Obituaries

Funeral services for Michael Fulton Acklin, 53, West Plains, Missouri will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, January 3, 2015, in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeal Home.

Mr. Acklin lost his courageous battle against renal cancer at 7:09 am Tuesday December 30, 2014 at Barnes Jewish Siteman Cancer Center, St. Louis, MO. He was born November 13^th, 1961, the son of Donald Acklin and Alice Brotherton Acklin. Mike was a wonderful, caring, sensitive man who loved, nurtured and supported his family and worked hard to make sure that they were well taken care of. He never gave up and fought his disease with every ounce of determination and will power that he had. He endured physical pain every day during his illness yet he continued to work and care for his family. He is loved so very much by his family and there will always be a void that can never be filled. Mike was employed by the City of West Plains and was supervisor of the Parks and Recreation Department. He took great pride in serving the community in his role. He had a profound passion for his job and found great satisfaction in his nearly 20 years of service to the city. As a teenager, he was employed by the Parks Department through summer work programs and was involved in some of the early park and ball field developments. In his spare time, Mike loved spending time outdoors, gardening, reading and spending time with his family.

In March 1987, Mike met and fell in love with his soul mate and best friend, Diana J. Acklin. In October 1990, they wed and to this union three beautiful daughters were born.

Mike leaves behind his wife, Diana Acklin, of the family home; three daughters, Emily Stirn, husband Mike, Layla Acklin, fiancé Kenny Collins and Shelby Acklin; his precious granddaughter, Rayne Zylie Collins; his father Don Acklin and special step-mother, Georgia; four brothers, Donnie Acklin, wife, Lynda, Terry Acklin, Larry Acklin, wife, Karen and Craig Acklin; two sisters, Pam Freeman, husband, Ted and Ann Acklin and significant other, Kerry Vehawn; two sisters-in-law, Joanna Brown and Linda Armstrong , husband, Nick; several nieces and nephews, including special nieces and nephews he loved as his own, Fraley Boss, husband Jay, Jordan Owens, Elijah Romans and Poppy and Daisy McKinney.

He is preceded in death by his mother, Alice Acklin, his mother-in-law and father- in- law, Loretta and Ross Carter and his grandparents.

The family will receive their friends from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Friday at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Mike will be laid to rest in the Dripping Springs Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to American Cancer Society or Riverways Hospice, and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Funeral services for Carol Sue Asberry, 69, West Plains, Missouri will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, January 3, 2015, at First Baptist Church, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mrs. Asberry died at 12:55 a.m., Wednesday, December 31, 2014, at Ozarks Medical Center.

She was born August 29, 1945, at Piedmont, Missouri, to Charles Allen Brewer and Erma Elizabeth Maybury. On June 25, 1966, she was married at St. Louis, Missouri, to Tony Asberry. Mrs. Asberry received her Associate’s degree from Three Rivers Community College and a Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Missouri State University, formerly known as Southwest Missouri State University. She was a teacher and before her retirement in 1999 had taught remedial reading and math at Dora , West Plains and Howell Valley schools. Mrs. Asberry was a member of the Missouri State Teacher’s Association and the Gideon’s Auxiliary. She was well loved by everyone. Mrs. Asberry was a member of First Baptist Church.

She is survived by her husband, Tony Asberry, of the family home; two children, Karen Riel, husband, Jason, Garden City, Missouri and Amy Conway, husband, Mark, Pleasant Hill, Missouri; six grandchildren, Zachary Riel, Jacob Riel, Tymon Conway, Andrew Conway, Joel Conway and Stephanie Conway; one sister, Georgia Brown, Las Vegas, Nevada; three nephews; and many cousins.

Her parents and one sister, Judy, precede 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 Howell Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Gideon Bible Society or First Baptist Church, and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Graveside services for Velma Katherine Walker, 78, Pottersville, Missouri will be held at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, January 4, 2015, at Union Grove Cemetery, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mrs. Walker died at 3:20 p.m., Tuesday, December 30, 2014, at Ozarks Medical Center.

