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Graveside services for Helen (Sylvia) Counts, 91, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, November 17, 2022 at Dry Creek Cemetery, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  

Mrs. Counts passed away at 3:20 a.m., Tuesday, November 8, 2022, at Brooke Haven Healthcare.  

She was born February 20, 1931, at Bellingham, Washington, to Edwin Baker and Wilhelmina (Alma) England Baker.  On February 19, 1949, she was married at Mountain Grove, Missouri, to Dwight Vance Counts, who preceded her in death on April 23, 2006.  Sylvia graduated from Willow Springs High School in 1949.  She was employed at Conway Winters for forty-three years.  She has played violin and harmonica since the age of three and played with local musicians and musical entertainers until the age of ninety.  She was a woman blessed with many talents.  Sylvia was a Christian and was of the Baptist faith.  She will be missed by many as she now embarks on her final journey to be with those whom have gone on before her in their “Heavenly Home” with God. 

She is survived by one daughter, Judy (Counts) Wesley and husband, John, Willow Springs, Missouri and Ramona, California; two sons, Rob Counts and wife, Missy, Raytown, Missouri and Tim Counts, Springfield, Missouri; twelve grandchildren; and nineteen great-grandchildren. 

Her parents, husband of fifty-eight years, Dwight Counts, one daughter, Barbara Counts, two grandsons and two brothers, James Baker and Roy Baker, preceded her in death.  

Visitation services will be held from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Funeral services for Lawrence Dwight Surface, 86, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, November 18, 2022 at China Union Church, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  

Mr. Surface passed away at 11:47 p.m., Friday, November 11, 2022, at Ozarks Medical Center.  

He was born November 21, 1935, in Douglas County, Missouri, south of Cabool near the little town of Ann, which no longer is a town or post office.  Lawrence received his early education in rural schools of Douglas County, Missouri, Iowa and West Plains, Missouri, graduating in 1953.  He attended Southwest Missouri State University (now Missouri State University) in West Plains and Springfield, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in education in 1974 and completed a Master’s Degree in 1983.  Mr. Surface taught sixth grade in the West Plains R-7 district for twenty-three years.  On January 11, 1955, he was married at China Union Church near West Plains, to Joyce Lee Eades.  Mr. Surface was drafted into the United States Army in September of 1958; he served in the Medical Corp and was honorably discharged in September of 1960.  Lawrence was saved and baptized in Kellerton, Iowa at the age of nine years.  He served many years as a church board member, Sunday school teacher, superintendent and Bible camp director.  He looked forward to going to work each morning as a sixth grade teacher.  He served on Glenwood school board for several years stirring within him an interest in going to college and becoming the teacher he was.  Lawrence was a builder, plumber, mechanic and a wonderful daddy and grandpa.  He usually had a beautiful garden and loved sharing his vegetables with friends, neighbors and even strangers.  Lawrence liked to travel extensively in the United States and Canada, and avoided the cold weather by wintering in Texas; he enjoyed fishing, camping, farming and especially being grandpa to his five grandchildren, something he never got to experience with his grandparents.  His horses were his pets.  His greatest desire was to meet all of his family in Heaven one day. 

He is survived by his wife, Joyce Surface; one son, Stacey Surface; one daughter-in-law, Kaye; five grandchildren, Jessica, Logan, Karissa, Cordell and Landen; four great-grandchildren; one brother, Gayle Surface; several nieces and nephews; and many other relatives and friends. 

His parents, B.  L. (Bud) and Gladys Surface, one son, Calvin Lynn Surface, two brothers, Burton C. Surface and Gerald E. Surface, one sister, Leota Eades, his maternal grandparents, John Calvin and Viola Denison and his paternal grandparents, Samuel E. and Litha Surface, preceded him in death.  

Visitation services will be held from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Thursday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  Burial will be in the Evergreen Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to Evergreen Cemetery and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO  65775.

Funeral services for Bob Kirkland, 80, Caulfield, Missouri, will be held at 2:30 p.m., Tuesday, November 15, 2022, in the Rose Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  

Mr. Kirkland passed away at 5:14 p.m., Thursday, November 10, 2022, at NHC HealthCare.

