Obituaries

Funeral services for Linda “Joan” Gentry Rose, 66, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, July 24, 2016 in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mrs. Rose quietly passed away at 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 19, 2016, in her home following a long and courageous battle against both lung cancer and leukemia.

Joan was born September 17, 1949 in Lyons, Kansas to June Lewis and was raised by her grandparents, Robert and Rachel Cannon. She graduated high school from West Plains Senior High in 1967.  On December 25, 1976, she married David Lee Gentry and begat two children, after which the marriage conceded. She was then introduced to Lloyd Robert Rose, Jr. who courted her for twenty years until they were united in holy matrimony in 2006. Lloyd preceded her in death on April 4, 2016.  During her lifetime, Joan was a respiratory therapist for thirty-five years. She loved all types of animals, making homemade jewelry, gardening, traveling and especially being a proud mother and grandmother. Joan was a loyal, longtime member of the First Baptist Church of West Plains.

She is survived by three children: daughter Dawna Gravley and husband Corbin, of Tucson, Arizona; Phillip Gentry and partner, Sonia Holt, of West Plains, Missouri; and Willie Gentry and partner, Rhonda Byers, of Portland, Oregon. She is also survived by four granddaughters: Chelsie Thornton, whom she raised and who lived with her as a daughter, Shelby Cockrum, Danerys Gravley, and Alexa Gentry. Furthermore, she is survived by four siblings: Bill Lewis and wife Jan of Monroe City, MO; Brenda Griffin and husband, Ed of West Plains, MO; Walter James Lewis and wife, Sabrina of Wentzville, MO; and Jana Mayle, also of West Plains, MO.  She was blessed by many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Saturday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Burial will be in the New Liberty Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the West Plains Regional Animal Shelter or to the Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri, and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Funeral services for Ronald (Ronnie) James Brixey, 67, St. Charles, Missouri, formerly of West Plains, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, July 23, 2016 in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Ronnie died Monday, July 18, 2016, at Barnes Jewish Hospital, St. Peters, Missouri.  He was born April 23, 1949 at Kansas City, Missouri to Fred James Brixey and Agnes Wood Brixey. Ronnie enjoyed watching the re-runs of the Gomer Pyle TV shows, loved to sing and was a Kansas City Chiefs fan. He recently received a special visit by the Kansas City Wolf, the mascot for the Kansas City Chiefs. He was a jolly person, never knew a stranger and had a smile for everyone. Ronnie would salute the men, shake their hands and would kiss the ladies hands.

He is survived by his mother, Agnes Brixey, St. Charles, Missouri; his aunt, Oralee Cearley; and cousins, Barbara Ledford and Carolyn Hoover.

His father and one brother, Dennis Brixey, precede him in death.
Visitation will be from 6:00 until 7:00 p.m., Friday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Howell Memorial Park Cemetery.

Graveside services for Kayden James Schafer-Smith, 4, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, July 20, 2016, at Howell Memorial Park Cemetery, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Kayden passed away at 5:32 p.m., Saturday, July 16, 2016 at Mercy St. Francis Hospital, Mountain View, Missouri.

He was born November 6, 2011, at West Plains, Missouri, to Nathan Smith and Melody Schafer Miller.  Kayden attended West Plains Head Start and loved his family, playing with his dinosaurs, singing songs and playing with his friends.

He is survived by his parents, Nathan Smith and Melody Schafer Miller; his grandparents, Randall Schafer, Waunita Schafer, Lloyd and Kathy Goss and Stan and Tammy Smith; great-grandparents, Owen and Judy Smith, Youvah Schafer and Wanda Clouse; one brother, Kashton Smith; aunts and uncles, Tony and Melody Francis, Jackie and Shaun Ingalsbe, Clayton Schafer, Jacob and Melissa Montgomery, Taylor and Tyler Reavis, Randi Schafer, Ashley Smith and Brian Smith; and several cousins, Piper Francis, Haylee Ingalsbe, Logyn Ingalsbe, Ramzi Schafer, Leighton Reavis, Kale Smith, Kelvie Smith and Reavis baby on the way.

