Obituaries from January 2021

Jennipher Goins Stokes, 43, of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, died Thursday, Dec. 31, 2020 at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center, in Poplar Bluff. Mrs. Stokes was born Aug. 9, 1977 in Poplar Bluff. She enjoyed camping, music concerts, drag racing and liked doing makeup...

QULIN, Mo. — Walter Chester Carter, 86, of Ellsinore, Missouri, died Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021 in Hunter, Missouri. Mr. Carter was born Sept. 20, 1934 in Arkansas, son of the late Albert Lee and Cora Lee Carter. Walter worked in the timber business until his retirement. An avid collector of other people’s unwanted things, Walter loved visiting with people who stopped by his place in Ellsinore, Missouri on Highway 60. You didn’t have to buy anything, just talk a bit and he was happy...

NIXA, Mo. — Betty Morgan, 87, of Poplar Bluff, Missouri passed away in Springfield, Missouri Dec. 11, 2020. Betty was born in Shook, Missouri Nov. 29, 1933 to her parents Maude and Howard Davis. Betty loved caring for her family, cooking, watching the Cardinals play baseball, and Wheel of Fortune...

Timothy Bridgewater, 70, of Poplar Bluff, Missouri passed away at Cape Girardeau, Missouri, Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021. Timothy was born on June 25, 1950 in St. Louis, Missouri. He enjoyed being with family and friends and selling. On Dec. 31, 1973, he married Cheryl Lynn Innes in Poplar Bluff. She preceded him in death on April 4, 2020...

Lindell Wayne Cook, 68, of Augusta, Georgia, passed away peacefully in his sleep Friday, Jan. 1, 2021. He was born to Cloyd and Opal Cook in Poplar Bluff on Aug. 5, 1952. He was a member of the Baptist faith. Lindell owned and operated C’s Delivery in Augusta for the past 20 years. Prior to that, he worked as a dispatcher and in the oils fields in Oklahoma with his brothers. He was well known in the community as a generous man who would always help others in need...

Jerry William McNamee, 85, of Poplar Bluff, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2021. He was born March 30, 1935 in Poplar Bluff. Jerry retired from the Navy after 22 years and served in the Vietnam War. He had also worked for 18 years in the maintenance department at Doctors Hospital in Poplar Bluff...

Timothy Bridgewater NEELYVILLE, Mo. — Timothy Bridgewater, 70, of Poplar Bluff, Missouri passed away at Cape Girardeau, Missouri, Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021. Timothy was born on June 25, 1950 in St. Louis, Missouri. He enjoyed being with family and friends and selling...

Laverne Holt, 86, of Sullivan, Missouri passed away Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021 at Missouri Baptist Hospital in Sullivan. Laverne was born on Feb. 20, 1934 to Charles and Edith (Tipton) Holland in Grandin, Missouri. She married Robert Joseph Holt on Jan. 12, 1952 in Osceola, Arkansas...

Bobby Junior Stone, 87, of Poplar Bluff, passed away Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021. He was born May 2, 1933 in Bernie, Missouri, to the late Elmer Dee Stone and Goldie Omega (Nolen) Stone. In his school days, he was a member of the Bernie High School basketball team. ...

Mary Ellen Gibson, 64, of Doniphan, Missouri, passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2021 at her home. Mrs. Gibson was born on Aug. 1, 1956 in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. She enjoyed deer hunting, taking care of cows, watching westerns, crochet, fishing, cooking and canning...

Andrea Diana Espinosa died Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2020 in Bagley, Minnesota, following a long battle with cancer. She was 43 years old. Andrea was born Nov. 9, 1977, in Poplar Bluff, to Tomas Espinosa, M.D., and Cheryl Wegman Espinosa. Andrea was the granddaughter of Tomas Espinosa and Maria Josefina Alcaraz de Espinosa of Monterrey and Clement Anthony and Mary Anastasia (Nekula) Wegman of St. ...

PIGGOTT, Ark. — Stephen Earl Wright, 65, of Kennett, Missouri, passed away Jan. 4, 2021, at St. Bernard’s Medical Center in Jonesboro, Arkansas. He was born Jan. 20, 1955, in Kennett, and was the son of Earl and Doris (Goldsmith) Wright. He was preceded in death by his father, Earl Wright; mother, Doris Wright; sister, Karen Wright; and daughter-in-law, Christina Wright...

Stephen Wright PIGGOTT, Ark. — Stephen Earl Wright, 65, of Kennett, Missouri, passed away Jan. 4, 2021, at St. Bernard’s Medical Center in Jonesboro, Arkansas. He was born Jan. 20, 1955, in Kennett, and was the son of Earl and Doris (Goldsmith) Wright...

