Joan Wyrick Bogle Dabbs September 29, 1942 — December 29, 2023 Nixa, Missouri
Joan Wyrick Bogle Dabbs, age 81 of Nixa, Missouri, formally of Dexter, Missouri, passed away on December 29, 2023.
She was born in Flora, Illinois on September 29, 1942. She was the daughter of Merlin and Maxine Bogle. She was a strong and brave young woman who following graduation at the age of 17 moved away for work in Aurora, Illinois. It was there where she met Gail, a “hillbilly” in her words. After some convincing, she agreed to go out with him. They were married on August 10, 1962, after a brief courtship and remained happily married for 54 years until he passed away in April of 2016.
She and Gail had one daughter, Tracy, who she considered to be her best friend over the years. She had one grandson, Josh, whom she adored. There was nothing she wouldn’t do for her family.
Joan was a loving and supportive friend throughout her life, always offering to lend a helping hand when needed. Joan and Gail were active in their church in Dexter, Missouri. She loved to spend time with and travel with family, and shop for the latest styles and jewelry. Her love for accumulating clothes and shoes was legendary in her family. She was also known to host large garage sales due to this fact. Joan loved spending time with friends in Dexter and enjoyed playing bingo. Joan enjoyed entertaining and engaging in a good conversation, but she also loved her afternoon naps. We all knew to never mess with her during nap time. She loved to go out and eat and her favorite splurge was always lobster. She loved animals and had several pets throughout her life. Joan always had a knack for decorating. Her house was always as “neat as a pin” ….as long as no one opened the cabinets. Family was always important to Joan. She was always supportive of Gail’s business adventures and of Tracy, spending endless hours on phone calls during college, offering advice, assisting in apartment hunts, decorating, etc. She loved her weekly excursions with Tracy to have her hair and nails done, lunch and of course, shopping. She and Gail were entrepreneurs who owned several different businesses over the course of their marriage. As they retired, they loved to hop in their little RV and take road trips with family. They also enjoyed taking short getaways to hit casinos where she almost always ended up being luckier than Gail.
Joan is survived by her daughter, Tracy and her husband Jerry Henry, Nixa; her grandson Josh Henry, Springfield; several brothers and sisters in law, Margie Bogle, Flora, Illinois, Elsie Heller, Hallsville, Missouri, Jim and Sue Collins, Springfield, Missouri, Neil and Shirley Dabbs, Fisk, Missouri, Erma Dabbs, California, Missouri, LeaVern Dabbs, Cape Girardeau, Missouri, and Jim and June Novlan, Princeton, Illinois; as well as a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.
Joan was preceded in death by her husband Gail Dabbs; her parents, Merlin and Maxine Bogle; a brother Jim Bogle; and many beloved members of her husband’s family.
The family would like to extend a special thanks to Intrepid Hospice, especially Brooke, for the loving care given to Joan. Also, the family would like to thank the staff at Township Senior Living and a special thank you to Hannah, Amber, Tina, Terri, Evelyn, Julie, Becky, Vanessa and Amy who added joy to her life over the past year.
A visitation will be from 1:00 PM-2:00 p.m. on Friday, January 5, 2024, at Adams Funeral Home, Nixa. A brief service will immediately follow at 2:00 p.m. with Chaplain Randy Martin from Intrepid Hospice Officiating. The burial will follow at McConnell-Bledsoe Cemetery in Nixa.
Joyce Battles, daughter of the late Cecil Steele and Helen Ralph Steele, was born on May 19, 1935, in Memphis, Tennessee, and departed this life on December 30, 2023, at her residence in Dexter, Missouri, at the age of 88 years.
Mrs. Battles was a retired landowner with her husband Elmer. She was a member of Friendship Baptist Church in Dexter, and she enjoyed sewing, gardening, and doing laundry.
On December 24, 1952, in Blytheville, Arkansas, she was united in marriage to Elmer Battles. Mr. Battles survives of their home in Dexter.
Along with her husband, she is survived by four sons, Terry Battles and wife Diana of Dexter, Missouri, Steve Battles and wife Angie of Dudley, Missouri, David Battles and wife Sherry of Dudley, Missouri, and Josh Battles of Dexter, Missouri; by her brother, Cecil Steele Jr. of Bonita Springs, Florida; by twelve grandchildren, Ashley Mosier and husband Moe, Dustin Dunning and wife Heather, Lindsey Layton, Kaylie Green and husband Jarred, Cecilia Bridges and husband Charles, Nicole Battles, Erika Thomlinson and husband Koty, Chris Battles and wife Amy, Joel Battles and wife Cori, Brendan Battles, Madara Battles and Alaina Standridge and husband Jake; and by twenty-six great grandchildren.
