George Wesley Sifford, 97, passed away in Cape Girardeau on September 1, 2024. He was the son of Tilman and Jane Jones Sifford. He joined siblings Everett, John (Square), Fay and Joe in the Brown Community north of Puxico.
After attending Puxico Schools , he joined the US Navy and was one of the youngest sailors in WWII. He served in the Pacific on the ship USS Point Cruz CVE 119 which ferried planes across the ocean. Returning to Puxico after the war, he became a founding member of the Puxico VFW. He helped construct the VFW building, served as Commander for several years. and promoted the Puxico Homecoming. Many times, he had to round up the goats for the famous goat burgers!
On March 10; 1947 he married his sweetheart, Norma Evans, in Piggott, Arkansas. Two years later, their daughter Sandra Kay was born. To support his family, George decided to become a school teacher. He first attended college on the GI Bill at SEMO and Arkansas State earning a Bachelor's Degree in Education. He also attended Murray State with a Science Foundation Award and received his Master's in Educational Administration at the University of Mississippi.
George's first teaching position was in a one room school at Fry in Wayne County. Besides the regular lessons, he gathered fresh spring water for the students and built a fire in the wood stove. Next came Sturdivant— a two room school. Then he taught elementary and science at Fisk-Rombauer for nine years. Then he was selected at Puxico as High School Principal , then Superintendent for seventeen years. Promoting educational advancement was very important to him.
After retiring from public school service, George became the Regional Coordinator for Developmental Disabilities covering eight counties in south Missouri. Once again, he was encouraging a fulfilling life for each individual.
After retirement, George spent some time with his farm and cattle. He enjoyed traveling, listening to bluegrass music, researching genealogy, and being with family and friends. He was a trustee of Fagan Cemetery over 65 years.
Preceding him in death was his wife Norma; his grandson Darrin Denbow, his parents and his siblings.
He is survived by his daughter, Sandra Sifford Denbow; and his grandson Devlin Wesley Denbow.
Services will be held with Watkins Funeral Home in Puxico. Visitation on Friday, September 6 from 6:00 to 8:00 with services on Saturday, September 7 at 10:00. Burial will be in the Puxico Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Fagan Cemetery or the George Sifford Scholarship Fund.
Debbie Kay Fuqua, daughter of the late Max Morey and Doris Elder Morey, was born March 5, 1961, in Lansing, Michigan, and departed this life on August 31, 2024, at her residence in Dexter, Missouri, at the age of 63 years.
Debbie was a woman of faith. She loved the Lord Jesus Christ and sacrificed for her family. Above all she was a hard-working selfless woman. She loved her classic rock music, and the beautiful Appalachian Mountains.
She was united in marriage to Michael Lee Fuqua on April 4, 1996, in Dexter, Missouri. Mr. Fuqua preceded her in death on March 29, 2002.
She is survived by one son, Caleb Fuqua of Dexter, Missouri, by four daughters, Stephanie Hagan of Jonesboro, Arkansas, April Cage of Jonesboro, Arkansas, Amy Malone of Buckeye, Arizona, and Caitlin Fuqua of Dexter, Missouri; by four grandchildren, Amber Cage, Reiley Smith, Kayla Hagan, and Gage Malone, by two great grandchildren, Zaylynn Wicker and Isaac Wicker.
Other than by her parents and her husband, she was preceded in death by one son in law, Shea Malone, and by her sister Michelle Williamson.
Visitation will be held at the Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Tuesday, September 3, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. Funeral services will then be conducted in the Mathis Funeral Home Chapel on Tuesday, September 3, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. with Pastor Tim Russell officiating. Interment will follow in the Dexter Cemetery.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is assisting with arrangements.
Johnny Kayler, son of the late John William Kayler II and Velma Marie Brooks Brown, was born on April 8, 1946, in St. Louis, Missouri, and departed this life on August 28, 2024, at his residence in Dexter, Missouri, at the age of 78 years.
Mr. Kayler was a former employee of Arvin Meritor in Dexter, Missouri. He was Baptized on December 13, 1958, and he attended Lighthouse Christian Church in Dexter. He enjoyed wood burning, fishing, camping, playing chess, cooking, playing the piano and singing. He loved dancing with his wife and spending time with his family.