GREENVILLE, Mo. — Shirley Mae Emerson, 86, of Silva, Missouri, passed away Thursday, Jan. 7, 2021, at Clark’s Mountain Nursing Center. She was born in Belair, Louisiana, April 17, 1934, to parents Luther B. and Winnie E. (Sterling) Brown. Shirley was a loving mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend...

Rickey “Rick” Eugene Helton, 65, of Poplar Bluff, Missouri passed away Thursday, Jan. 7, 2021 at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Rick was born Dec. 6, 1955 to Ervin and Vivian Helton in Poplar Bluff. He married Rachel Whitehead June 6, 1975, in Poplar Bluff...

FISK, Mo. — Jean Ann Crum-Ragsdale, 82, of Piggott, Arkansas, died Friday, Jan. 8, 2021 at St. Bernard’s Medical Center in Jonesboro, Arkansas. Mrs. Ragsdale was born Sept. 1, 1938 in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, daughter of the late David Darrel and Lillian Marie Owens...

Anna Marie Goade, 69, of Poplar Bluff, Missouri entered the presence of Jesus Jan. 7, 2021 in Poplar Bluff. Anna was born Jan. 28, 1951 to the late William and Edna May (Kirkhart) Sherman in St. Louis, Missouri. Anna was the custodian at Temple Baptist Church, where she was also a member. ...

FISK, Mo. — Ron Pflueger, 59, of Ellsinore, Missouri, died Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021 at his residence in Ellsinore. Mr. Pflueger was born May 29, 1961 in Dexter, Missouri. He was a special person. He is survived by three brothers: John A. Pflueger of Ellsinore, Dwight Pflueger of Poplar Bluff, and Paul Pflueger of Piedmont; and two sisters: Betty Gifford of Troy, Missouri, and Beverly Henderson of Bernie, Missouri...

CORNING, Ark. — Obie O’Neal Duncan, 91, of Corning, Arkansas, passed away Monday, Jan. 11, 2021 at Five Rivers Medical Center in Pocahontas, Arkansas. Mr. Duncan was born in Hickory Ridge, Arkansas, Dec. 29, 1929. He was retired from rice and soybean farming, but during his life he had worked in construction, a heavy equipment operator, a cattle rancher and the Corning Street Superintendent. ...

Gayle D. Cates, 72, of Ellsinore, Missouri, passed away Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021. He was born in St. Charles, Missouri to the late Eursel Alvil Cate and Geraldine (Brown) Cate. He was a longtime resident of Poplar Bluff and was of the Pentecostal faith...

Melayah Vandenberg, 5 weeks of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, passed away Jan. 4, 2021 at Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri. Melayah was born Nov. 24, 2020 to Jacob Vandenberg Sr. and Mary Ann Beythan in Poplar Bluff. Melayah is survived by mother, Mary Ann Beythan; father, Jacob Vandenberg Sr.; brother, Jacob Vanderberg Jr.; grandmother, Shirley Livingston; grandfather, Howard Livingston; Tata, Carlos A. Beythan; Nana, Nina Vandenberg; Papa, Dennis Vandenberg...

Kalea Lynn King, 16, of Broseley, Missouri, passed away Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021 at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Kalea was born Nov. 17, 2004 in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. Kalea was the light of the room. She was a fighter from day one. Kalea had a beautiful soul that saw the best in everyone and everything. She was the light and spirit the world needed to see and feel. She will be greatly missed but never forgotten...

Harold Lynn Parks of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, passed away Jan. 6, 2021, at the hospital in Springfield, Missouri, at the age of 57. He was born Oct. 17, 1963, in Bonne Terre, Missouri, the son of Harold and Shirley Akers Parks. He married Kristie Southerly Dec. 12 2015, in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. Harold lived in Southeast Missouri all of his life. Known for his kindness and selfless service to others. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and anything with a motor. He could always be found working...

Jason Lee Parris, 45, of Harviell passed away Monday, Jan. 11, 2021. He was born in Belleville, Illinois to Ruth (Rosamond) Parris and the late Joel Parris Sr. He was a longtime resident of Grandin, Missouri. He enjoyed bowling a few frames and fishing for the big one. His grandchildren were his pride and joy...

BLOOMFIELD — Jess Coleman Sheehy, Jr., 88, of Sikeston, Missouri, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2021, at the Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. He was born Aug. 25, 1932 in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, to the late Jess Sheehy, Sr. and Jettie Freda (Miller.) He was a member of the United States Navy from 1952-1956 before receiving an honorable discharge...

