Debra Lou Kern, daughter of the late James Calhoun and Florence Owens Calhoun, was born on April 19, 1952, in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, and departed this life on January 17, 2025, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau at the age of 72.
Her friends and family knew her as Debbie. One of her proudest achievements was being crowned Mrs. Missouri in 1986. Awarded a scholarship from this title, she pursued her undergraduate degree at Southeast Missouri State University and later earned her graduate degree there as well. Debbie held many occupations throughout her life, including real estate, teaching, sales, social work, and administrative positions in care facilities. Above all, she was a loving and caring mother to her children, stepchildren, and many of their friends throughout her life.
Debbie was an incredibly talented and self-taught artist. Many of her creations hang on the walls of her loved ones' homes. The art studio at her home was one of the great pleasures during her later years after retiring. Many leisurely hours were spent creating beautiful paintings, teaching her grandchildren how to paint, and sharing her love of art with family and friends. Many of her final paintings were inspired by ocean landscapes, another of her great loves, and where her husband Larry took her on vacation every year in Destin, Florida.
On September 14, 2006, she was united in marriage to Larry Kern in Destin, Florida. Mr. Kern survives in their home in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.
Along with her husband, she is survived by her son, James Ringer, and wife, Desirae, of Corpus Christi, Texas; by her daughter, Lora Cecil, and husband, Joe, of Dexter, Missouri; by her stepdaughter from her previous marriage, Lisa Ringer, of Los Angeles, California; by two step-sons, Kenneth Kern and wife Jamie of Dunedin, Florida and Richard Kern of Scott City, Missouri; by her sister Kim Shambo of Scott City, Missouri; by four grandchildren, Kristin Bailey, Taylor Cecil, Harrison Ringer, and Cassius Collins; and by her great-granddaughter, Kassidy Bailey.
Other than by her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, James Calhoun Jr., and by her sister, Marsha Dohogne.
Thelma Joyce Bostic was born on December 28, 1945, in Parma, Missouri to the late Hollis and Margie (Nance) Mathis, and passed away on January 15, 2025, in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, at the age of 79 years old.
On November 13, 1987, Cecil Bostic and Thelma Mathis were united in marriage in Bloomfield, Missouri, and he preceded her in death on January 25, 2008.
Thelma lived in the area for nearly 40 years, and attended the Bible Tabernacle Church in Bloomfield, Missouri. She loved to sew, read, crochet, do needlework, write poetry, do photography, watch westerns and listen to her late husband play music.
Surviving family include her children, Bobby Cordell Jr., and Debbie Cordell-Milam, both of West Memphis, Arkansas, her grandchildren: Brandon and Felecia Cordell, both of Tyronza, Arkansas, her great grandchildren: Eli, Bradley, Trinity, and JJ, 3 brothers: Bruce Mathis, Paul Mathis, and Tony Mathis, all of West Memphis, Arkansas, and 2 sisters, Stella Dejournett, of Bloomfield, Missouri and Patricia Burch, of West Memphis, Arkansas, as well as several nieces and nephews.
Thelma was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Cecil, 1 sister, and 4 brothers.
The visitation will be on Monday, January 20, 2025, beginning at 11 A.M. at the Watkins and Sons Funeral Home in Bloomfield, Missouri.
The funeral will be on Monday, January 20, 2025, beginning at 1 P.M. at the Watkins and Sons Funeral Home in Bloomfield, Missouri, with Pastor Charles Robertson officiating.
Harold "Tommy" Lloyd Morris was born on September 21, 1939, in Ridgley, Tennessee to the late John and Vera Morris, and passed away peacefully on January 13, 2025 in Poplar Bluff, Missouri at the age of 85 years old.
Tommy lived in this area for the majority of his life and after marrying his wife Joyce, he became a member of the United States Air Force for 4 years. After serving in the Air Force, Tommy became a Southern Baptist pastor. He was an outdoorsman, and enjoyed hunting, fishing, watching sports on television, and reading his Bible.
Surviving family include his loving wife Joyce, who survives of the home, his sons, Randy and Richie Morris, both of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, a sister, Shirley, of St. Louis, Missouri, as well as 4 grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren.
The visitation will be on Friday, January 17, 2025, at the Watkins and Sons Funeral Home in Puxico, Missouri.
The graveside service will be on Friday, January 17, 2025, at 1 P.M. at the Puxico Cemetery in Puxico, Missouri.
Watkins and Sons Funeral Home is handling all arrangements.
Fae Ellen Conley, born on July 26, 1938, in Dorsey, Mississippi, to the late Wiley and Mary (Duncan) Kyle, peacefully passed away on January 12, 2025, in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, at the age of 86.
Fae was united in marriage to Jimmy Lee Conley on August 12, 1956, in Peoria, Illinois. They shared many loving years together until his passing on January 3, 2021.
A dedicated resident of Southeast Missouri for over 60 years, Fae was an active member of the Providence Missionary Baptist Church in Puxico. She was known for her passions, particularly sewing, reading, and fishing, which brought her great joy.
Fae is survived by her sons, Ralph and James Conley of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, a brother, Percy (Trina) Carroll of Pontotoc, Missouri, as well as six grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, two brothers, Gaither and Hugh Kyle, and two sisters, Jamie Underwood and Kathryn Shelton.
Family and friends are invited to pay their respects during the visitation on Thursday, January 16, 2025, beginning at 11 A.M. at the Watkins and Sons Funeral Chapel in Puxico, Missouri. The funeral service will follow at 1 P.M. at the same location.
Bill W. Perkins, age 87, died January 5, 2025, in Wichita, Kansas., surrounded by his family.
He was born on February 17, 1937, to Mary Elizabeth Byford Perkins and William Gilbert Perkins on his family’s farm in Edwards County, Illinois, where he graduated from high school in 1955. He obtained his bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern Illinois at Carbondale, Illinois in animal science and his master’s degree from the same university in animal nutrition.
He met his wife, Judith, in Freeport, Illinois in 1962. They married on June 12, 1965, in Freeport, Illinois and moved to Dexter, Missouri where he began employment with Monarch Feed Mills. The couple originally lived on Boucher Street and then purchased a home in 1975 outside the city limits with 17 acres where he kept the lawn trimmed with his Massey Ferguson tractor, and was also known for using it to pull neighbors out of the ditch or for plowing the road in a snowstorm.
Bill worked for Monarch Feed Mills over 20 years, first as a nutritionist and later as manager. In 1987, he began working as an independent consultant in animal nutrition, traveling to Ukraine, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, United Arab Emirates, Saudia Arabia, China, Philippines, and Thailand for business. Bill and Judy moved to Wichita, Kansas in 2015, where he continued to display unwavering love and devotion to his precious wife to the very end. He was an enthusiast for human nutrition and natural healing, generously helping many who crossed his path. His seriousness was often dispelled by his dry wit and hearty laugh. He loved dancing in his cowboy boots, waterskiing, and playing tennis. Bill was an active member of the United Methodist Church wherever he lived.
Bill was previously deceased by his parents. He is survived by his wife Judith Perkins of Wichita, Kansas and sister Paralee (Perry) Perkins of Oswego, Illinois. He is also survived by three daughters: Joan Perkins of Washington, D.C.; Janice Perkins of Wichita, Kansas; and Jill Perkins Hare of Greensboro, North Carolina. He is also survived by six grandchildren: Mia and Elena Shaker, Asher and Giya Fairbairn, and Evelyn and Lydia Hare.
A private family memorial service was held on January 6. Donations can be made to Chapel Hill United Methodist Church, 1550 N. Chapel Hill Street, Wichita, Kansas (316-684-1117) in his memory.