She was born April 12, 1936, in Howell County, Missouri, to Justin Eli Perkins and Elma Narciss Bridges Perkins. She graduated from West Plains High School with the Class of 1954. On October 16, 1954, she was married at West Plains, Missouri, to Charles “Dewayne” Walker, who preceded her in death on January 10, 1989. In 1962Velma and Dewayne bought The Crider Store, which they owned and operated for several years. Then they operated a dairy farm together. Velma was one of the hardest working women God made. She spent countless hours working in her yard which was filled with many beautiful flowers. Velma’s favorite past time was fishing, especially if her grandchildren went with her. No matter how bad she felt, she never passed up a fishing trip. She truly had a heart of gold; her children and grandchildren were the light of her life. Mrs. Walker was a member of the Crider Church of Christ.

She is survived by four children, Danny Walker, Crider, Missouri, Bobbi Sue Fox, husband, Danny, West Plains, Missouri, Keith Walker, Crider, Missouri and Mark Walker, wife, Mickey, Crider, Missouri; eight grandchildren, Jaime Cockrum, Amy Walker, Ashley Franks, Danielle Fox Collins, Robert Walker, Bailey Dawn Walker, Riley Dewayne Walker and Ellie Jo Walker; eighteen great-grandchildren; four brothers; seven sisters; and many nieces and nephews.

Her parents, husband, one granddaughter, Danae Fox Woodard and one brother, Justin Eli Perkins, precede her in death

Mrs. Walker will lie in state from 5:00 until 9:00 p.m., Saturday at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Funeral services for Betty Jo Hall, 93, West Plains, Missouri will be held at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, January 4, 2015, in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mrs. Hall died at 8:40 a.m., Friday, January 2, 2015, at West Vue Nursing Center.

She was born July 19, 1921, at Brandsville, Missouri, to Thomas Martin Kinnaird, Sr. and Hazel Ordelia Betts Kinnaird. Mrs. Hall attended Mount Pleasant School, graduated from West Plains High School and attended college in Marionville, Missouri where she received her teaching certificate. In her early years she taught in a one room school, then worked as a secretary and retired from Cen-tel Telephone Company. Mrs. Hall was instrumental in founding the West Plains Farmers Market and The Community Garden. She enjoyed raising her own garden and was involved in Church, Community and School activities. Mrs. Hall attended Brandsville Church of Christ.

She is survived by two daughters, Hazel Acklin and Helen Barcus, husband, Michael, all of West Plains; four grandchildren, Attie Acklin, Austin Acklin, Hally Barcux and Mallory Barcus; one brother, Charles Eli Kinnaird, wife, Joy, Crestview, Florida; and several nieces and nephews.

Her parents, husband, one brother, Thomas Martin Kinnaird, Jr., two sisters, Mabel Lillian Kinnaird and Aileen Walotka, and one son-in-law, Danny Acklin, precede her in death.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 until 7:00 p.m., Saturday at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Howell Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Community Garden, and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Graveside services for Maksim Liubimov, infant son of Daniel and Nina Liubimov, Elk River, Minnesota, will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, January 5, 2015, in Babyland at Howell Memorial Park Cemetery, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Maksim went to be with the Angels January 2, 2015, at Ozarks Medical Center.

He is survived by his parents; one sister, Emily Liubimov, of the family home; and grandparents, Vasiliy and Tatyana Gerasimov and Iuri and Lidia Liubimov.

Graveside services for Catherine Cunningham, 81, West Plains, Missouri will be held at 1:00 p.m., Monday, January 5, 2015, at New Liberty Cemetery, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mrs. Cunningham died at 7:35 p.m., Wednesday, December 24, 2014, at her home.