He was born October 26, 1942, at Dawt, Missouri, to Charles Elvis Kirkland and Chloe Walzie Watts Kirkland.  He graduated from Gainesville High School with the class of 1962.  Mr. Kirkland was a veteran, having served with the United States Army during the Vietnam War as an Army Spc. 5.  On September 30, 1988, he was married at West Plains, Missouri, to Cindy Hardcastle.  They were blessed with four children.  Mr. Kirkland was a farmer.  He was also a well driller, owning Kirkland Well Drilling and Pumps.  He enjoyed fishing, deer hunting, working with his family on the farm, and spending time with his grandkids.  Mr. Kirkland was a member of the Church of Christ.

He is survived by his wife, Cindy, of the family home; three children, Rickey Kirkland and wife, Courtney, Jasper, Missouri, Michael Kirkland and wife, Lisa, Caulfield, Missouri, and Robbie Kirkland and wife, Hannah, Republic, Missouri; three grandchildren, Bryson, Melody, and Carter; three sisters-in-law, Barbara Kirkland, Gladstone, Missouri, Mary Ruth Kirkland, West Plains, Missouri, and Joyce Kirkland, Caulfield, Missouri; one brother-in-law, Charles Hardcastle, Bull Shoals, Arkansas; and several nieces and nephews.

His parents, one son, Samuel Allen Kirkland, father- and mother-in-law, Leith and Cecil Hardcastle, five brothers, and one sister, preceded him in death.

Visitation will be from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Monday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  Burial will be at Elijah Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice Compassus or Elijah Cemetery and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO  65775.

Funeral services for Bonnie Lu Bryan, 73, Pomona, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Monday, November 14, 2022, at Dry Creek General Baptist Church, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  

Mrs. Bryan passed away at 8:43 a.m., Tuesday, November 8, 2022, at Cox Health in Springfield, Missouri.

She was born May 27, 1949, at West Plains, Missouri, to Vernon and Fern (Webb) Spence.  She graduated from Willow Springs High School with the Class of 1967. On December 13, 1966, she was married in Pomona, Missouri, to Ronnie Bryan. Mrs. Bryan enjoyed reading, gardening, and working outside. She was a member of Dry Creek General Baptist Church all of her life, where she played the piano. Mrs. Bryan enjoyed helping people and nothing made her happier than being with her family. 

She is survived by her husband, Ronnie, of the family home; two children, Amber Kristek and husband, Chris, Ozark, Missouri, and AAron Bryan and wife, Christa, Springfield, Missouri; six grandchildren, Kindall Kristek, Kamrynn Kristek, Aiden Bryan, Tyson Bryan, Kristian Kristek, and Karrington Kristek; one sister, Donna Romans, Kansas City, Missouri; two sisters-in-law, Betty Adams and husband, Fred, Kansas City, Missouri, and Ann Bryan, Pomona, Missouri; nieces & nephews, Kelley Thompson, Jim Bryan, Glenda Bryan, Jill Chappell, Jo Hill, Randy Corman, and Steve Corman; numerous great nieces and nephews; special friend, Betty Good; and a host of family-like friends.

Her parents and unborn son preceded her in death.

Mrs. Bryan will lie in state from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Sunday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., Monday, at Dry Creek General Baptist Church. Burial will be at Dry Creek Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to General Baptist International Ministries and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO  65775.

A memorial service for James Clark Bird, 84, West Plains, Missouri, will be held from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m., Saturday, November 12, 2022 in the Langston Street Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  

Mr. Bird passed away at 3:52 p.m., Monday, November 7, 2022, at his home.  

He was born April 21, 1938, at Dora, Missouri, to Champ Clark Bird and Winnie Jewell Russell Bird.  On January 11, 1972, he was married at Jay, Oklahoma, to Donna Hall.  Before his retirement, Mr. Bird was the custodial supervisor at Missouri State University.  He handed out love like candy, loved making people laugh and put others before himself.  He loved his dog, Fiesty very much.  He was a hard worker and enjoyed gardening, fishing, metal detecting and was a great cook.  Mr. Bird was a member of Central Church of Christ for several years. 

He is survived by his wife, Donna Bird, of the family home; six children, Chris Bird, Lisbon, Portugal, Brad Bird and wife, Jonna, Ozark, Missouri, Darrell Bird and wife, Donna, State of Colorado, Cheryl Bird, Poteau, Oklahoma, Polly Billa and husband, Charles, West Plains and Phillip Bird and wife, Sarah Ruth, Dothan, Alabama; fifteen grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; one brother, Ray Bird and wife, Debbie, Pottersville, Missouri; and several nieces and nephews. 