Charles B. Saulsbery Sr., 92, of Fort Smith, Arkansas, passed into the loving arms of his Heavenly Father Jan. 10, 2021. He was born Oct. 29, 1928 in Willow Hill Township, Illinois, to Estle and Pansy Saulsbery. Charles, many knew him as Buck, was a veteran of the Air Force, worked as a civil servant for many years, and was a retired truck driver. He was an ordained deacon and a member of First Southern Baptist Church in Central City...

Brandon McVey, 90, of Poplar Bluff passed away Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2021 at his home. Brandon was born Sept. 10, 1930 in Evansville, Indiana to Kenneth and Wanda Brandon McVey. They preceded him in death. Brandon was a retired businessman and teacher in Poplar Bluff. He lived 89 of his 90 years in Butler County and had planned to live there until he was 100 years old, but a heart attack changed those plans when God took him to his new home in Heaven...

Emma Jane Thorne, 83, of O’Fallon, Illinois passed away Saturday, Jan. 16, 2021. She was born in Poplar Bluff on July 26, 1937 to the late Ira Francis and Hazel (Colcher) Francis. She was a longtime resident of Poplar Bluff and Dupo, Illinois. She married David Maurice. While tending to things in the home, she also enjoyed gardening her flowers and of course, her family...

Bruce Gene Pittman, 72, of Poplar Bluff passed away Sunday, Jan. 17, 2021, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Bruce was born Oct. 14, 1948, to Medford and Geraldine Harris Pittman in Poplar Bluff. He and Carolyn “Katie” Willeford were married May 25, 1969, at the First Baptist Church in Poplar Bluff...

Charles W. Lindberg of Poplar Bluff passed away at the age of 90 on Saturday, Jan. 16, 2021, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Charles was born July 17, 1930, in Craig, Nebraska, to Walfrid and Berniece Lindberg.

Rebecca Neal, 85, of Qulin, died Sunday, Jan. 17, 2021, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff. Mrs. Neal was born Oct. 18, 1935, daughter of the late John and Rebecca Jones. She is survived by one daughter, Karen Minton (Leon) of Qulin; one son, Robert (Kim) Daniels of Union, Missouri; one sister, Mary Moser of Douglasville, Georgia; seven grandchildren; four nieces; and one nephew...

Dr. Larry Thacker, a Poplar Bluff native who died in July, is remembered by local friends for his notable career as a public school administrator and love of the outdoors. Thacker, 79, died July 21, 2020, after complications from surgery at a hospital near his home in Seale, Ala...

With great sorrow, our family would like to announce the passing of our beloved, Cheryl Ann Ledbetter. Cheryl lost her long battle with lung cancer on the Thursday, January 14, 2021. Cheryl leaves behind husband, Michael D. Ledbetter; two daughters, Angie A Clayton and Staci L Clayton; her mother, Wilma J Key and brother, Dennis H Key. ...

Warren “David” Rainey, Sr, age 69, of Broseley, died Monday, January 18, 2021 at his residence. Mr. Rainey was born May 18, 1951, son of the late Warren Clayton and Juanita Lucille Rainey. He was an auctioneer and operated J&R Auction in Powe, Mo. and Jordan’s Flea Market for several years...

Charles Eads, 64, of Caledonia, died Sunday, January 17, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St. Louis. Visitation will be at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, January 21, at Word of Life Cowboy Church, Patterson. The funeral will follow at 1:30 p.m. at Word of Life Cowboy Church. Burial is in New Liberty Jacktown Church Cemetery, Clubb...

Frances Boyd, 95, of Poplar Bluff, died Tuesday, January 19, at The Manor, Poplar Bluff. Visitation will be at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, January 23, Ruegg Funeral Home, Greenville Chapel. Funeral service will follow at 2:30 p.m. in the Greenville Chapel. Burial will be in Greenville City Cemetery...

Paul Donald Barker Jr., 64, of Poplar Bluff, died Wednesday, January 13, 2021 at his residence. Mr. Barker was born January 7, 1957 in Rockford, Ill., son of the late Elnora (Prichard) and Paul Donald Barker, Sr. He is survived by two sons, Greg (Ashley) Barker and Adam (Brittney) Barker, all of Poplar Bluff; one sister, Tonya Hunter of Sarasota, Fla. and six grandchildren. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Naomi Barker...

