Gary Don Ross, a man who spent years behind the wheel, peacefully passed away on March 3, 2024, in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. He was born on January 16, 1951, in Parma, Missouri, to his loving parents William Oren and Pauline (Grubbs) Ross.
Gary dedicated much of his life to driving a truck until his retirement in 2016. He built many memories throughout his years and was known to have lived most of his life in the Stoddard County area. Gary had a passion for tinkering on tractors, fishing, mowing grass and watching westerns, and tending to his garden of flowers. However, above all else, he cherished the moments spent with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
In the hearts of those who knew him best, Gary will forever hold a special place. He is survived by his son Michael and wife Brandy Ross of Bloomfield; daughters Laura and husband Rick Sorbie of Farmington, Missouri, Tina and husband Kevin Mayabb of East Prairie; eleven grandchildren; thirteen great-grandchildren; three sisters Pam Rowland of Bloomfield, Margaret Moore of Dexter and Rhonda Tong of Madison, Wisconsin;and his close friend Danny Leathers.
Gary Don Ross is preceded in death by his beloved wife Brenda Ross, son Gary Gene Ross, brothers Bill Ross and Dean Ross, as well as sisters Joyce Goodman, Dorothy Lawrence and Charlotte Ross.
The visitation and memorial service to honor Gary's life will be held on March 9, 2024, at Watkins Funeral Homes in Dexter. The visitation will take place from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM followed by the memorial service from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM. with Pastor Tim Russell officiating.
Today we remember Gary not with tears but with smiles as we recall the joy he brought into our lives. His legacy of love and laughter will continue to live on in the hearts of all who had the privilege of knowing him. Rest in peace, Gary Don Ross.
Wayne Owens, son of the late Rube Owens and Minnie Gordan Owens, was born in Danville, Kentucky on September 8, 1944, and departed this life on March 1, 2024, at Mercy Hospital Southeast in Cape Girardeau, Missouri at the age of 79.
Mr. Owens enjoyed hunting, fishing, and spending time with his friends. He was a former truck driver for ABF and a member of the First Christian Church in Dexter.
On June 27, 1964, he was united in marriage to Barbara Jean Slaughter in Dexter, Missouri. Mrs. Owens preceded him in death on May 27, 2022.
He is survived by two sons, Ken Owens and wife Shannon of Dexter, Missouri and Brian Owens of Dexter, Missouri; one daughter, Kim Greer and husband Tracy of Sedalia, Missouri; one sister, Louise Wilson of Dexter, Missouri; seven grandchildren, Thad Owens, Spencer Owens, Jessica Greer, Jacqueline Greer, Olivia Johnson, Taylor Hutson, and Katelynn Owens; two great-grandchildren, Parker Greer, Lane Johnson, and one great grandchild on the way, Rowan Elizabeth Hutson.
Visitation will be held at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter, Missouri on Wednesday March 6, 2024, from 12:30 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. Funeral Services will then be conducted in the Mathis Funeral Home Chapel on Wednesday March 6, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Mindy Kiepe officiating. Interment will follow at Hagy Cemetery in Dexter, Missouri.
Mathis Funeral Home assisting with arrangements.
Jerry Lee Jones Jr. son of the late Jerry Jones Sr. and Tina Blagg Jones was born on September 8, 1984 in Kennett, Missouri and departed this life on February 28, 2024 near Sikeston, Missouri at the age of 39.
Jerry enjoyed watching his boys play Puxico Indian Basketball, and loved the ride they are taking the community on right now. He enjoyed playing video games, and recently started working with cows and other farm animals with his family.
On July 11, 2015 he was united in marriage to Brandi Gosnell in Bloomfield, Missouri. Mrs. Jones survives of their residence in Puxico, Missouri.
Along with his wife, he is survived by nine sons, Kyan Long, Kaysen Long, Karsen Long, Layken Jones, Ryker Jones, all of Puxico, Missouri, Talan Jones, Keegan Jones, Bryson Jones and Alec Jones, all of Clarkton, Missouri; by three daughters, Addy Long, Abby Long and Kynlee Jones, all of Puxico, Missouri; by his brother, Killian Jones of Farmington, Missouri; and by his sister, Tiffany Jones of Lake Wappapello, Missouri.