His parents, one son, Todd Bird, one grandson, one brother, Guy Bird and one sister, Norma Wilkins, preceded him in death.  

Memorial contributions may be made to Parsons Cemetery and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO  65775.

Funeral services for Pauline Adeline Miller, 100, Birch Tree, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, November 12, 2022 at Pine Hill Assembly of God Church, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  

Mrs. Miller passed away at 8:06 a.m., Sunday, November 6, 2022, at her home.  

She was born January 17, 1922, at Knob Hill, Oregon County, Missouri, to William Walter Pierce and Myrtle Alma Skinner Pierce.  On November 15, 1939, she was married at Alton, Missouri, to Ernest Lee Miller, who preceded her in death on February 20, 1984.  Mrs. Miller was a house keeper and nanny to the Shaw Family; she loved her job.  She enjoyed hunting, gardening, embroidering and reading.  She was a member of the Assemblies of God Church.

She is survived by three children, Vivian Trantham and husband, Glen, Rover, Missouri, Wanda Daves and husband, Bud, Thomasville, Missouri and Hershel Miller and wife, Barbara Jean, Alton, Missouri; one daughter-in-law, Kylene Miller, Thomasville, Missouri; eleven grandchildren; thirty-four great-grandchildren; twenty-three great-great-grandchildren; one sister, Esther  Huddleston, Alton, Missouri; several nieces and nephews; and special caregivers, Kelly and Leah. 

Her parents, husband, one son, Chester Miller, one infant daughter, Leta Miller, one daughter-in-law, Ella Miller, one granddaughter, one great-grandson, one great-granddaughter, seven sisters, Stella, Beulah, Lorene, Gertrude, Bonnie, Bernice, and Eloise and her brothers, Ben, Paul (her twin), Eugene, Edgar, John and Elvin, preceded her in death.  

Visitation will be held from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Friday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Huddleston Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to Thomasville Library or  Pine Hill Assembly of God Church and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO  65775.   The family would like to give special thanks to Three Rivers Hospice for their loving care.

Graveside services for Mahlon Grant Little, 88, Branson, Missouri, formerly of West Plains, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, November 10, 2022 at Howell Valley Cemetery, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  

Mr. Little passed away at 4:00 a.m., Saturday, November 5, 2022, at Cox South, Springfield, Missouri. 

He was born January 31, 1934, in Burlingame, Kansas, to Job and Iva Little. He was the twelfth of thirteen children.  On March 9, 1953, he was married at Salem, Arkansas, to Peggy Lou Myers, who preceded him in death on July 20, 2018.  They celebrated 65 wonderful years.  Mahlon is a veteran of the Korean War. He served honorably as a Sergeant in the United States Marines, earning a Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and a Good Conduct Medal.  Mahlon was a patient man with kind words who led by example. Red, white and blue were prominent throughout his life.  He was an admirable husband and loving father. He will be missed by many.

He is survived by his daughter, Christy Penninger and son-in-law Bob of Springfield, Missouri; his son, Mahlon G. Little II and daughter-in-law Jane of Ruston, Louisiana; and his grandchildren, Montana and Connor Little.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife and all twelve siblings.

Memorial contributions may be made to Tunnels to Towers organization and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO  65775.

Graveside services for Charles Clinton Howard, 84, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, November 11, 2022 at Ball Cemetery, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  

Mr. Howard passed away at 11:57 a.m., Saturday, November 5, 2022, at Mercy Hospital, Mountain View, Missouri. 

Funeral services for Pauline Pearl Woolman, 70, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, November 5, 2022 in the Rose Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  

Mrs. Woolman passed away at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, November 2, 2022, at her home.  

She was born March 3, 1952, at Cabool, Missouri, to Paul and Helen Gephardt Darter.  On August 30, 2007, she was married at West Plains, to Larry Woolman.  Pauline began her nursing career as a CNA and then was an LPN for thirty-five years.  She enjoyed gardening, walking and reading her Bible.  Mrs. Woolman was a Christian.