She was born October 6, 1933, at West Plains, Missouri, to Reverend Claude Fowler and Vivian Marie Downen Fowler. She was married in 1950 at Mountain Home, Arkansas, to Ted Cunningham, who preceded her in death in 1991. Mrs. Cunningham was a homemaker and had worked at International Shoe Factory. She loved and enjoyed her family, music, singing, cooking and writing poems. Mrs. Cunningham was a member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church.

She is survived by four children, Michael Cunningham, wife, Mary, State of Washington, Sherry Detwiler, West Plains, Missouri, Steven Cunningham, wife, Rane, College Station, Texas and Renae Owens, husband, Rob, Oroville, California; eight grandchildren; Mark Cunningham, Mitchell Cunningham, wife, Charisse, Melissa Cunningham, all of State of Washington, Jason Cunningham, wife, Shannon, State of Texas, Jeremy Cunningham, State of Texas, Jimbo Detwiler, wife, Ashley, West Plains, Catherine Detwiler, West Plains and Ryley Owens, State of Washington; sixteen great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; one brother, James Fowler, Fort Worth, Texas; and two sisters, Alma Lea Fowler, West Plains, Missouri and Carrol Fowler, Highlandville, Missouri.

Her parents, husbands, one daughter, Rita Kay Cunningham and one sister, Mary Lue Oaks, precede her in death.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m., Sunday at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Funeral services for Margarett Ara Morgan, 90, Mountain Home, Arkansas will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, January 2, 2015, in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mrs. Morgan died at 12:22 p.m., Monday, December 29, 2014, at Hospice House of the Ozarks, Mountain Home, Arkansas.

She was born July 30, 1924, at Mammoth Spring, Arkansas, to John Henry Williams and Rosetta Earls Williams. Mrs. Morgan received her education in the schools at Mammoth Spring, Arkansas. On June 8, 1942, she was married at Alton, Missouri, to John Calhoun Morgan, who preceded her in death on September 2, 1995. The couple moved to their farm near West Plains in 1948. Mrs. Morgan worked at a grocery store and was a dental assistant for the same Dentist for seventeen years. She also worked at Ozarks Medical Center for ten years, and after retiring began volunteering making a total of twenty-five years of service. She enjoyed her volunteer job in the gift shop and loved helping people, crafts and painting. Mrs. Morgan had been a member of First Baptist Church since 1957. She served as secretary of her Sunday school class for over forty years. Mrs. Morgan thoroughly enjoyed and was always eager to go on church trips with the seniors.

She is survived by two children, Phyllis Parrett, husband, Bucky, Mountain Home, Arkansas, and Jeanne Starman, husband, Dave, Columbia, Missouri; seven grandchildren, Gay Lynne Parnell, Gregg Parrett, Steve Parker, wife, Lori, Rick Parker, Lea Anne McCormick, husband, Kent, Kyle White and Ryan White, wife, Catherine; nineteen great-grandchildren; fourteen great-great-grandchildren; one sister, Tressie Quimby; son-in-law, Roscoe Parker, West Plains, Missouri; and several nieces and nephews.

Her parents, husband, one daughter, Anne Parker, two brothers and two sisters, precede her in death.

Visitation will be held from 10:00 until 11:00 a.m., Friday at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Howell Valley Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice House of the Ozarks, Mountain Home, Arkansas or Ellis Fischel Cancer Treatment Center, and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Funeral services for Agnes Dreatha Keith, 96, Chattanooga, Tennessee, will be held at 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, December 31, 2014, in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mrs. Keith died Thursday, December 25, 2014, at Life Care Center, College Dale, Tennessee.

She was born July 12, 1918, at Hardwood, Oklahoma, to Henry Clay Hutchins and Annie Belle Coffee Hutchins. On March 6, 1939, she was married at West Plains, Missouri, to Clarence Newton Keith, who preceded her in death June 20, 2005. Mrs. Keith was a homemaker, farmer and had worked as a nurse’s aid at Ozarks Medical Center.

