Caleb Howard Sparks, the son of Jeremy Sparks of Paragould, Arkansas and Brandi Mannis and husband Mathew of Whitney, Texas was born on November 15, 2005 in Jonesboro, Arkansas and departed this life on December 15, 2023 in Paragould,
Arkansas at the age of 18.
Caleb was a current senior at Greene County Tech High School in Paragould. He enjoyed being outside, when he was skateboarding, skating, riding dirt bikes and camping, and especially with his dad. He loved his family deeply, and they loved him. Caleb also loved building his first home with his grandfather, Dean Kirby.
Caleb is survived by his father, Jeremy Sparks of Paragould, Arkansas; by his mother and stepfather, Brandi Mannis and Mathew of Whitney, Texas; by his sister, McKenzie June Moore of Arkansas; by his fiance’ Aderionna Burnett of Paragould, Arkansas; by his maternal grandparents, Britt and Donna Lorino of Osceola, Arkansas, and Doug and Kelly Smith of Cave City, Arkansas; by his paternal grandparents, Jimmy and Marie Sparks of Paragould, Arkansas; by his grandparents Harold “Dean” Kirby and Bonnie Thompson of Paragould, Arkansas; by his aunt’s, Spencer and husband Chase Rowen of West Virginia,
and Jasmine Sparks of Jonesboro, Arkansas; and by his uncle’s, Nathan Sparks of Hickory Flat, Mississippi, Hunter and wife Whitney Bowers of Paragould, Arkansas; and by many extended family and friends who will forever cherish their memories
they made with Caleb.
He was preceded in death by his uncle, Charles Wayne Kirby; by great grandparents, Hettie and Leo Houchin; Bud and Reddie Smith; and Wayne and Charlotte Hamilton.
A memorial service will be conducted on Friday, December 29, 2023 with Visitation at 1pm and Memorial Service at 2pm. Services will be held at Finch Baptist Church in Paragould, Arkansas with Pastor Marty Ezell officiating.
Ashley Marie Brooke Smith, the daughter of Anna Smith, was born July 5, 1987, in Poplar Bluff, MO.
She attended the Lighthouse Church in Dexter, MO.
Ms. Smith died Monday, December 18, 2023, at her residence in Malden, MO at the age of 36 years.
Survivors include 2 sons, Roman Farmer and Danton Porter; 1 daughter, Nadiah Green all of the home; her mother, Anna Smith of Malden; 2 sisters, Sadie Vandergriff and Casey Vandergriff both of Malden; 1 grandmother, Martha Anderson of Clarkton; aunts, uncles, cousins and a host of other relatives and friends.
A visitation will be held on Thursday, December 21, 2023, from 5:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M., at the Bradshaw Funeral Home in Malden.
Erik Taylor Kelley, son of Billy Kelley and Deena Taylor Kelley of Essex, Missouri, was born on February 24, 1971, in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, and departed this life on December 21, 2023, at his residence in Essex, Missouri, at the age of 52 years.
Mr. Kelley was a self-employed landscaper with a passion for life. His interests ranged from literature, music and film to college football and cold drinks on the golf course. He was a patriot that enjoyed the 4th of July and shooting fireworks for his family, as well as visiting our local state parks and waterways. He had a kind heart and ensured his neighbors wanted for nothing.
On November 4, 1989, in Essex, Missouri, he was united in marriage to Sharon Cobb. Mrs. Kelley survives of their home in Essex.
Along with his wife and parents, he is survived by his son, Ryan Taylor Kelley of Cape Girardeau, Missouri; by two brothers, Andy Kelley and wife Crystal of Dexter, Missouri, and Kurt Kelley of Essex, Missouri; by his mother-in-law, Carolyn Cobb; and by other close relatives and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Charles and Merle Taylor; by his paternal grandparents, Norman and Ola Kelley, and by his father-in-law, Decalvis “Dee” Cobb.
Visitation will be held at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Sunday, December 24, 2023, from 12:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. A memorial service will then be conducted in the Mathis Funeral Home Chapel on Sunday, December 24, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. Interment will follow in the Essex Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, Hope Lodge, 4207 Lindell Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63108.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is assisting with arrangements.
Sheron Marie Duffie, daughter of the late Frank and Ester Carson, was born on March 17, 1943, in Bernie, Missouri, and departed this life on December 20, 2023, at her residence in Dexter, Missouri, at the age of 80 years.
Mrs. Duffie had worked for a drugstore in Bernie, Missouri.
On March 24, 1985, she was united in marriage to Murrell Duffie. Mr. Duffie preceded her in death on May 12, 2012.
She is survived by her long-time friend, Samuel Faulkner; by her daughter, Dawn Watkins; and by one grandchild.
Other than by her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her sister, Virginia Carson.
No services are planned. Mrs. Duffie will be interred in the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter assisted with arrangements.
Dustin Mitchell, son of Scott Mitchell and wife Tryna of Dexter, Missouri and Lisa Rieffer of Dudley, Missouri, was born December 11, 1990, in Farmington, Missouri, and departed this life on December 20, 2023, in Dudley, Missouri, at the age of 33 years.
Dustin was a self-employed contractor. He attended the Lighthouse Church in Dexter, Missouri. Dustin enjoyed riding motorcycles with his dad and his friends and spending time with his children.
On February 14, 2012, he was united in marriage to Kristi Mitchell in Dudley, Missouri. Mrs. Mitchell survives of their home.
Along with his wife and parents, he is survived by two daughters, Rella Marie Mitchell and Lillian Avery Mitchell both of Dexter, Missouri; by one son, Layne Hefner of Dexter, Missouri; by three brothers, Eric Grimes of Dudley, Missouri, Scottie Mitchell of Idaho, Josh Mitchell of Dexter, Missouri; two sisters, Hannah Wilson of Dexter, Missouri and Hayli Finch of Bloomfield, Missouri; and by many nieces and nephews.
Dustin was preceded in death by one brother, BJ Grimes.
Visitation will be held at Lighthouse Church in Dexter, Missouri on Thursday December 28, 2023, from 5:00 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. A memorial Service will then be conducted in the Lighthouse Church on Thursday December 28, 2023, at 6:30 p.m. with Rev. Tim Russell officiating.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is assisting with arrangements.