She is survived by her husband, Larry Woolman, of the family home; one son, Nathan (Nate) Lewis and wife, Penny, Liberty, Missouri; seven grandchildren, Jackson, Isaac, Lily, Asher, Olive, Lydia and Liev; one brother, Lonnie Darter and wife, Sally, Waterloo, Iowa; one sister, Wanda Barker and husband, Richard, Mountain Grove, Missouri; and one daughter-in-law, Courtney Starnes and husband, Christian, Mission Hills, Kansas. 

Her parents, one son, Matthew Lewis, three sisters and her dog, Sandy, preceded her in death.  

Visitation will be held from 1:00 until 2:00 p.m., Saturday at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  Burial will be at Howell Memorial Park Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to Ozarks  Healthcare Hospice and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO  65775.

Graveside services for Gaylia June Conner, 80, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, November 7, 2022, at Howell Memorial Park Cemetery, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  

Mrs. Conner passed away at 2:37 p.m., Sunday, October 30, 2022, at her home.

She was born January 14, 1942 at Hanford, California, to William Custor and Gwenoth Ellen MacLain.  On September 23, 1961, she was married at Lemoore, California, to Leon Monroe Conner II, who preceded her in death November 23, 2021.  Mrs. Conner lived in various places throughout her life, including Alaska, Mississippi, Massachusetts, England, and Nigeria.  She was proud of her Scottish heritage and traveled to Scotland to research her genealogy.  She enjoyed arts, crafts, and painting.  She also enjoyed crocheting little stuffed animals and would send them to kids on Indian reservations that she and her husband visited.  Mrs. Conner was of the Baptist faith.

She is survived by three children, Terri Michelle Belser and husband, Scott, Leon Monroe Conner III, and Timothy Michael Conner and wife, Hao; three grandchildren, Ian Christopher Conner, Elizabeth Jean Conner, and Amy Wei Conner; one brother, Ronald Custor MacLain; and her dog, Libby.

Her parents, husband, and one brother, Elwin Eugene MacLain, preceded her in death.

Burial will be at Howell Memorial Park Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to Disabled American Veterans, St. Bonaventure Indian Mission and School, or St. Labre Indian School and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO  65775.  

A memorial service for Shirley Sue Tyler, 84, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, November 5, 2022 in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  

Mrs. Tyler passed away at 4:05 a.m., Saturday, October 29, 2022, at Ozarks Medical Center.  

She was born January 19, 1938, at Rover, Missouri; Shirley was one of thirteen children born to Walter and Mabel Cowens. Though life was not always easy, she persevered and did so with love and grace. She was a wonderful wife, mom, gramma, granny, sister, daughter, and friend. Shirley loved her family more than her own life and would do anything for them. She was friendly, sweet, kind, fiesty, and an athlete. She is going to be greatly missed!

Shirley is survived by her son, Skip Miller and wife, Kat, Summersville, Missouri; three daughters, Sandy Greenwood, The Colony, Texas, Tammy Johnson and husband, Terry, Mabank, Texas and  Cheryl Tyler, West Plains; daughter-in-law, Margie Miller, Gardner, Kansas; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and her sister, Amy Cowens Dickinson, Melvindale, Michigan.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband John, two sons Randy Miller and Michael Tyler, brothers Ray, Bobby, Jimmie, Roger, David, Charles, Jack, Dennis, Max, Bill, and sister Judy.

Burial will be in the Jolliff Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO  65775.

Graveside services for Ina Faye Collins, 80, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 3:00 p.m., Monday, November 14, 2022 at Dripping Springs Cemetery.  

Mrs. Collins passed away at 11:28 a.m., Thursday, October 27, 2022, at Ozarks Medical Center.  

She was born April 5, 1942, at West Plains, Missouri, to Jonah Pliler and Ida Thompson Pliler.  On October 3, 1958, she was married at West Pains, to Jackie Warren Collins, who preceded her in death on February 17, 2009.  Before her retirement, Faye worked as a secretary at West Vue Nursing Center.  She enjoyed reading, crocheting and taking care of children.  She was a loving aunt, cousin and sister and a friend to many.  

She is survived by special niece, Sarah Hall and husband, John (Curby), West Plains; three grandchildren, Jackie Dawn, Chris and Danielle Collins; seven great-grandchildren, Bricen, Braden, Brenton, Cole, Caleb, Jackie Dale and Joshua; one brother, Gary Pliler and wife, Beverly, Republic, Missouri; one sister, Mildred Young and husband, Jesse, West Plains; and many nieces and nephews .