His great-grandparents, Boyd Schafer, Edith Turner, Oscar Smith and Wayne Clouse, precede him in death.

Kayden will lie in state from 5:00 until 9:00 p.m., Tuesday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.   Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

A memorial service for Emil Oren Girdley, 85, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, July 16, 2016 at First Christian Church.

Mr. Girdley passed away at 2:25 p.m., Tuesday, July 12, 2016 at NHC Healthcare.

He was born April 10, 1931, at West Plains, Missouri, to Leslie Girdley and Inez Minnich Girdley.  He graduated from West Plains High School with the Class of 1950 and on August 25, 1960, was married at Fairbanks, Alaska, to Lydia Romans.  Before his retirement, Mr. Girdley was a truck driver for Ozark Gas Co.  He enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening, raising flowers and singing; he also enjoyed playing pool and winning tournaments.  Mr. Girdley was a member of First Christian Church.

He is survived by his wife, Lydia Girdley, of the family home; four children, Bunny Thompson and husband, Mike, Theodosia, Missouri, Veda Doss and husband, Ron, Sam Girdley and Lynn Girdley and wife, Carolyn, all of West Plains; fourteen grandchildren, Derek Thompson, Keri Woods and husband, Brandon, Jay Shelton and wife, Heather, Holly Carlson and husband, Cory, Nicole Rothove, Debbie Leach, Tammy Henderson, Mark Doss and wife, Kathy, Shea Girdley, Bryce Girdley and wife, Casey, Kalyn Girdley, Angel Holman and husband, Allen, Brian Simpson and Lacey Uphaus and husband, Brian; twenty-nine great-grandchildren; nine great-great-grandchildren; one half-brother; three half-sisters; and several nieces and nephews.

His parents, step-father, James Porter, two sisters, Evelyn Bridges and Becky Bentzel Massey and one brother, Kenneth Girdley, precede him in death.

Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital or the Gideon Bible Society and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Graveside services for Charles Lynn Pendergrass, 84, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, July 12, at Howell Memorial Park Cemetery, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mr. Pendergrass passed away at 12:09 a.m., Friday, July 8, 2016 at his home.

He was born May 20, 1932, in Ozark County, Missouri, to Edward Pendergrass and Nola Freeman Pendergrass.  Mr. Pendergrass was a veteran, having served with the United States Army during the Korean Conflict.  On May 28, 1955, he was married at Crider, Missouri, to Nora Louise Caplinger.   He was a truck driver and worked for Ozark Asphalt Company for many years.  He enjoyed gardening and fishing and loved to raise a big garden and give away produce to family and friends.

He is survived by his wife of sixty-one years, Nora “Louise” Pendergrass; three children, Lynn Pendergrass, Sonda Brown and husband, Keith and Theresa Mefford and husband, David; five grandchildren, Steven Brown and wife, Amber, Lacy Walker and husband, Kevin, David Mefford and wife, Jessica, Sara Mefford and Keri Mefford; ten great-grandchildren, Kaylee, Hayden, Lillian, Natalie, Jaxxon, Kinley, Khloe, Joel, Parker and Grayson; three brothers, Eli Pendergrass, Dale Pendergrass and wife, Betty and Larry Pendergrass and wife, Sandra; four sisters, Geneva Johnson and husband, Eugene, Doroline Barnes, Ann Newton, Shirley Hart and husband, Robert; one sister-in-law, Thelma Pendergrass; one brother-in-law, J. D. Thompson ; and many nieces and nephews.

His parents, one great-grandson, Nicholas Dustin Ross-Mefford and thirteen siblings, Claude and Madge Pendergrass, Verlie and Charlie Freeman, Orpha and Eli Freeman, Elmer “Buck” and Nava Pendergrass, Dorothy and Howard Abbott, Carl and Geneva Parsley, Gene “Jack” and Mary Helen Pendergrass, T. J. and Evalee Parsley, Estel Pendergrass, Paul and Donna Pendergrass, Una and Emmert Lambert, Pauline “Polly” Thompson and Ronnie Pendergrass, one sister-in-law, Louise Pendergrass and two brothers-in-law, Denzil Barnes and Doin Newton, precede him in death.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Ozarks Honor Flight or Eaton Cemetery, and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Funeral services for Phyllis Myrtle Deatherage Wild, 83, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, July 9, 2016 in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mrs. Wild passed away at 9:35 p.m., Sunday, July 3, 2016 at West Vue Nursing Center.

