James “Jim” Russell, son of the late Roscoe Russell and Nena Buchanan Russell, was born near Bernie, Missouri, on June 2, 1930, and departed this life at his residence in Dexter, Missouri, on December 18, 2022, at the age of 92 years.
Mr. Russell was very community driven, he served 39 years in the United States Army and Missouri National Guard, serving deployments in Korea, Honduras, and Panama. Jim was known for his cooking at his church, the American Legion, and at the Stars and Stripes on Veterans Day. He served on the Richland High School Board, Stoddard County Extension Council, Stoddard County Children’s Home, and the Stoddard County Fair Board. Jim was a Star Banner 4-H Leader, and an American Legion Honor Guard member. He was a retired farmer, and later worked as a grain inspector for the State of Missouri. Jim’s hobbies were the National Guard, gardening, and cooking.
Jim was united in marriage to Carrol Slinkard on May 16, 1951, in Dexter, Missouri, and they had two sons.
He is survived by his wife, Carrol Russell of their home in Dexter, Missouri; by his sons, Terry Russell and wife Cathy of Fredericktown, Missouri and Randy Russell of Dexter, Missouri; by a daughter, Wilma Pennington and husband Randy of Dexter, Missouri; by his sister, Polly Sheets of Dexter, Missouri; by six grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren; along with numerous nieces and nephews.
Other than by his parents, he was preceded in death by four sisters, Alice Keller, Ruth Gilliam, Betty Meyer, and Barbara Edwards (his twin); by two brothers, David Russell, and Jerry Russell; and by a beloved daughter-in-law, Betty Russell.
Visitation will be held at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Tuesday, December 20, 2022, from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Funeral services will then be conducted in the Mathis Funeral Home Chapel on Wednesday, December 21, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. with Rev. Mike Williams officiating. Interment will follow in the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield with full military honors.
Memorials may be made to The Harty House or Stoddard County Children’s Home, PO Box 164, Dexter, Missouri, or First Christian Church, 224 E Stoddard Street, Dexter, Missouri.
Pallbearers will be T.J. Russell, Wes Russell, Will Hunter, David Russell, Bryan Pennington, and Seth Pennington.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is assisting with arrangements.
Kenneth E. Standridge was born April 5, 1936, in Lamar, Arkansas to the late Sam and Lois Standridge and departed this life on December 10, 2022. He was 86 years old.
Kenneth worked various jobs before joining the Associated Natural Gas Company in May of 1975. He made lasting friendships through the company before retiring in May of 1991. Kenneth also was a member of the Local Union 1439 and in his younger years served as a volunteer fireman for the Sikeston Fire Department and a coach for little league.
On August 27, 1955, he married the love of his life the late Carolyn Jean Garrison in Sikeston Missouri. They stood by each other for 67 years and raised 4 children.
Kenneth enjoyed spending time outdoors hunting, fishing, camping, and spoiling his grandchildren. He loved to work with his hands and tinkered around with woodworking and making furniture as his hobby. There was nothing he could not do or make.
He was a member of Faith Baptist Church in Wappapello, Missouri until an illness kept him homebound.
He is survived by one son Kenneth Standridge Jr. of Dexter, Missouri, and two daughters Charissa (Jimmy) Comstock of Dexter, Missouri, and Victoria (Mark) Sings of Lake City, South Carolina; two brothers Samuel (Angie) Standridge of Paducah, Kentucky and Dewayne (Joann) Standridge of Sikeston, Missouri, and one sister Wanda Jean Walters of Sikeston, Missouri.
Other than his parents and wife, he is preceded in death by one son Kerry L. Standridge, three brothers Don Standridge, Ed Standridge, and Earl (Bill) Standridge; five sisters Blanch Hardin, Marie Phillips, Wilma Hasler, Ella Rainey, and Coy Summers.
Visitation will be held at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Thursday, December 15, 2022, from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. Funeral services will then be conducted in the Mathis Funeral Home Chapel on Thursday, December 15, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. Interment will follow in the Dexter Cemetery.
Pallbearers for the service are Mark Comstock, Seth Harris, Gabe Harris, Nate Harris, Mike Harris, and Blake Below.
Honorary Pallbearers are Jason Standridge, Darryl Standridge, and Tommy Standridge.
Patrick Ernest Smiley, son of the late Gale Redoma Smiley and Leota Mae Lambert Smiley, was born on April 23, 1954, in Bernie, Missouri and departed this life on December 9, 2022 at his daughter's residence in Malden, Missouri at the age of 68.