Her parents, husband, one son, Darrell Lee Collins, one grandson, Derek, one great-grandson, Landon, and her siblings, Bill Ellison, Betty Moorehead, Bobby Darrell Pliler, Dallas Pliler and Teddy Pliler, preceded her in death.  

Arrangements under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. 

Mary Jo Easley departed this life on October 24, 2022, at the age of ninety-six years.  She was born November 4, 1925, in Hornersville, Missouri, to Charles Edward and Viola Amanda Zumwalt Montgomery, cotton farmers in the Missouri bootheel.

She married Arthur Hunter Easley on February 2, 1946.  She often spoke of their first encounter over rows of cotton when she looked into the most beautiful blue eyes she had ever seen as he flashed his movie star smile and won her heart.  After marriage they settled in Hocomo, Missouri, to raise their family.  She had a romantic flare about her and told stories of her childhood in a fashion befitting the big screen.  She spoke of how movies gave her a view into a world outside of her simple farm girl life.  She had the hands of an artist and created beautiful quilts and clothes for her family.  She had an amazing eye for color and never really let anyone acknowledge her talent, seeing it as something of necessity.  She never understood the impact her legacy had on this world and would tell you that she was not made for this time, and she was right.  She was made for a time when Mommas sewed out of necessity, gardened to keep their families fed, and she devoted her whole life to that alone.  She was sassy, fancy, direct, thrifty, inventive, artistic, and loving in her own way.  She will be greatly missed, and though hard for her to believe, forever loved just as she was. 

She is survived by her children, Barbara Jane McTague of Springfield, Missouri, David Warren Easley and wife, Linda, of Gower, Missouri, and Debra Ann Baughman of West Plains, Missouri; twelve grandchildren; twenty-one great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents, all eight of her brothers and sisters, her husband, son-in-law, Jerry McTague, son-in-law, David Baughman, and great-great-grandchild, Noah Kay Jacobs. 

A private graveside service will be held for the family.  Memorial contributions may be made to Brandsville Church of God and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO  65775.

Funeral services for Bernice Marie Sawyer Hensley, 90, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Monday, October 24, 2022 in the Langston Street Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  

Mrs. Hensley passed away at 10:37 p.m., Thursday, October 20, 2022, at West Vue Green House Homes.  

She was born on June 26, 1932, in Only, Tennessee to Eli Newton and Mandy Lou Scott Sawyer. At the age of nine, her family loaded up and left the tobacco fields of Tennessee and moved to the flatlands of Risco, Missouri, where they worked in the cotton fields. It was in those cotton fields that she met a young man from Birch Tree named Dewey Duane Hensley, who would become the love of her life. They were married on March 16, a beautiful spring day in Piggot, Arkansas. Shortly after getting married, they moved to West Plains, Missouri, where they made a wonderful life together, raising their two daughters, Brenda Elaine and Lois June.   Marie worked at Luna’s Laundry and Crones Blackberry Canning Factory before becoming the first woman bottle inspector at the Dr. Pepper Bottling Plant. She continued her career at the Coca-Cola Plant, where she trained other men and women in the trade. In 1974 she became a full-time farmer, raising cattle and feeder pigs. She and Duane became one of the largest feeder pig farmers in the area. They loved traveling with their grandkids to show their pigs.  Marie was a member of Berean Baptist Church since 1960. She enjoyed being a Sunday School and Bible School teacher. She introduced many kids to Jesus and wasn’t afraid to smack them if they got out of line. She loved loading up a bunch of area kids and taking them to bible camp during the summer. She took her calling to the Lord very seriously and was a witness to many. There was always room at her table for one more because her door was always open to share a cup of coffee or a cold coke.   Marie loved playing a competitive game of softball with her Sawyer family. She also enjoyed playing volleyball and was a great bowler, winning many awards. She was active in 4H and the PTA when her girls were young.  She loved going to ballgames, track meets, or any events her grandkids were involved in. She was always ready for a game of cards, horseshoes, or putting a puzzle together. She loved a good water fight or playing in the snow. Mrs. Hensley was a member of Ozark Spring Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution.