She was born July 10, 1932, at Moody, Missouri, to Robert “Bob” Robinson and Bertha Ellen Broyles Robinson.  She graduated from Bakersfield High School with the Class of 1949.  On February 21, 1950, she was married at Sturkie, Arkansas, to William Virgil Deatherage, who preceded her in death on July 2, 1998.  In 1999, she was married to Franklin “Frank” Ottie Wild, who preceded her in death on July 30, 2007.  Mrs. Wild worked at Montgomery Ward in Kansas City, was the owner and operator of Leota Store and Marathon Electric, now known as Regal, before her retirement.  She enjoyed embroidery and quilting; making many quilts for families that lost their homes to fire.  Phyllis, along with Jackie Broyles started the “Broyles Family Reunion” in 1981; she had served as Treasurer for the Free Union Cemetery and Moody Community Association.  She was known as Granny Phyllis or Aunt Phyllis to many.  Mrs. Wild was a member of the Church of Christ, and had attended Free Union, Central, Curry Street and Moody Churches of Christ.

She is survived by one daughter, Dianna Feller and husband, Mike, West Plains, Missouri; seven grandchildren, Shauntai Camron, Willie Harris and wife, Christy, Adam Harris, Kay Lynn Kramer and husband, Matt, Tina Flanagan and husband, Patrick, Bob Feller and wife, Kari and Sheila Spencer and husband, Mike; six great-grandchildren, Austin, Baylee, Logan, Hadley, Khloe and Lincoln; several step-great-grandchildren that loved her dearly; one sister, Mary Perry and husband, Louis, West Plains, Missouri; one sister-in-law, Mary Robinson, Springfield, Missouri; and many nieces and nephews.

Her parents, husbands, two sons, Randall Eugene Deatherage and Calvin Rex Deatherage, one sister, Beulah and three brothers, Dale, Dane and Charley, precede her in death.

Mrs. Wild will lie in state from 10:00 a.m., Friday, until service time at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Free Union Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to West Vue Nursing Center’s Memory Care Unit for activities and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Funeral services for Wanda Lee House McCulloch, 70, Caulfield, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, July 9, 2016 at Elijah Church of Christ, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mrs. McCulloch passed away at 2:21 p.m., Monday, July 4, 2016 at West Vue Nursing Center.

She was born April 3, 1946, at Elijah, Missouri, to Joseph Ray House and Edna Bowen House. She attended Fairview, a one room school, at Elijah, Missouri and graduated from Bakersfield High School with the Class of 1964.  She was married August 10, 1979, at Mountain Home, Arkansas, to Larry McCulloch, who preceded her in death July 4, 1997.  She lived in Hillsboro, Texas for twenty years, where she owned and operated “Poppers & Sweets”, a flower and gift shop.  She enjoyed crafts, making jewelry and designing flower arrangements.  She was a devoted care giver to her family and her husband’s family.  Mrs. McCulloch was of the Church of Christ faith.

She is survived by one brother, Mike House and wife, Linda; one sister, Bonnie House;  nephew, Jason House and wife, Bobbi; great-niece, Baley KaMarie and her best friend and great-niece Jaidyn Mae, all of Caulfield, Missouri; and a special family friend, Jeanie Atkinson Petrus, West Plains, Missouri.

Her parents and husband precede her in death.

Mrs. McCulloch will lie in state from 4:00 until 9:00 p.m., Friday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Elijah Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Funeral services for Sherwina Ann Conley, 74, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 1:00 p.m., Sunday, July 10, 2016 in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mrs. Conley passed away at 6:27 p.m., Tuesday, July 5, 2016 at Ozarks Medical Center.