She is survived by two children, Beverly Ericson, husband, Steve, Chattanooga, Tennessee and Lynn Keith, wife, Brenda, Arlington, Texas; two grandchildren, Kara Smith, husband, Michael and Heather Ericson, all of Chattanooga, Tennessee; two great-grandchildren, Kajsa and Jansen Smith; and several nieces and nephews.

Her parents, husband and all of her siblings, precede her in death.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Tuesday at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Howell Valley Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to any charity of choice, and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Funeral services for Carol E. McConnell, 75, Bakersfield, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, December 31, 2014, at Bakersfield Full Gospel Church, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mrs. McConnell went to be with her Lord on December 23, 2014.

She was born October 30, 1939 at Belvidere, Illinois. She was raised, attended public schools and graduated high school in Belvidere, Illinois. Carol worked as an assembler and inspector at Automatic Electronics in Harvard, Illinois. She was married May 3, 1980, at Belvidere, Illinois, to John Ralph McConnell, who preceded her in death on June 25, 2014. She and John moved to Bakersfield, Missouri in 2000. She enjoyed collecting purses and baskets. Mrs. McConnell had been a member of Bakersfield Full Gospel Church since 2008.

She is survived by four sisters, Joan Monroe, Denver, Colorado, Shirley Trueblood, husband, Randy, Belvidere, Illinois, Norma Johnson, husband, Guy, Belvidere, Illinois and Mary Turner, Arlington, Texas; two brothers; Fred Shook, wife, Mary, Sun City, Arizona and Gordon “Gordy” Shook, wife, Yvonne, Ana Marie, Florida; and John’s children and grandchildren including one very special granddaughter, Sherri and her husband, Shawn Taylor, and their four children, all of Belvidere, Illinois.

Her parents, husband, three brothers, Ron, Dean and Virgil and two sisters, Marie and Jerene, precede her in death

Visitation will be from 9:00 until 10:00 a.m., Wednesday at Bakersfield Full Gospel Church. Mrs. McConnell will lie in state from 5:00 until 9:00 p.m., Tuesday at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. She will be laid to rest beside her beloved John at Baptist Hill Cemetery, Bakersfield, Missouri. Memorial contributions may be made to The Gideon Bible Society or Bakersfield Full Gospel Church and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

A Memorial Service for Barbara Sue Lamb, 75, West Plains, Missouri will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, January 2, 2015, at Bakersfield Full Gospel Church.

Mrs. Lamb died at 1:03 p.m., Tuesday, December 23, 2014, at Ozarks Medical Center.

She was born January 14, 1939, at Elijah, Missouri, to Lester Bowen and Patricia Wilson Bowen. On April 18, 1955, she was married at West Plains, Missouri, to Richard J. Lamb. Before her retirement, she was a cook and had worked at a children’s home. Barbara was an excellent cook and seamstress. She enjoyed the outdoors, gardening and fishing, especially times when she out fished her husband. She was a good mother and will be missed. Mrs. Lamb was a member of the Church of Christ.

She is survived by her husband, Richard Lamb; five children, Ronnie Lamb, David Lamb, Rhondia Woodall, Sonny Lamb and Tammy Robeen; six grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; one brother, Maury Bowen; three sisters, Ann Osborne, Sharon Teeters and Alice Neal; her half-sister, Phoebe; and half-brothers Loren and Rufus.

Her parents, one brother, Billy Bowen, one sister, Jackie Summers and one grandson, Luke Bohannon, precede her in death.

Funeral services for James Kelly Harrison, 79, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, December 30, 2014, in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mr. Harrison died at 11:29 p.m., Saturday, December 27, at Ozarks Medical Center.

He was born August 14, 1935, at West Plains, Missouri, to John Kelly Harrison and Bernice Workman Harrison.  On August 6, 1962, he was married at West Plains, to Charlene Sutton.  Mr. Harrison worked as a dental technician and was a veteran, having served with the United States Army National Guard.  He enjoyed hunting, fishing and gardening.  Mr. Harrison was one of the original bow hunters in the area.   He loved music and was the lead for Harrison Band.  Mr. Harrison was of the Baptist faith.