Pat owned his own car dealership and mechanic shop in Bernie and spent many years working at the Sikeston Drag Strip and the Brown Shoe Company. Pat was a member of the Voice of Zion Church in Malden, Missouri for almost 20 years. In his free time he loved watching wrestling and racing.
On January 5, 1976, in Holcomb, Missouri, he was united in marriage to Joyce Elaine Dabbs, who preceded him in death on March 27, 2012.
He was also preceded in death by both parents; two brothers, Artie Gale and Damon Keith Smiley and one sister, Jud Leota Carter, all of Bernie, Missouri.
He is survived by two sons, Richard Dean Smiley Jr. of Bernie, Missouri, Elijah James Brock of Malden, Missouri; his daughter Heather Marie Wamble and son in law Anthony Dwayne Wamble of Malden, Missouri; Six brothers James Edward Smiley of Kansas City, Missouri; Sherman Smiley of Fisk, Missouri; Nicholas Smiley, Richard Dean Smiley Sr., Freddie Smiley, and Jeff Smiley all of Bernie, Missouri; three sisters, Jo Ann Arnold of Dexter, Missouri; Cathy Owens of Bernie, Missouri; and Melba Wilson of Catron, Missouri. Mr. Smiley is also survived by three grandsons, Michael Alexander Hellums of West Helena, Arkansas; Charles Edward Freeman and Hunter Padean Freeman of Malden, Missouri and one granddaughter, Abigale Marie Freeman of Malden, Missouri.
A memorial service and lunch will be conducted on Friday, December 16th, 2022 at the Voice of Zion Church in Malden, Missouri. Pastor Roger Fowler will be officiating,
Interment will follow at the Bernie Cemetery
Bobby Gene Payton of Dexter, Missouri, passed from this life Sunday, December 11, 2022, at the age of 81.
The son of the late Crit and Mary Martha (Malin) Payton , was born December 31, 1940, in Aid, Missouri and lived all of his life in this area.
On June 15, 1985 He married Helen Bernice Noland in Bloomfield, Missouri.
He attended the First Baptist Church in Bloomfield, Missouri. He was very much a people person who never met a stranger. He was referred to as a good moral leader to many younger people who knew him. He was a UAW member, loved to tinker building things, a jack of all trades. He liked to go antiquing, some fishing and hunting, but mostly enjoyed spending time with family, especially his grandkids. He also really enjoyed spending time with his dogs. Bobby was a very generous and giving person to anyone and everyone he met.
Bobby leaves behind several nephews and nieces; five grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; five great great grandchildren; one sister-in-law Irene Payton of Dexter, Missouri; a life long friend of the Payton family Don Mathis as well as a host of family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; two daughters; Debra Smith and Diane Elsworth; three brothers; Kenneth, JC, Orval Payton; four sisters Virginia Griffith, Louise Marlowe, Lucile Pratt and Thelma Sherman.
Visitation will be held Thursday, December 15, 2022, 10:00 A.M. till 12:00 P.M. with funeral service to follow at the Watkins And Sons Funeral Chapel in Dexter, Missouri with Pastor Charles Woodard of Sikeston, Missouri officiating..
Interment will follow at the Harper Cemetery in Aid, Missouri with Watkins And Sons Funeral in charge of arrangements.
Silas Joe 'Chuck' Hull of Puxico, Missouri, son of the late Alvin Lafayette and Gertrude Leona (Hobbs) Hull was born on May 11, 1945, in Hayden, Colorado, and went to be with the Lord on December 11, 2022, at the age of 77.
Silas lived most of his life near Puxico, Missouri. Silas attended the Church Of Christ. He was known to many as a very strong and devout Christian. Silas loved going and serving others in the church. He also enjoyed gardening, working and spending time with family.
Silas is survived by three daughters, Tina (Larry) Sandage of Dexter, Missouri, Cindy (Jeff) Bright of East Prairie, Missouri, and Laura (Clarence) Reynolds of Bloomfield, Missouri; one brother, Larry (Priscilla) Hull of Old Appleton, Missouri; four grand children, Elisha, Hannah, Adam and Isaac; one great grandchild, Kinslee Sandage. Close personal friends, Charles and Doris Hedsmith as well as a host of family and friends.
Silas was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Leon Hull; two sisters, Betty Brown and Clara Shrum.
Visitation will be on Friday, December 16 at 10:00 A.M at the Watkins and Sons Funeral Chapel in Puxico, Missouri, with his Service to follow at 12:00 P.M. with Pastor Tony Cookson Of Advance, Missouri, officiating.
Interment will be at the Fairview Cemetery outside of Puxico, Missouri, with Watkins and Sons Funeral Service in charge of arrangements.