She was born March 14, 1942, at Springfield, Missouri, to Robert L. Clifton and Edith Brunson Clifton.  Sherwina graduated from Hillcrest High School, Springfield, Missouri, with the Class of 1959.  She was married June 6, 1960, at Fordland, Missouri, to Denney Conley.  Sherwina enjoyed crafting and knitting.  Mrs. Conley was a Christian.

She is survived by her husband of fifty-six years, Denney Conley, of the family home; six children, Denney Conley, Jr., and wife, Angie, State of South Carolina, Patricia May and husband, Stoney, West Plains, Missouri, Tim Conley, Sacramento, California, Elizabeth Kirchner and husband, Paul, State of Kansas, Matthew Conley and Glenn Conley, both of Sacramento, California; seventeen grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren.

Her parents, one son, Michael Joseph Conley and one great-granddaughter, Kristina, precede her in death.

Visitation will be from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Saturday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Vietnam Memorial Wall and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Funeral services for Sandra Nadine Brame Mayo, 72, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, July 11, 2016 in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Sandra passed away at 3:46 a.m., Thursday, July 7, 2016 at NHC Healthcare.

She was born May 22, 1944, at Van Buren, Missouri, to Cleo Brame and Lola McSpadden Brame.  She was married to Howard Mayo and to this union two children were born, Harold and Stephanie.  Before her retirement, Sandra worked in the Dietary departments at West Vue Nursing Center and Pleasant Valley Manor.  She also held a cosmetologist license.  Sandra enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, reading, playing bingo and visiting with friends.

She is survived by two children, Harold Mayo and wife, Cheryl, Batesville, Arkansas and Stephanie Mayo, West Plains, Missouri; two grandchildren, Josephine and Jaclyn; one brother, Kenneth Brame; and one niece and one nephew.

Her parents precede her in death.

Visitation will be from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m., Sunday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Burial will be at 2:00 p.m., Monday, at Dry Valley Cemetery, Van Buren, Missouri.

Graveside services for Nina Jean Stith, 89, Koshkonong, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Monday, July 11, 2016 at Wayside Cemetery, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mrs. Stith passed away at 7:10 p.m., Thursday, July 7, 2016 at West Vue Nursing Center.

She was born January 6, 1927, at Koshkonong, Missouri, to Roy and Anna Mittlesteder Bussell.

Memorial contributions may be made to Wayside Cemetery and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Graveside services for Nancy Lee Crider, 81, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, July 5, 2016 at Dripping Springs Cemetery, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mrs. Crider passed away at 10:27 p.m., Friday, July 1, 2016 at her home.

She was born August 24, 1934, at Salem, Missouri, to Edward Andrew Loughridge and Nancy Elizabeth Woods Loughridge.  On April 8, 1953, she was married at Salem, Arkansas, to John Paul Crider, who preceded her in death on April 8, 2005.  She loved all of her kids, family and church family and enjoyed cooking.  Mrs. Crider was of the Methodist faith and attended Smith Chapel Church.

She is survived by three children, Anita Johnson and husband, Ed, West Plains, Missouri, John David Crider and wife, Michelle, Tucson, Arizona and Michael Crider and wife, Vickey, Springfield, Missouri; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Her parents, husband, two brothers and one sister, precede her in death.

Mrs. Crider will lie in state from 5:00 until 9:00 p.m., Monday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.   Memorial contributions June be made to Dripping Springs Cemetery and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Funeral services for Freda Fay Williams, 75, Pottersville, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Monday, June 27, 2016 at Gospel Hill Church of Christ, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mrs. Williams passed away at 12:15 a.m., Thursday, June 23, 2016 at Ozarks Medical Center.

She was born June 17, 1941, at Pottersville, Missouri, to William Franklin “Bill” Sexton and Edna Hudlow Sexton.  Freda graduated from Bakersfield High School and on May 16, 1959, was married at West Plains, Missouri, to Charles Williams.  She was a homemaker and enjoyed crafts and singing.  Mrs. Williams was a member of the Church of Christ and attended Gospel Hill Church of Christ.

