Brenda Lee Taylor of Rice, Texas was called home to be with the Lord on September 22, 2021, in Jonesboro, Arkansas, surrounded by the loving support of her family.
Born to Robert and Thelma Weathers on July 5, 1957, in Columbus, Ohio, she met and fell in love with Gaylon Taylor early in her life and they were married on December 24, 1975, in Duncanville, Texas.
Gaylon and Brenda welcomed a baby girl to the family in 1977. Brenda and her baby girl, Cristy, moved overseas to Schweinfurt, Germany to be with Gaylon on Deployment before returning to Texas in 1980, Upon arrival back in Texas they moved to Arlington then Duncanville prior to settling the family in Midlothian, Texas. They welcome a baby boy, Douglas, to the family in December of 1981.
Brenda and Gaylon resided in Midlothian for many years with Brenda working for the school district where she learned all about how you cook meat to the exact temperature to avoid being poisoned. It was this knowledge that she was able to reduce Doug’s pork chops from the hog he had smoked from 2 inches thick to maybe a ½ inch piece of shoe leather.
After retiring from the school district Brenda and Gaylon moved to Rice, Texas in March of 2002 in which they quickly became active members of the community. Brenda joined the Rice Volunteer Fire Department, participated annually in the Relay for Life, Joined the Cowboy Church on Ennis, and loved the annual Trunk or Treat event that the Fire Department holds each year. Brenda also came out of retirement to accept a job working for the Rice Independent School District where she enjoyed working with the children each day.
Brenda first and foremost loved Jesus and knew that she would see her beloved daddy when she departed this lifetime. She enjoyed her family and loved us each endlessly, loved all things crafty especially spray paint, and had a green thumb most of us see only on TV. Brenda lived with a passion for life, was kind at all times, and will be deeply missed by all who have ever known her.
Preceded in death by her father, Robert Weathers, and survived by her mother, Thelma Weathers of Dexter, Missouri; her husband of 45 ½ years Gaylon Taylor of Rice, Texas; her daughter Cristy Smiley and husband David of Port Aransas, Texas; her son Douglas Taylor and wife Bobbie Jo of Ferris, Texas; her siblings Robert, Ron, Teresa and Sheri all of Dexter, Missouri, seven grandchildren, one great grandchild, and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and many more family and friends.
Visitation will be held at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Sunday, September 26, 2021, from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. A memorial service will then be conducted in the Mathis Funeral Home Chapel on Sunday, September 26, 2021, at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Gary Teel officiating.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is assisting with arrangements.
Rodger Dean Owens, son of the late Homer Segal Owens and Etta Mae Rosenbalm, was born in Bernie, Missouri on September 20, 1948, and departed this life at his residence in Bernie, Missouri on September 22, 2021 at the age of 73.
Mr. Owens was a Veteran of the United States Army 1st Battalion “Big Red One”, walked point and machine gunner serving in Vietnam. He had also served in the National Guard. He spent 50 plus years in the water and wastewater industry with 25 of those years as an owner/operator of 4 private utility companies. He also served 12 years as a commissioner on the Missouri State Safe Drinking Water Commission and continued serving until his death. He was a very well thought of, smart, hardworking man who knew more than your average joe about a lot of things and was a friend to all and lived life to the fullest.
He was united in marriage to Ann LaDawn Livingston in Puxico, Missouri on February 15, 2002. Mrs. Owens survives in their home in Bernie.
Other survivors include three sons, Rodney Dale Owens, Richard Dwight Owens & wife Brittney and Christopher Scott Spitzer & wife Stacey, all of Bernie, Missouri; by one daughter, Natalie Dawn Zimmerman & husband Tony of Bernie, Missouri; by four brothers, Robert Owens of Bernie, Missouri, Everett Owens of Puxico, Missouri, Terry Owens of Utica, Illinois and Charles Owens of Wappapello, Missouri; by three sisters, Kathryn Kirkpatrick, Carolyn Stone and Marilyn Morgan all of Bernie, Missouri; by twelve grandchildren, Kara Owens, Macayla Owens, Kelsey Spitzer, Caidyn Spitzer, Rallen Owens, Chandler Spitzer, Blair Pleimling, Brynlee Owens, Drake Zimmerman, Baylor Owens, Blakely Owens and Cooper Zimmerman; also by other relatives and many friends.
He was preceded in death other than by his parents, by four brothers, Glen Owens, Carlin Owens, Jim Owens and William Henry Owens; by three sisters, Dorothy Stobaugh, Betty Slinkard and Nancy Joan Owens.
Friends may call at Mathis Funeral Home in Bernie, Missouri on Friday, September 24, 2021 from 11:00 A.M. until 1:00 P.M. Funeral services will then be conducted at 1:00 P.M. September 24, 2021 in the Mathis Funeral Chapel in Bernie. Interment will follow in Missouri State Veterans Cemetery with Full Military Honors.
Memorials may be made to the Charity of your choice. For the safety of the public and to help prevent the spread of Covid-19, the family asks that masks be worn.
Mathis Funeral Home of Bernie in charge of arrangements.