She is survived by one daughter, Lois Hensley Frazier and husband, Rick; five granddaughters, Mary Ann Guilliams Kenslow and husband, Scott, Sarah Guilliams Janchyshyn and husband, Michael, Jessica Joice Frazier and fiancé, Clint Warren, Christy Frazier Englehart and husband, Paul and Alison Frazier Head and husband, Danny; one grandson, James Adam Guilliams and wife, Allison; six great-grandsons, Isaac, Caleb, Connor, James David, Dalton and Noah; four great-granddaughters, Avery, Addison,  Heidi Marie and Sydney; two sisters, Mary Lou Wilson and Bet Gwaltney; two sisters-in-law, Vivion Ketron and Nina Hensley-Antel; son-in-law, Jim Guilliams; and many special nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, daughter Brenda Guilliams and siblings, Grace, Grady, and Harice.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Sunday, in the Langston Street Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  Burial will be in the Bethlehem Cemetery, Birch Tree, Missouri.  Memorial contributions may be made to Cystic Fibrosis of West Plains or Berean Baptist Church and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO  65775.

Graveside services for Norma Lee Cooper, 87, Caulfield, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, October 23, 2022 at Amy Cemetery, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  

Mrs. Cooper passed away October 18, 2022, at Mercy Hospital, Springfield, Missouri.  

She was born April 24, 1935 at Rover, Missouri to John Lafayette Harris and Bessie Huddleston Harris. Norma attended school at Thomasville, Missouri and graduated with the Class of 1952. After graduating she moved to West Plains and lived with her Aunt Nora Harris Adams and worked at the Cinderella Confectionery. On April 26, 1953 she was married at Melbourne, Arkansas, to James Henry Cooper, who preceded her in death on July 14, 1991.  They lived at Ft Benning, Georgia where James was stationed in the Army. She is survived by one daughter, Vicki Lynn Cooper who was born at Ft. Benning. After service she and her family moved to West Plains.  Norma was a homemaker and was a babysitter for several years. Later, she was employed at International shoe Factory. The year 1967 they moved to the Cooper family farm where they ran a dairy and continued to work at the International Shoe factory. After Jim’s death she continued to farm with the help of her Grandson, LJ Tackitt. She farmed until her death at the age of 87.  Mrs. Cooper was a member of the Assembly of God Church.

She is survived by her daughter, Vicki Lynn Cooper, Caulfield, Missouri; one granddaughter, Kala Trantham and husband, Bryan, Caulfield, Missouri; her great-grandson, Cooper James Trantham; Leland Tackitt, Cooper’s Papa; sister-in-law, Lola Brown, Caulfield; and several nieces and nephews.

Her parents, husband, one grandson, LJ Tackitt, two brothers Kenneth Harris (Dessie) and John Harris (Dot), four sisters, Eunice Huddleston (Buster), Velma Walker (Roy), Margie Amyx (James) and Joann Willard (Edward), her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Lloyd and Hester Cooper, one nephew, Kenny Harris, and five nieces, Vonna and Vonda, Cathy Amyx, Sueann Walker Branum and Janice Amyx, preceded her in death.  

Memorial contributions may be made to Amy Cemetery or Elk Creek Cemetery and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO  65775.

Tovia Kalani Auala Jr. departed this life on Wednesday, October 19, 2022 at his home.

He was born on June 14, 1963 in Honolulu, Hawaii to Tovia and Elaine (Navarro) Auala.  Tovia married Elquin Malone on November 14, 1992 in Kaneohe, Hawaii. They moved to Mtn. View, MO in the fall of 1994. Later, they moved to West Plains, and in the fall of 2021 they returned to Mtn. View.  Tovia worked as an electrical lineman for the City of West Plains until his retirement in December 2021.  Tovia was a devoted Christian and a member of the Washington Avenue Church of Christ. He loved teaching the teenagers, not only about God, but also about the Hawaiian and Samoan cultures.  He loved the outdoors. He loved hunting, fishing, coaching soccer, coaching swim team, and anything related to the ocean or river.  

He was preceded in death by his father, Tovia Auala. 

Survivors include his wife, Elquin Auala, of Mtn. View, Missouri; mother, Elaine Auala of Waimanalo, Hawaii: children, Kalani Auala of Kahaluu, Hawaii, Travis Auala of Florida, Jonathon-Michael Auala of Waimanalo, Hawaii, Zachary Auala of Reisterstown, Maryland, and Anela Auala of Nixa, Missouri; siblings, Theresa Kossman of Waimanalo, Hawaii, Janie Martin of Makakilo, Hawaii, Jonathon Auala of Waianae, Hawaii, Michael Auala of Mountain View, Hawaii, Monica Yeoman of Norfolk, England, Margaret Gutierrez of Twenty-nine Palms, California; four grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

All are invited to join the Celebration of Tovia’s Life on Saturday, November 26th at the Magnolia Room in the West Plains Civic Center at 2:00 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to Children’s Homes Inc. in Paragould AR or the Churches of Christ Disaster Relief Fund and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO  65775.

