured, as well as many nieces, nephews, and friends.
He is preceded in death by his infant son, Jeffrey Scott Woody; his parents, three brothers, six sisters, son-in-law, Terry Barber; and grandson, Randy Evans.
Kenneth, or Woody, as he was called by some, was a long-time resident of Dexter, Missouri, and employee of Foushee Candy Company. In 1959, he moved his family from Rockford, Illinois to work with his best friend, Keith Foushee and his brothers at their start-up company. Through the years he became Sales Manager, and later Warehouse Manager. He was respected and loved by all he worked with.
After retiring, he and his wife moved to Temple, Texas to be close to family. In 1995, they followed their children and grandchildren to El Dorado, Arkansas. During this time they loved to visit their son and daughter-in- law in Florida, eating fresh seafood, picking oranges from their backyard and being treated like royalty. When his health began to fail, he moved to Russellville, Arkansas.
Kenneth Woody was a wonderful man who loved the Lord and His Word, his family, friends, and souls with all his heart. He was an excellent guitar player, singer, and song writer. He was loved by all who knew him and will be greatly missed.
Visitation will be held at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter, Missouri on Saturday, September 11, 2021, from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m.
Funeral services will then be conducted in the Mathis Funeral Home Chapel on Saturday, September 11, 2021, at 12:00 p.m. with Rev. Keith Parris and Rev. Gary Andrews officiating. Interment will follow in the Chalk Bluff Cemetery.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is in charge of arrangements.
Junior Lee Tucker, son of the late Thomas and Louise Stevens Tucker was born on February 17, 1952, in Bernie, Missouri and departed this life on September 7, 2021, at his residence in rural Dexter, Missouri at the age of 69.
Mr. Tucker was a farmer, and he enjoyed his work. He also enjoyed playing Bingo.
He is survived by three sons, Jeven Tucker of Bernie, Missouri, Jacob Tucker of Clarkton, Missouri and Ce Jay Tucker of Dexter, Missouri; by two daughters, April Ellis of Dexter, Missouri and Didi Frazier of Bernie, Missouri; by his significant other, Cynthia Ladd of Dexter, Missouri; by one step-son, Jonathan Eggert of Dexter, Missouri; by one sister, Linda Price of Bernie, Missouri and by twelve grandchildren, Austin Ellis, Autumn Davison, Jonah Tucker, Jackson Tucker, Trinity Tucker, Adrianna Tucker, Celina Corzine, Hunter Corzine, Brody Frazier, Grayson Frazier, Adalyn Frazier and Jace Tucker.
Other than by his parents, he was preceded in death by one granddaughter in infancy, Avalyn Frazier; by one brother, Dale Tucker and by two sisters, Carolyn Eggert and Shirley Faye Tucker.
A memorial service is being planned for a later date.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is assisting with arrangements.
Crystal Kester Whitney, 39, of Horn Lake, Mississippi (formerly of Bernie, Missouri) passed away September 2, 2021 at Baptist DeSoto Hospital in Southaven, Mississippi.
She was born on May 13, 1982 and had previously worked as a dispatcher for the City of Hernando Police Department and the DeSoto County Sheriff’s Department.
She is survived by her husband, Richard Whitney, her son, Kannon Whitney, her daughter Kenadie Simmons all of Horn Lake, Mississippi. Her daughter Kaitlynne Raymond of Hernando, Mississippi and her son, Jayden Whitney of Oakland, Tennessee.
She is also survived by her father John Kester and brothers, Terry and Phillip Kester all from Bernie, Missouri.
There will be a visitation beginning at 1:00 p.m. and a Celebration of Life Memorial Service beginning at 2 p.m. on Saturday, September 11, at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Dexter, Missouri.
Robert Steven Conner, son of the late Leroy Conner and Clorene McDowell Glass, was born on March 10, 1954, in Advance, Missouri, and departed this life on September 5, 2021, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, at the age of 67 years.
Mr. Conner was a former radio personality for KMAL in Malden, Missouri and had worked for the past 25 years at KDEX in Dexter, Missouri as "Steve Simon", and he was a resident of Dexter.
He is survived by his daughter, Hillary Mercier of Dexter; by his girlfriend, Lori Scolley of Dexter; by two brothers, Roger Conner of Bloomfield, and Jeff Haskins of Dexter; by his sister, Cindy Stevens of Parma, by two grandchildren, Lucas Greene, and Logan Harmon; and by his beloved pets, Brutus, and CoCo.
Visitation will be held at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Wednesday, September 8, 2021, from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m.
Funeral services will then be conducted in the Mathis Funeral Home Chapel on Wednesday, September 8, 2021, at 3:00 p.m. with Rev. Ken Davidson officiating.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is assisting with arrangements.
Jeffrey Mark Gonos, a TSA Officer and resident of St. Louis, Missouri, passed away Sunday, September 5, 2021 at the age of 48 years old, after a 23 day battle with COVID-19.
Jeff is survived by his mother and stepfather, Barbara and David McClellan, sisters, Tina McSoley and Tracy Gonos, brother in laws Thomas McSoley and Paul Hayes. He also leaves his nieces and nephews, Juliana Morell, Brian McSoley, Hannah Nassar, Abigail McSoley, Margaret McSoley, Michael McSoley, Kalliope Gonos and Claire McSoley. He is predeceased by his father, Michael Gonos.
Jeffrey was born on November 7, 1972 and graduated from Southeast Missouri State University with a degree in Education. He spent several years living in Florida then moved back to Missouri where he became a Transportation Security Agency Officer where he ensured the safety and security of air travelers.
Jeffrey loved to read, play games and laugh. He loved his family and focused on them during his free time and vacations. He was a kind, loving and gentle soul who never had a bad thing to say about anyone. He will be deeply missed by all those who love him.
A viewing will be held at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter, Missouri, Thursday, September 9, 2021 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. followed by a service in the Mathis Funeral Home Chapel on Friday, September 10, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. A graveside burial at Puxico Cemetery will follow.
An online link to view the service can be found at http://webcast.funeralvue.com/events/viewer/59856.
In memory of Jeff, the family is asking that donations be made to Mrs. Rina’s House of Blessings, a shelter for homeless teens and families. Donations will specifically fund the Security Room which will keep those under its roof safe, a fitting tribute to Jeff’s legacy. To donate online visit https://elev8hope.org/donate/. Please put In Memory of Jeff Gonos in the comment line.