She is survived by her husband of fifty-seven years, Charles “Lester” Williams, of the family home; one son, Robert Dale, Williams, Springfield, Missouri; three grandchildren, Patricia, Charles and Melissa; thirteen great-grandchildren; two brothers, Don Sexton and wife, Venetta, West Plains, Missouri and Fred Sexton, Wichita, Kansas; one sister, Fern Hight, Filer, Idaho; and several nieces and nephews.

Her parents, one son, Donald Joe Williams, one brother, Roy Sexton and one sister, Linda Bradford, precede her in death.

Visitation will be from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Sunday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Gospel Hill Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to Gospel Hill Cemetery and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Funeral services for James Elvin Hammond, 74, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, June 24, 2016 in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mr. Hammond passed away at 1:48 p.m., Monday, June 20, 2016 at NHC Healthcare.

He was born November 16, 1941, at Sturkie, Arkansas, to Lester D. “Lek” Hammond and Emma Carmack Hammond Workman.  He graduated high school with the Class of 1959 at Salem, Arkansas.  Mr. Hammond was a veteran, having served with the United States Army during the Vietnam War; he was a decorated Vietnam veteran, having received medals as a rifle marksman and Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal.  On October 17, 1980, he was married at Union Grove Church, Pottersville, Missouri, to Beverly Collins.  He worked at West Plains Monument for thirty-six years; he engraved and sold monuments alongside Joe Bill Wright.  Jim worked hard to take care of his family and enjoyed fishing and spending time with his family.  Mr. Hammond was a member of the Church of Christ and attended Central Church of Christ.

He is survived by his wife, Beverly Hammond, of the family home; four children, Mark Hammond and wife, Gayla, West Plains, Missouri, Lester Dwayne Hammond and wife, Michelle, Moko, Arkansas, Coyeatte Ewing and husband, Jon, Springfield, Missouri and Meshell Fox, Austin, Texas; ten grandchildren, Jacob and Jessica Hammond, Steven and Stephanie Olmsted, Erica and Briley Ewing and Tyler, Jesstin, Taylor and Austin Fox; eight great-grandchildren, Jaedyn, Jensen, Jaxston, Kayden, Amity, Grayson, Faith “Crickett” and Bryson; one brother, Larry “Peanut” Hammond, Salem, Arkansas; and several nieces and nephews.

His parents, one brother, Billy Wayne Hammond and his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Sterling and Irene Collins, precede him in death.

Visitation will be from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Thursday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Burial will be in the State Line Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to Fair Haven Children’s Home and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Funeral services for William Thomas Hicks, 88, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, June 21, 2016 in the Rose Chapel, Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mr. Hicks died 6:54 a.m., Saturday, June 18, 2016 at his home. He was born November 2, 1927 at Trail, Missouri to William Riley Hicks and Lola Leona Tate Hicks. On August 2, 1951, he was married at Hardy, Arkansas to Minnie Belle Talley who preceded him in death on January 13, 2016. At the time of his wife’s death, the couple were married for sixty-four years. Mr. Hicks was a veteran having served in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict. Before his retirement, Mr. Hicks was a truck driver and was an owner and operator for many years. He enjoyed farming and spent much of his free time working his farm. Mr. Hicks loved and enjoyed his family, and considered many of his family members as his closest friends. He strived to be a strong provider for his family and was very devoted to his wife, children and grandchildren. Mr. Hicks had recently become a Christian and was a member of the Curry Street Church of Christ.