Funeral services for Rita Sharon (Gilliam) Fugate, 81, Overland Park, Kansas, formerly of West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, October 24, 2022 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  

Mrs. Fugate passed away at 8:10 p.m., Wednesday, October 19, 2022, at her home.  

She was born in Tama County, Iowa on March 27, 1941, to Ted and Jeanette Gilliam. Rita grew up in Peace Valley, Missouri and attended St. Joseph’s grade school in White Church, and later West Plains High School. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics Education from Southwest Missouri State University in 1962. She began her education career in Houston, Missouri in the fall of 1962. In July 1965 she married her husband and lifelong best friend and partner Royce Fugate. In April of 1967 their only son Charles was born.  Rita was passionate about teaching and education. She taught for fifteen years in the Jefferson City School System, earned a Master’s Degree in Math Education from the University of Missouri, taught for two years in the Metropolitan Community Colleges of Kansas City, and served as an educational consultant for IBM, before arriving in 1993 at Missouri State University in West Plains. There she eventually served as Department Head of Math & Science and Interim Acting Dean, but the classroom was what she loved best, and she always found her way back to teaching students. She retired from teaching in 2009.  Rita was always active in the Catholic parishes she attended. She belonged to and supported many civic organizations: she was a founding member of Willow Springs Community Foundation and West Plains Community Foundation, and a member of Mountain View’s St. Francis Hospital Auxiliary Foundation, Willow Springs Rotary (first female member), and Habitat For Humanity. Awards and honors she received included Willow Springs Woman Of  The Year, West Plains Educator of the Year, MSU Excellence in Community Service, MSU Distinguished Faculty/Staff Award, and with Royce was inducted into MSU Founders Club.  Throughout her life she took great joy from vegetable gardening, needlework, and cards (bridge and pitch–Peace Valley Rules). She enjoyed yearly lake vacations skiing and fishing, as well as time spent traveling and attending professional events with Royce at her side.

She is preceded in death by her husband Royce, parents Ted and Jeanette Gilliam, three brothers, John (and wife Lu), Mick, and Dennis Gilliam, one sister, Karen (Gilliam) Jones, and nephew Kyle Gilliam.

She is survived by her son, Charles Fugate and husband, Joseph O’Malley of Overland Park, Kansas; brother-in-law, Roy Jones; two sisters-in-law, Donna Gilliam and Karen Gilliam; nieces and nephews, Jackie Jones, Craig (Carlissa) Gilliam, Chris (Denisea) Gilliam, Curt (Kim) Gilliam, Brandin (Terra) Gilliam, Cayla (Scott) Broseus and Kristen (Lem) Kornegay; and several great-nieces and great-nephews.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Sunday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  Burial will be at Howell Memorial Park Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to Rita Fugate Endowed Scholarship awarded on the Missouri State University-West Plains campus (checks payable to MSU Foundation) and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO  65775.

Funeral services for Nora Elizabeth (Betty) Walker, 95, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, October 22, 2022 at First Freewill Baptist Church, 1814 County Road 6460, West Plains, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  

Mrs. Walker passed away peacefully at 1:00 p.m., Monday, October 17, 2022, at Ozarks Medical Center.  

She was born July 28, 1927, at Elm Store, Arkansas, to Frank Brewer and Ruby Louisa Dunkin Brewer.  On August 17, 1946, she was married at Billmore, Missouri, to J. R. Walker, in a double wedding with her brother, Hubert Glen Brewer and his bride, Virginia Payne.  Betty wore many hats during her lifetime.  As a young lady she worked in the World War II War Plant, in St. Louis, and then spent 17 years in the office of International Shoe Company.  While working, she attended college at what is now Missouri State University, earning both a Bachelor of Science in Education degree and a Master’s degree in Education.  She taught many first graders over her teaching career and she loved every single one of them.  When she retired from teaching, Betty owned and operated the South Fork Store for many years.   Over all these years she met a lot of people and made many, many friends, as she was always a friend to everyone.  Mrs. Walker was the only surviving charter member of the First Freewill Baptist Church in West Plains. She loved her church and her church family and attended from its inception in 1956, until her health prevented her from attending. 