He is survived by his wife, Charlene Harrison, of the family home; two children, Kelly Burroughs, husband, Blaine, West Plains and Rex Harrison, wife, Stephanie, Pottersville, Missouri; and seven grandchildren, Tiffany, Kristin, Cameron, Sarah, Isaac, Madison and Megan.

His parents, step-father, Carl Ludwig and grandparents precede him in death.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 until 7:00 p.m., Monday at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  Burial will be in the Oak Lawn Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to American Diabetes Association, and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Graveside services for Norma Lee Sherrell, 79, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, December 30, 2014, at Howell Memorial Park Cemetery, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mrs. Sherrell died at 10:05 a.m., Thursday, December 25, 2014, at NHC Healthcare.

She was born October 5, 1935, at Peace Valley, Missouri, to Benjamin Calvin Kimbrough and Harriett McFarland Kimbrough. On January 5, 1957, she was married to Jerry Charles Sherrell, who preceded her in death on July 12, 2009. Mrs. Sherrell was a Nurse for Dr. Wiles for several years, was a bookkeeper for various offices and retired from Brotherton Propane. She enjoyed reading. Mrs. Sherrell was a member of Primitive Baptist Church.

She is survived by one daughter, Kelly Rowland, husband, Rick, Little Rock, Arkansas; one grandson, Benjamin John Bradley, wife, Annie, Little Rock, Arkansas; two sisters, Naomi Smith, husband, Howard, West Plains, Missouri and Connie Evans, South Fork, Missouri; one sister-in-law, Judy Sherrell, State of Florida; and several nieces and nephews.

Her parents, husband, two sisters, Oletta Mae Kimbrough and Mary Alice Kimbrough and one brother-in-law, Ronald Sherrell, precede her in death.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 until 7:00 p.m., Monday at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Howell Memorial Park Cemetery.

Funeral services for William McKinley Brenton, Jr., 82, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, December 30, 2014, in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mr. Brenton died at 12:30 a.m., Friday, December 26, 2014, at his home.

He was born November 14, 1932, at Mexico, Missouri, to William McKinley Brenton, Sr. and Ethel Ariene Arnett Brenton. On November 12, 1954, he was married at Montgomery, Alabama to Beverly Stryker. He and Beverly recently shared their sixtieth wedding anniversary. Mr. Brenton retired from the United States Air Force in 1976 as Senior Master Sergeant. He served during the Vietnam Conflict. Mr .Brenton was a 32^nd degree Mason and had received his fifty year pin; he was also a Shriner.  Mr. Brenton was a member of the Pomona Christian Church.

He is survived by his wife, Beverly Brenton, of the family home; four children, Kenneth Brenton, Rebecca Martin, husband, Duane, Melissa Norton, husband, Danny and Barbara Emmons, husband, Loran; four grandchildren, Ashley Garner, husband, Jon, Ryan Norton, Hannah Norton and Brenton Emmons; and three great-grandchildren, Olivia Garner and twins, Georgia and Samuel Garner.

His parents and step-father, William Kessinger, precede him in death.

The family would like to thank Mary, Sandra, Marietta and Kelly with Riverways Hospice for their compassion.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m., Monday at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Howell Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Riverways Hospice, and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Funeral services for Gene Harl Walker, 76, West Plains, Missouri will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, December 27, 2014, in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mr. Walker died at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, December 20, 2014, at his home.

He was born February 22, 1938, at Cureall, Missouri, to Willie Harrison Walker and Flossie Jewell Yocum Walker. On March 31, 1956, he was married at Pottersville, Missouri, to the love of his life, Betty Laverne Moss, who preceded him in death on May 30, 2014. He was a logger and a farmer and before his retirement worked for the City of West Plains. Mr. Walker loved to coon hunt, fish and deer hunt. He also enjoyed wagon rides and watching westerns. Mr. Walker was a member of Davis Creek Church, where he served as a Deacon.