He is survived by his daughter, Jan Hall and husband, Larry, West Plains, Missouri; his son, Bruce Hicks and his wife, Madalyn, West Plains, Missouri; four grandchildren, Chad Hall, St. Charles, Missouri, Mandy Pitts and husband, Chad, West Plains, Missouri, Cassie Hicks, Prairie Village, Kansas and Ross Hicks and wife, Abbey, West Plains, Missouri; two great-grandchildren, Kelsey and Luke Pitts; his sister, Juanita Smith; two sisters-in-law, Margie Ryan and Betty Green and husband,Kenneth; one brother-in-law, Bill Talley and wife, Sharon; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, wife, four sisters, Lorene Aborn, Burnica Thompson, Iretta Young and Pauline Billups, one brother, Dwayne Hicks, five sisters-in-law, Helen Burford, Lorraine Provow, Pauline Miladin, Hazel Henson and Cassie Heinrich and three brothers-in-law, Melvin Talley, Oscar Talley and Donald Talley.

Visitation will be from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Monday, June 20th, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Oak Lawn Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Riverways Hospice and left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Graveside services for Harrison Wayne Clark Keeney, stillborn infant son of Dakota and Amanda Hobbs Keeney, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, June 17, 2016 in Babyland at Howell Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Harrison was called to be with the Angels on Tuesday, July 14, 2016 at the Ozarks Medical Center, West Plains.

He is survived by his parents, Dakota and Amanda Keeney, West Plains, Missouri; maternal grandparents, Arthur and Susan Hobbs, West Plains, Missouri and paternal grandparents, Clark and Tracey Buffington, Alton, Missouri.

Funeral services for Beryl Emmett Martin, 96, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, June 15, 2016 in the Rose Chapel, Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mr. Martin died 10:20 p.m., Sunday, June 12, 2016 at the West Vue Nursing Center, West Plains. He was born August 21, 1919 at Moko, Arkansas to James Thomas Martin and Laura Holloway Martin. On November 16, 1937, Mr. Martin was married at Moko, Arkansas to Susie Ellen Fuller who preceded him in death on December 6, 2009. He was a veteran having served with the United States Army during World War II. Before his retirement, Mr. Martin was employed with Frisco Transportation and was a long time farmer in the West Plains area. He enjoyed hunting and gardening. Mr. Martin was a member of the First Baptist Church of West Plains.

He is survived by two children, Leroy Martin, wife, Lynda, and Jackie Martin, all of West Plains, Missouri; and ten grandchildren, Carrie Martin, Terri McClelland, Gerri Barnes, Rusty Martin, David Martin, Jeff Martin, Sandy Smith, Eric Martin, Brian Collier and Daniel Truman; twenty-one great-grandchildren; thirteen great-great-grandchildren and daughter-in-law, Shirley Martin.

His parents, wife, one son, Russell Martin and one infant son precede him in death.

Visitation will be from 6:00 until 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, June 14th, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Burial will be in the State Line Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association and left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

A short service for Leslie Eugene Collins, 83, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, June 17, 2016 at the Howell Memorial Park Cemetery, West Plains, Missouri.

Mr. Collins died 6:20 a.m., Sunday, June 12, 2016 at his home. He was born March 25, 1933 in West Plains, Missouri to Lela Gladys Hicks Collins and Burley Collins. On November 13, 1953, he was united in marriage to Naomi Marie Smith, and to this union, two children were born.

Preceding Leslie in death were his parents, one grandson, Rickie Mayhugh, one brother and six sisters.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Naomi Collins; two children, Patsy Mayhugh and Johnny Collin, daughter-in-law, Lillian; two grandchildren, Dr. John Collins and Johanna Wear and her husband, Jonathan; four great grandchildren, John and Mahayla Collins and Isaac and Gabriel Wear; two brothers; one sister; and a host of nephews and nieces.

Leslie loved his family, baseball and fishing. He taught his children to love baseball and coached youth
baseball for many years, throughout the baseball careers of Patsy, Johnny and Rickie. Leslie was always ready to tell a good story about the things he loved most, family, baseball and fishing.

Funeral services for Wanda L. Roberson, 80, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, June 10, 2016 in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mrs. Roberson passed away at 6:20 p.m., Monday, June 6, 2016 at her home.