Virginia Luke, 59, of Poplar Bluff, died Tuesday, January 19, 2021, at her residence. Visitation will be at 1 p.m. Monday, January 25, at Ruegg Funeral Home, Williamsville Chapel. The funeral will follow at 2 p.m. in the Williamsville Chapel. Burial is in Rucker Cemetery, Williamsville...

G. S. Kilbreth of Puxico, was born to the late Wayne and Evelyn Kilbreth on April 14, 1947 in McDougal, Ark. and passed away on January 06, 2021 at Southeast Medical Center in Dexter. G. S. had been a resident of Puxico for the last 18 years. He also lived in McDougal, Ark., Rector, Ark. ...

Robert Allen Nelson, 86, of Poplar Bluff, went to be with his Lord Monday, Jan. 18, 2021, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Robert was born Nov. 4, 1934, in Poplar Bluff to John B. and Mable Pearl (Aden) Nelson. He was a member of Palace of Praise. ...

Sharon Kay Butler, 74, of Poplar Bluff, passed away Tuesday, January 19, 2021. She was born April 16, 1946 in Malden to the late Luther Emerson Brown and Hazel Irene (Waddle) Brown. She was of the Baptist faith. She married Bobby Wayne Butler in May 16, 1964 in Malden. She was a lively lady, enjoying singing and dancing, active in the Ladies Auxiliary VFW in Farmington, Mo. as well as caring for her family in the home...

Dean Edward Crudgington, son of the late George ‘Eddie’ Crudgington and Lora Lee (Armes) Crudgington born on August 25, 1955 in Poplar Bluff and departed this life on January 20, 2021 in Fenton, Mo. He had attained the age of sixty-five years, four months and twenty-six days...

Kenneth ‘Dwayne’ Wallace, son of the late Perry Wallace and Vina (Bowers) Wallace was born October 22, 1942 in Mill Spring, Mo. and departed this life on January 19, 2021 in St. Louis. He had attained the age of seventy-eight years two months and twenty-eight days...

Minnie Mae Wisdom Muskopf, 86, of Poplar Bluff, passed away Thursday, January 21, 2021 at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Minnie was born August 21, 1934 to Earl and Katie (Becker) Fulton in Tupelo, Miss. She and Charles William Wisdom were married May 13, 1950 in Poplar Bluff. He passed away August of 1992. She and Russell Raymond Muskopf were married June 1, 1996 in Poplar Bluff. He survives...

Juanita ‘Neete’ Thompson, age 77, of Washington, Mo., formerly of Qulin, died Wednesday, January 20, 2021 at Union Care Center, in Union, Mo. Mrs. Thompson was born February 23, 1943 in Qulin, daughter of the late Robert and Margaret (King) Medlin. She is survived by one son, Jeffrey (Stacy) Thompson of Washington, Mo.; two granddaughters, Megan Jackson of Poplar Bluff and Skylar Thompson of Washington, Mo.; one sister, Shirley Acre of Broseley and two brothers, Louie ‘Bud’ Medlin and Franklin Medlin. ...

Earl R. Wilson of Columbia, Mo., died at the University Hospital on January 17, following hospitalization for the Covid-19 virus. He was born on December 19, 1939 at his grandparents’ home in Butler County, Mo. Earl joined the Navy in 1957. He met the love of his life, his wife, Flo, while he was stationed in Newfoundland, Canada, and they enjoyed 60 years of marriage together. ...

Gary Phillips, 74, of Poplar Bluff, passed away January 24, 2021 at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Mr. Phillips was born Sept. 6, 1946. Due to the circumstances of COVID, the family will announce a memorial service at a later time. Fowler Sullivan Funeral Home in Poplar Bluff entrusted with arrangements...

Oleta E. Harrison, age 87, of Fisk, went to her Heavenly home on Sunday, January 24, 2021. Mrs. Harrison was born November 12, 1933 in Black Oak, Ark., daughter of the late Olen and Pauline (Lentz) Fletcher. She attended the Church of Christ in Fisk. Oleta enjoyed her family, church family and friends. Mrs. Harrison liked flower and vegetable gardening. On September 17, 1949 she married Eugene Harrison. He preceded her in death on November 18, 1998...

Myrtle Hillis Myrtle Lavern Hillis, 75, of Williamsville, Mo., passed away Saturday, January 23, 2021, at her residence. A memorial visitation will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, January 27 at Ruegg Funeral Home, Williamsville Chapel. Memorial service will follow at noon in the Williamsville Chapel. Burial will be at a later date...