Other than by her parents, she was preceded in death by her son, Roger Battles, and by her great granddaughter, Jordan Green.
Visitation will be held at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Wednesday, January 3, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. Funeral services will then be conducted in the Mathis Funeral Home Chapel on Wednesday, January 3, 2024, at 12:00 p.m. with Rev. Lonny Mittag officiating. Interment will follow in the Chalk Bluff Cemetery.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is assisting with arrangements.
Jerry Don McGowan, son of the late John Raymond and Iola Laverne (Toots) Wilson McGowan was born on February 21, 1938 in Black Oak, Arkansas and departed this life on December 30, 2023 at his residence in Bernie at the age of 85.
Jerry Don worked most of his life as a carpenter and musician in the Bernie area.
On February 23, 1957 he was united in marriage to Shirley Louise Nichols in Mississippi. Mrs. McGowan preceded him in death on June 28, 2020.
He is survived by their son, Joey McGowan of Bernie, Missouri; by their two daughters, Jill McGowan of Bernie, Missouri, and Mary Beth McGowan of Bernie, Missouri; by their daughter in law, Michelle McGowan of Dexter, Missouri; by fifteen grandchildren, twenty-four great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild; by four brothers, Jackie McGowan and wife Helen, Johnny McGowan and wife Betty, Jeffery McGowan and wife Karen, and Jan McGowan all of Bernie, Missouri; by one sister, Margie Brown and husband Dave of Elgin, Illinois; by one sister in law, Darlene McGowan of Bernie, Missouri; by his late wife’s sister, Sherian Nichols Todd and husband Jamie; also by many other extended family and friends.
Other than by his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by their two sons, Justin McGowan and Jed McGowan; by their grandsons, Jared McGowan and Jonathan McGowan; by their great-grandson, Myles Gooch; and by his brother, Jimmy Joe McGowan.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, January 2, 2024, from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at the Mathis Funeral Home in Bernie, Missouri. Funeral services will be conducted on Tuesday, January 2, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. in the Mathis Funeral Chapel with Stan Dauck officiating. Interment will follow in the Bernie Cemetery.
Mathis Funeral Home in Bernie assisted with arrangements.
Alice LaDonne Waggoner daughter of the late John Trammell and Emmer Birchfield Trammell was born on August 1, 1937 in Dexter, Missouri and departed this life on December 30, 2023 at Cypress Point Skilled Nursing Center of Dexter at the age of 86.
LaDonne had worked at Arvin in Dexter and was a resident of Dexter. She enjoyed working outside in her flower garden.
She is survived by two daughters, Rhonda Sherman and husband Keith of Dexter, Missouri and Donita Lintz and husband Greg of Dexter, Missouri; by two grandchildren, Derek Sherman, and Shelby Elfrink and husband Anthony.
Other than by her parents, she was preceded in death by one brother, J.W. “Bud” Trammell; and by two sisters, Nadine Kuenzer and Nelba Brown.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is assisting the family with arrangements.
Ray Dewayne Reed, son of the late Author T. Read and Faye Pauline Tompkins Read was born on July 31, 1944, in Campbell, Missouri and departed this life on December 30, 2023, at the Poplar Bluff Regional Emergency Department in Poplar Bluff, Missouri at the age of 79.
Ray had retired from Brown Shoe in Bernie where he had worked as the foreman. He had also worked in the coal yard, operating dozers for Associated Electric in New Madrid, Missouri. He enjoyed woodworking and collecting sports cards. He loved taking care of his three rat terriers; Scooter, Buffy and Toby.
On April 3, 1963, he was united in marriage to Ruth Hurley in Malden, Missouri. Mrs. Reed survives of their home in Puxico, Missouri.
Along with his wife, he is survived by one son, Shawn Reed and wife Holly of Puxico, Missouri; and by three grandchildren, Brooke Reed, Isabella Reed, and Piper Reed.
Other than by his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Roger Read.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, January 3, 2024, from 9:30 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. at the Mathis Funeral Chapel in Bernie, Missouri. Funeral services will be conducted on Wednesday, January 3, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. in the Mathis Funeral Chapel in Bernie, Missouri. Interment will follow in the Bernie Cemetery with Krag Runzi officiating.