She was born July 22, 1935, at Moko, Arkansas, to Albert Michael Sanders and Chloa Bridges Sanders.  On January 23, 1953, she was married at Hardy, Arkansas, to Carl L. Roberson, who preceded her in death on April 4, 2016.  The couple had celebrated sixty-three years together.  To their union, three daughters were born:  Donna Jean, Lenora June and Patricia Ann.  Wanda was a devoted Christian and served at the Township Line Church and later attended United Freewill Baptist Church.  She loved to sing and play her auto harp.  Wanda loved her family to who she gave her all, her care, her love and her attention; she was so proud of all of her family and displayed family pictures on the walls and tables in her home for everyone to see.  She had a love of flowers and gardening and taught her daughters how to can.  Wanda also loved to go junking and antique collecting.

She is survived by three daughters, Donna Williams and husband, R. C., Little River, Texas, Lenora Martin and husband, Jerry, West Plains, Missouri and Patty Wood and husband, Kevin, West Plains, Missouri; three grandsons, Kenneth Martin and wife, Amber, Lance Williams and wife, Jordan and Benjamin Charles; two granddaughters, Amanda Hulsey and husband, Brian and Kristie Crow and husband, Cameron; seven great-grandchildren and one on the way; three step-grandchildren, Jennifer Coursey and husband, Justin, Brandi Bell and husband, Micco and Brennen Wood; five step-great-grandchildren; one brother, Eddie Sanders and wife, Donna, Springfield, Missouri; two sisters, Ruby Roberson, Raymore, Missouri and Vera Sanders, West Plains, Missouri; one sister-in-law, Faye Spoor, Kemp, Texas; one brother-in-law, Jerry Roberson and wife, Wanda, Eustace, Texas; and several nieces and nephews.

Her parents, husband, father-in-law and mother-in-law, Jesse and Aris Roberson, one half-sister, MaeBell Sanders, one brother, Leon Sanders; eight sisters-in-law, Nancy Roberson, Dorothy Roberson, Rosalie Roberson, Eunice Koelling, Bernice Fossett, Villie Barnes, Ella Roberson and Merle Driver, eleven brothers-in-law, Eldon Roberson, Earl Roberson, Burl Roberson, Wayne Roberson, John Alten Roberson, Mark Fossett, Art Koelling, Dwane Driver, Dick Sheffield, R. W. Pierce and Melvin Roberson, precede her in death.

Visitation will be from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Thursday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Oak Lawn Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

A celebration of life service for Johnnie Edward Brasier, 79, Pomona, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, June 18, 2016 at Pomona Christian Church.

Mr. Brasier departed this world at 1:29 a.m., Friday, May 27, 2016 at his home.

He was born August 27, 1936, at Evening Shade, Missouri, to Bill and Pansy Crews Brasier.  John was united in marriage to Judith Ann Caton on December 31, 1961.  They were blessed with three sons, Joey, Rick and Jeff.  John was employed at Howell-Oregon Electric Cooperative for thirty-three years in the service department and as a lineman.  He was always willing to help anyone.  John loved his wife and sons with all his heart.  Some of his greatest joys were traveling with his wife and teaching his sons hunting, fishing and auto mechanics; and watching them excel at basketball.  He was most proud of the caring husbands and fathers they became.  John grew up in Roby, Missouri and went to wheat harvest out west at the age of fifteen until his senior year when he graduated from Plato High School.  Following high school he served in the United States Marine Corps for four years and was honorably discharged in March of 1961.  He met his wife-to-be in Springfield through mutual friends, Bob Gastineau and Charlene Smith.  The two couples were joined in marriage in a double ring ceremony on December 31, 1961.  John became a Christian at age eleven and was baptized at Roby Christian Church.  The family attended Pomona Christian Church.

He will be missed by his family, numerous friends, extended family and countless others he touched through his work and life.

He is survived by his wife of fifty-four years, Judy; three sons, Joey and wife, Brenda, Rick and wife, Tracy and Jeff and wife, Dawn; four grandsons; two granddaughters; one great-grandson; one sister, Berna Dene Winfrey; and one brother, William “Bill” Brasier.

His parents precede him in death.

Interment will be in the Howell Memorial Park Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Pomona Christian Church Building Fund, 5040 CR 1390, Pomona, MO  65789 or may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.