Pansy Irene Poe, daughter of the late Austin Poe and Mary Redding Poe, was born on January 15, 1953, and departed this life on September 22, 2021, in Dexter, Missouri, at the age of 68 years.
Pansy worked for Specialty Products in Dexter, Missouri as a care giver. She attended Essex Baptist Church in Essex, Missouri and was a resident of Dexter. She loved working and traveling.
She is survived by three sons, Brian Poe and wife Lisa of Bernie, and Sam Poe and John Poe of Dexter; by her daughter Mary Matney and husband Michael of Dexter; by two brothers, Roy Poe and wife Diane of Aquilla, and Edgar Poe of Dexter; by her brother-in-law, Alfred Thornburgh of Dexter; by fourteen grandchildren, Teresa Poe, Selena Poe, Dakota Kendle, Brian Poe Jr., Montana Baker, Brianna Poe, Jasmyn Mitchell, Kellie Kersey, Quense Judd Jr., Aarron Matney, Dalton Matney, Cheyenne Williams, Kerea Poe, and Ryan McAnally; by four great-grandchildren, Elliott Morris, Eligh Gainwell, Ka’leah Mitchell, and Kayden Kendle; and by many extended family and close friends.
Other than by her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Jim Poe; and by two sisters, Margo Trent, and Mary Thornburgh.
Visitation will be held at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Saturday, September 25, 2021, from 12:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. Funeral services will then be conducted in the Mathis Funeral Home Chapel on Saturday, September 25, 2021, at 2:00 p.m. Interment will follow in Rock Point Cemetery near Swinton, Missouri.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is assisting with arrangements.
Nonie James Reeves, son of the late Jesse Nathan Reeves and Hazel Moreland, was born on October 18, 1946, in Rural Iron Township, of Bismarck, Missouri, and departed this life on September 21, 2021, at his residence in Dexter, Missouri, at the age of 74 years.
Mr. Reeves was retired from the Missouri National Guard. He was a bus driver for the Dexter Public Schools in Dexter, Missouri, and he owned and operated Reeves Upholstery and Covers.
He belonged to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and was a well-regarded and outstanding member of his congregation, holding at various times, the offices of President of the Dexter branch and High Priest in the Sikeston Ward.
He loved fishing and traveling. He took pride in the quality of his work and his personal accomplishments. He was loved and respected by community, friends, and customers.
On October 30, 1971, in Hillsboro, Missouri, he was united in marriage to Tanee Armstrong. Mrs. Reeves survives at their home in Dexter.
In addition to his wife Tanee, he is survived by four sons, Charlie Reeves and wife Rawiwan of Dexter, Missouri, John Reeves and wife Jill of Ogden, Iowa, Nathaniel Reeves and wife Anuntita of Dexter, Missouri, and Christopher Reeves and wife Jeanie of Rockwood, Illinois; by five brothers, John Reeves, Eugene Reeves, Clyde Reeves, Albert Reeves, and Carl Reeves; by seven grandchildren, Jacob Reeves, John Reeves, Jessica Crockett, Ethan Reeves, Ryan Reeves, Parker Reeves, and Emerson Reeves; and by five great-grandchildren.
Other than by his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Anthony Reeves, and by two sisters, Linda Abney, and Anna Belle Pratt.
Visitation will be held at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Monday, September 27, 2021, from 9:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. Funeral services will then be conducted in the Mathis Funeral Home Chapel on Monday, September 27, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. with Bishop Michael Comer officiating. Interment will follow in the Masonic Cemetery in Piedmont, Missouri on Monday, September 27, 2021, at 4:00 p.m.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is assisting with arrangements.
Donna Faye Newell of Bloomfield, Missouri born to the late James and Alma (Western) Smith on August 29, 1952 in Sterling, Colorado and passed away on September 20, 2021 in Bloomfield, Missouri at the age of 69 years.
Donna had married Ronald Newell on May 09, 1980 in Advance, Missouri. Her grandchildren were her whole world. She enjoyed sewing, going to and taking care of the church and she loved being a Sunday school teacher. Donna was a member Greater Vision Church in Chaffee, Missouri.
Donna is survived by one son Michael Houston of White Oak, Missouri; three daughters LaDonna Messamer of Bloomfield, Missouri, Heather Nelson of Bloomfield, Missouri and Laurie Houston of Cape Girardeau, Missouri; four grandchildren Devin, Remington, Ashley and Dylan; three great grandchildren Austin, Abby and Delilah; two brothers James Smith of Sandpoint, Idaho and Steven Smith of Little Rock, Arkansas; two sisters Mary Williams of Waxachie, Texas and Marsha (Terry) Schnarr of Warrenton, Missouri. She is preceded in death by two brothers Jimmy Dale Smith and Tommy Smith; two sisters Wanda Galloway and Joann Kinser. A host of family and friends also survive.
Visitation will be held on Saturday September 25, 2021 from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Watkins and Sons Funeral Home in Bloomfield, Missouri.
Service will be held on Saturday September 25, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. at Watkins and Sons Funeral Home in Bloomfield, Missouri.
Interment will follow in the Walker Cemetery near Bloomfield, Missouri with Watkins and Sons Funeral Service of Bloomfield in charge of arrangements.