Visitation will be held on Friday, March 1, 2024 from 12:00 p.m. until 1:00 p.m. at the Duck Creek Baptist Church in Puxico, Missouri. Funeral services will then be conducted on Friday, March 1, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. at Duck Creek Baptist Church.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is assisting the family with arrangements.
Mary J Taylor, born Mary Vaughan on January 26, 1965, in St. Louis, Missouri to Richard Robert and Loraine May (Skouby) Vaughan, passed away on February 26, 2024, at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. She was a beloved wife to Eddie (Cookie) Taylor and a devoted mother to her two sons, Jeramey (Beth) Taylor of Bloomfield, Missouri, Richard (Ashley) Mallory of Wappapello, Missouri, and her daughter Shasta (Jamie) Taylor. Mary's life was enriched by the presence of seven grandchildren whom she cherished deeply.
Mary's warm personality shone through in everything she did. She had a passion for various crafts, from puzzles to sewing, but her greatest joy came from spending time with her family and spoiling her grandchildren. Known for her selflessness and caring nature, Mary never hesitated to put others' needs before her own. Her ability to connect with people on a genuine level meant she never met a stranger.
In the hearts of those who loved her, Mary leaves behind beautiful memories and a legacy of kindness and generosity. She will be dearly missed by her surviving family members including her husband, children, grandchildren, brother Richard Vaughan of Puxico, Missouri and Kevin Vaughan of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, sisters Gloria Hassertt of Cincinnati, Ohio; Fern Flacke of Puxico; Deena Heaps of Perryville; along with a host of family and friends.
Mary was proceeded in death by her parents, one brother, Jim Vaughan and sister, June Mince.
Services to honor and remember Mary's life will take place at Watkins Funeral Home in Puxico. A visitation will be held on February 29 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM followed by a Funeral Service at the same location with Pastor Kenneth Lambert of Bloomfield, Missouri officiating. The Interment will follow at Rock Hill Cemetery in Puxico.
In lieu of flowers the family respectfully requests that a donation be made in honor of Mary Taylor to any Breast Cancer Awareness Fund.
Mary J Taylor will forever remain alive in the hearts of those who knew and loved her. May she rest in peace knowing she was truly cherished during her time on earth.
Herbert Richard Higginbotham, son of the late Herbert Russell Higginbotham and Evelyn Long Higginbotham, was born on June 18, 1934, in Carroll County, Arkansas, and departed this life on February 25, 2024, at Mercy Hospital Stoddard, in Dexter, Missouri, at the age of 89 years.
Mr. Higginbotham was a Veteran of the United States Army. He had worked as an airplane mechanic and inspector. He attended Liberty Hill General Baptist Church in Aid, Missouri, and was a resident of Dudley, Missouri. He enjoyed growing his garden and working in the yard.
On June 18, 2005, in Dudley, Missouri, he was united in marriage to Dorothy Northington. Mrs. Higginbotham survives of their home in Dudley.
Along with his wife, he is survived by his son, Ricky Higginbotham Sr. of Nuevo, California; by his daughter, Rachelle Elkins of Pasadena, Texas; by seven grandchildren, Diana Plamondon, Corey Higginbotham, Ricky Higginbotham Jr., Tristen Higginbotham, Dustin Higginbotham, Presten Higginbotham, and Kellen Higginbotham; by five great-grandchildren, Ryan Elkins, Vanessa Elkins, Brayden Elkins, Ashton Elkins, and Lexi Elkins; and by many great-great grandchildren.
Other than by his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Kenneth Higginbotham, and by two sisters, Joyce and Doris.
Visitation will be held at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Friday, March 1, 2024, from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Funeral services will then be conducted in the Mathis Funeral Home Chapel on Friday, March 1, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. Interment will follow in the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is assisting with arrangements.