On December 27, 1966, in Caseyville, Illinois, he was united in marriage to Linda Faye Jones. Mrs. Kayler survives of their home in Dexter.
Along with his wife, he is survived by two sons, Brian Kayler (Rhonda) of Fredericktown, Missouri, and Jeremy Kayler (Laura) of Dexter, Missouri; by two daughters, Angie Kayler Battles (Steve) of Dudley, Missouri, and Dena Costin (Clinton) of Bernie, Missouri; by his sister, Janet Luter (David) of Corning, Arkansas; and by eight grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren.
Other than by his parents, he was preceded in death by his daughter, Angela Rene Kayler, in infancy; and by his sister and brother-in-law, Dorothy “Dot” and Chett Sowell.
Visitation will be held at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Friday, August 30, 2024, from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Funeral services will then be conducted in the Mathis Funeral Home Chapel on Saturday, August 31, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. with Pastor Tim Russell officiating. Interment will follow in Walker Cemetery in Bloomfield.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is assisting with arrangements.
Don Charles Evans was born January 28, 1936, to the late Alton Franklyn Evans and Dorothy Warene Gilmer Evans, and departed this life on August 26, 2024.
Don met his sweetheart, Nobia Sue Honeycutt while attending Ouachita Baptist College in Arkadelphia, Arkansas in 1956. During their college years, Don and Sue eloped and were married in Hernando, Mississippi. This loving union lasted over sixty-six years. Sue survives at their home. To their union one daughter was born, Ginger Evans Dill. Ginger preceded Don in death. Dee Dill, her loving husband, survives and lives in Naples, Florida.
Don obtained his MBA Degree from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas in 1959. His work history included a position as Assistant Professor of Economics at Ouachita, several years as an Assistant National Bank Examiner with the U.S. Treasury, several years in commercial banking, and as owner of Evans Buick in Dexter, Missouri, until selling to Allen Christian. From 1985 until present he was involved in commercial loan brokerage.
Don became a Christian at an early age. His life was guided by his faith in Christ, his love of scripture and the love and comfort of hymns and gospel music.
Don is also survived by two brothers, Dale Evans and wife Elenor of Dexter, Missouri, and Dean Evans and wife Jane of Germantown, Tennessee.
Funeral services will be conducted at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Friday, August 30, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. with Rev. David Ripley officiating. Interment will follow in the Dexter Cemetery.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is assisting with arrangements.
Gary Bernard Stanford, son of the late Almon Earl Stanford and Joy Montez Marsh Stanford, was born on November 11, 1947, in Melbourne, Arkansas, and departed this life on August 25, 2024, at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri at the age of 76 years.
Gary was a Veteran of the United States Air Force, a retired Flight Engineer with the Tennessee Air National Guard, and a retired Lieutenant and Paramedic with the Memphis Fire Department. He was a resident of Cape Girardeau, Missouri and a lifelong member of the Church of Christ. Gary lived and breathed his family and Bluegrass music.
He is survived by two daughters, Terri May and husband Emmanuel of Dexter, Missouri, and Jennifer Knupp and husband Vin of Cape Girardeau, Missouri; by his son, Tim Hardy of Cape Girardeau, Missouri; by six grandchildren, Bo Staggs (Destiny), Brittany Tapley (Deacon), Meagan Sander (Logan), Brooklynn May, John May, and Coty Stanford (Reese); by six great-grandchildren, Mason Carmack, Levi Staggs, Luke Staggs, Leah Staggs, Isaac May, and Kennedy May; by his nieces, #3 LaRhonda Billingsley, #5 Amy Phillips, and #6, Missy Gates; and by his nephew, Kenny Stanford.
Other than by his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 27 years, Laverta Cooper Stanford, by two brothers, Ronnie Lee Stanford and Richard Earl Stanford; and by his niece, #4 Kristi Altman.
Visitation will be held at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Saturday, August 31, 2024, from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. Funeral services will then be conducted in the Mathis Funeral Home Chapel on Saturday, August 31, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. with Gary Cooper and Casey Elmore officiating the service. Interment will follow in the Oak Ridge Cemetery in rural Bloomfield.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is assisting with arrangements.