He is survived by three children, Teresa Pruiett, West Plains, Missouri, Diane Wilbanks, husband, Jerry, Ava, Missouri and Karen Nye, husband, Lynn, Danville, Iowa; seven grandchildren, Gwendy Wadkins, husband, Tim, Jessica Bates, husband, Brian, Jason Pruiett, Mandy Sympson, husband, David, Missy Halbert, husband, Jeff, Jennifer Wilbanks and Krista Carter, husband, Weston; thirteen great-grandchildren; brother-in-law, Jolly Morgan, Kearney, Missouri; three sisters-in-law, Faye Judd, husband, Bill, West Plains, Missouri, Mary Walker and LaVerne Walker, both of Pottersville, Missouri; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

His parents, wife, one infant son, Tommy Wayne, two brothers, James and Garry Walker and one sister, Alene Morgan, precede him 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 Pottersville Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Pottersville Cemetery, and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Funeral services for Alvin Curtis Russell, 74, Pottersville, Missouri will be held at 2:00 p.m., Monday, December 29, 2014, in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mr. Russell died at 9:43 p.m., Sunday, December 21, 2014, at his home.

He was born November 28, 1940, at Manila, Arkansas, to James Leland “Lee” Russell and Ader Elzie Flora “Elzie” Ferguson Russell. On October 1, 1961, he was married at West Plains, to Alene Pauline Downen, who preceded him in death December 23, 2012. He was ordained at the age of thirty-three. The last church he served as Minister was First Pilgrims Rest Primitive Baptist Church.

He is survived by three children, Alvin Russell, Jr., Des Moines, Iowa, Kevin Russell, wife, LeEllen, Flagstaff, Arizona and Steven Russell, wife, Schanandoe, Pomona, Missouri; nine grandchildren, Jeremy, Steven, Patricia, Justin, Katie, Christina, Rebecca, Jacob and Sarah; five great-grandchildren, Zoie, Zander, Helo, Ashton, Melody and one on the way; five sisters, Betty, Flora, Ruby, Dorothy and Zettie “Tootsie”; and several nieces and nephews.

His parents, wife, one brother, William Floyd Floyd Russell and four sisters, Ruby, Violet, Sarah and Eveline, precede him in death.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 until 7:00 p.m., Sunday at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Burial will be in the New Liberty Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to First Pilgrims Rest Primitive Baptist Church, and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Funeral services for Mackie Jean Williams, 89, Caulfield, Missouri will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, December 24, 2014, at Fowler Cemetery, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mrs. Williams died at 5:00 a.m., Tuesday, December 23, 2014, at Ozarks Medical Center.

She was born July 10, 1925, in Ozark County, Missouri, to Zaddock Postle and Veretta Wheeler Postle.  On May 26, 1945, she was married at Salem, Arkansas, to James Oscar Williams, who preceded her in death on May 30, 1986.  She enjoyed gardening and taking care of others.  Mrs. Williams was a member of the Church of Christ.

She is survived by ten children, Jim Williams, wife, Linda, Pottersville, Missouri, Jerry Williams, wife, Sandra, Caulfield, Missouri, Jack Williams, wife, Connie, Caulfield, Missouri, Joy Brazeal, husband, Cecil, Brandsville, Missouri, Vic Williams, wife Kathy, Caulfield, Missouri, Gary Williams, wife, Cindy, Caulfield, Missouri, Larry Williams, wife, Kathy, Wheatland, Missouri, Betty Riley, husband, Scott, Caulfield, Missouri, Randy Williams, wife, Audrey, Buffalo, Missouri and Linda Hoover, husband, Rick, West Plains, Missouri; many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; and one sister, Dixie Tilman, St. Joseph, Missouri.

Her parents, husband, one son, Jared Williams and one daughter-in-law, Meril Williams, precede her in death.