Wayne was born November 19, 1925 in Cape Girardeau, Mo. He moved to Poplar Bluff, during his high school years, where he met his wife, Laverne. They were married for 65 years. Wayne attended Westminster College in Fulton, Mo. where he was studying pre-med. ...

Frank Richard Rolla ,77, passed away at his residence in Weirsdale, Fla. on January 20, 2021. Frank was born September 1, 1943 in Chicago, Ill. He married the love of his life, Pamela Mary Rolla on December 18, 1992. Frank was a Veteran of the Vietnam War, having served in the front lines as an artillery officer. He was also a devoted Catholic; serving Christ in every area of the church. He was also knighted a 4th degree Knights of Columbus...

Donna Voyles, age 73, of Wappapello, died January 24, 2021 at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff. Mrs. Voyles was born April 4, 1947 in Fisk, daughter of the late Haskel and Lorell (Arnold) Patterson. On February 8, 1964, she was united in marriage to Dallas Dean Voyles in St. Louis. He preceded her in death on July 17, 2016...

Roy Hall, age 80, of Poplar Bluff, died Monday, January 18, 2021 at Valley Baptist Medical Center, in Harlingen, Texas. Mr. Hall was born November 4, 1940 in Fisk, son of the late Everett and Ossie Hall. He had retired from General Motors. He also owned and operated Hall’s Refrigeration for several years...

Roy G. McGowen, 92, of Poplar Bluff passed away Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2021 at Cedargate Care Center, where he had been a resident for one day. He was born Jan. 31, 1928, to the late Artie Lloyd and Bertha Pennington McGowen. Roy was a veteran of the U. S. Navy having served a tour of duty from 1946-1947. He was assigned to the destroyer, USS Goodrich, which was involved in patrol duty off the coast of Japan...

Baby Reagan Grace Provance, was born Wednesday, January 20, 2021 and passed away Thursday, January 21, 2021, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Visitation will be held at 5 p.m., Friday, January 29 at Ruegg Funeral Home, Piedmont Chapel. Funeral service will be held at noon, Saturday, January 30 in the Piedmont Chapel. Burial will follow in Murphy Cemetery, Piedmont...

Glenda J. Dover, 75, of Southfield, Mich., formerly of Piedmont, died Thursday, January 21, at her residence. Visitation is at 10 a.m., Friday, January 29, at Ruegg Funeral Home, Piedmont Chapel. Funeral service is at 1 p.m., in the Piedmont Chapel. Burial will follow in Masonic Cemetery...

E. Geraldine ‘Gerry’ Potter, 75, of St. Charles, Mo., died Monday, January 25, at her residence. Visitation is at noon Sunday, January 31 at Ruegg Funeral Home, Piedmont. Funeral will follow at 2 p.m. in the Piedmont Chapel. Burial will be in Potter Cemetery, Ellington...

George Donald Johnson, 77, of Poplar Bluff, passed away Sunday, January 24, 2021. He was born May 29, 1943 in Naylor, to the late Ado Johnson and Ines E. Johnson and was a longtime resident of the Naylor area. He was an avid fisherman, enjoyed a few good games of pool and watching the Cardinals baseball team...

Michael Allen Baumann, age 49, of Wappapello, died Tuesday, January 26, 2021 at his residence. Mr. Baumann was born March 04, 1971 in Colorado Springs, Colo., son of the late Thomas and Debra Bauman. He enjoyed sports and was an avid Chicago Cubs and Chicago Bears fan. He loved spending time with his family and his dogs. On July 4, 1992 he married Virginia Castillo. She survives...

NEELYVILLE, Mo. — Thomas “Tommy” Grisham, 50, of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, passed away Jan. 28, 2021 in the Southeast Hospital at Cape Girardeau, Missouri. He was born Oct. 15, 1970 at Poplar Bluff to Wayne and Carole Grisham. On Aug. 6, 2011 at Poplar Bluff, he was married to Sarah Waggoner. She survives...

Dewayne Smith, 62, of Poplar Bluff, passed away on Jan. 28, 2021 at his home. He was born on July 29, 1958 to the late Jim Smith and Mary (Burden) Minton in Poplar Bluff. Dewayne enjoyed farming and collecting John Deere items. He is survived by longtime loving companion, Robin Earls; daughters, Lisa Renee, Haley Ann; stepdaughter, Nancy Earls; stepsons, Josh Earls (Sarah) and Michael Willcut (Ashley); brothers, Mitchell, Mark , Michael Smith, Lee Daugherty, Dannie Daugherty; six grandchildren; as well as numerous nieces nephews and cousins. ...