She leaves behind her son, James R. Walker and wife, Juanita, of West Plains; two daughters, Shirley Rodriguez and husband, Santos, West Plains and Debbie Bonham and husband, Blake, Caulfield, Missouri; ten grandchildren; twenty-five great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren, with two more on the way. 

Her parents, Frank and Ruby Brewer, her husband of almost fifty years, J. R. Walker, her brother and sister-in-law, Hubert and Virginia Brewer, a son-in-law, Ronnie Skiles, one great-grandson, Chase Johns and a nephew, Douglas Brewer, preceded her in death.  

Mrs. Walker will lie in state from 5:00 until 9:00 p.m., Friday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  The family will receive their friends from 1:00 until 2:00 p.m., Saturday at First Freewill Baptist Church.  Interment will be alongside her husband at Howell Memorial Park Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Gideon Bible Society and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO  65775.

Funeral services for Michael Ted (Mick) Gilliam, 69, Peace Valley, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, October 22, 2022 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Willow Springs, Missouri, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  

Mr. Gilliam passed away from this life, into the arms of our Lord at 7:55 a.m., Sunday, October 16, 2022, at his home.  

He was born December 18, 1952, in West Plains, Missouri, the son of Theodore Raymond and Jeanette Elizabeth Boss Gilliam.  He was united in marriage to Donna Jean Miller on April 24, 1976 in Mountain View, Missouri.  To this union two children were born, Theodore Kyle and Brandin Gene. 

One of Mick’s most deep-seated emotions is care and concern for his fellow man, particularly cognizant of his family and many friends. Mick has faithfully served St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in White Church, Missouri in many capacities, including as President of its Parish Council, and has served the Diocese of Springfield – Cape Girardeau as a member of the Peace and Justice Commission and the Missouri Catholic Conference Public Policy Committee, and a Charter Member and later Chairman of the Board of Catholic Charities of Southern Missouri. Mick joined the Knights of Columbus as a charter member of Archbishop Fulton Sheen Council No. 7442 in Willow Springs, Missouri, in November 1979; and is also a charter member and charter Faithful Navigator of St. John Paul II Assembly 3196 in West Plains, Missouri.   He served as Grand Knight and multiple positions throughout his local council. He progressed thru the State Council chairs to become the Missouri State Deputy in 2006-2008, and continued to serve as the 4th degree District Master of Missouri from 2010-2012. Mick was appointed as a Supreme Director by the Board of Directors in October 2010, to fill the unexpired term of retiring Supreme Secretary Donald R. Kehoe; was elected to his first full term by the delegates to the 129th Supreme Convention in Denver, Colorado, in 2011; was re-elected for his second term at the 132nd Supreme Convention in Orlando, Florida, in 2014; and was re-elected to his third and final term as a member of the Board of Directors during the 135th Supreme Convention in St. Louis, Missouri, in 2017. Mick received a BA in Economics from the University of Missouri (Rolla) and an MBA from Southwest Missouri State, and made his career as a coach, an adult educator and as a fulltime farmer – his first love – the family farm. Mick and Donna preferred the byways to the flyways, the country roads to the airports, two lane roads to the tarmac, with Donna driving and Mick navigating as they saw much of our nation on their way to and from Knights of Columbus meetings.

He is survived by his wife, Donna Jean, of the family home; one son, Brandin Gilliam and wife, Terra, Peace Valley, Missouri; four grandchildren, Zepplyn, Jethro, Jopplyn and Creedence, all of Peace Valley; one sister, Rita Fugate, Kansas City, Missouri; one sister-in-law, Karen Gilliam, West Plains; one brother-in-law, Roy Jones, Springfield, Missouri; and a host of nieces, nephews and friends

His parents, one son, Theodore Kyle, three siblings, John Gilliam, Karen Jones and Dennis Gilliam, one sister-in-law, Lula Gilliam and one brother-in-law, Royce Fugate, preceded him in death.  

Visitation services will be held from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Friday, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church.  Burial will be in the Howell Memorial Park Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to Knights of Columbus (Developmental Center at Cardinal Glennon, St. Louis) and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO  65775.