Memorial contributions may be made to Fair Haven Children’s Home, and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Funeral services for Melvin George Pendergrass, Gepp, Arkansas, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, December 23, 2014, at Enterprise Baptist Church near Viola, Arkansas, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mr. Pendergrass, the son of the late Russell Pendergrass and Linda Cowgill  Pendergrass, was born March 15, 1966 in Beebe, Arkansas. He was called home to be with his Heavenly Father December 19, 2014 at the age of forty-eight years and nine months. Mr. Pendergrass graduated from the Viola High School, attended a body and paint school, served an enlistment in the military and then came home to farm and raise his son. Later, he became a truck driver and drove as a team with his dad until he came back home to farm and be with his family.

On August 3, 2014, he married the love of his life, Bridget Vaughn and became the proud papa to Lilly Vaughn who was truly a papa’s girl. He had one son, Codie Pendergrass and Andrea, who was his best friend and pride and joy.  He also had one granddaughter, Holli Pendergrass, who he loved dearly and a niece, who was like his daughter, Russella Johnson and husband, Jeremiah; step-children, Devin and Britney; step-grandchildren, Bryston and Caiden; sister, Cheryl Edwards, who even though he tormented her as a child, he loved her very much; and his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Bob and Helen Kincheloe and Edna Kincheloe and friend, Toby Taylor.

Melvin was always there for his family and friends and there was never a doubt about how much he loved them. He was a Christian and member of the Enterprise Baptist Church where he had served as a Sunday School Superintendent,  taught Sunday School and sang in the Choir. He never met a stranger and loved to laugh, have fun and spend time with his family and friends.

He left behind his wife, children, grandchild, special niece, sister and many aunts, uncles, cousins and family. He was greeted at Heaven’s gates by his parents, brother-in-law, Keith Edwards and grandparents, Roscoe and Lorene Pendergrass and George and Nellie Cowgill. He will truly be missed. Heaven’s gain is our loss.

Visitation will be from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Monday, December 22nd, at the Langston Street Chapel, Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Bakersfield Cemetery, Bakersfield, Missouri. Memorial contributions may be made to the Family and left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Funeral services for Eldon Ray Tyree, 85, West Plains, Missouri will be held at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, December 21, 2014, in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mr. Tyree died at 1:27 p.m., Thursday, December 18, 2014, at West Vue Nursing Center.

He was born January 18, 1929, at Elizabeth, Arkansas, to William and Zona Howland Tyree. On June 4, 1955, he was married at Mountain Home, Arkansas, to Frankie Marie Fore. Mr. Tyree was a veteran, having served in the United States Army in Okinawa during the Korean War. He was a dairy farmer and worked for Mid-America Breeders as an artificial inseminator for many years. After retirement, he and Frankie enjoyed traveling and had visited forty-eight states, several of the provinces of Canada, as well as some travel in Mexico. Gardening was also a favorite pastime and his yard and garden were always immaculate. Mr. Tyree was of the Baptist faith.

He is survived by his wife of fifty-nine years, Frankie Tyree, of the family home; two brothers, Wendell Tyree, wife, Zeralee, Columbia, Missouri and Eugene Tyree, wife, Pat, Elizabeth, Arkansas; brother-in-law, Billy Fore; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Floyd Bench, Jr. and Vadna Bench; and many nieces and nephews.

His parents, one sister, Euna Cotter, five brothers, Charles Lowell “Pete” Tyree, Elmo Tyree, O. G. Tyree, Harold Tyree and his infant twin brother, Eldridge Kay Tyree, brother-in-law, Ransy Cotter and five sisters-in-law, Oler, Dimple, Mamil and Joy Tyree and Donna Fore, precede him in death.

Visitation will be held from 1:00 until 2:00 p.m., Sunday at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Fore Cemetery, Bakersfield, Missouri. Memorial contributions may be made to the Fore Cemetery, or the Elizabeth Cemetery, Elizabeth, Arkansas and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Estelle “Corine” Garner Bennett was born in Castleberry, Alabama on November 26, 1926, to Pete and Susie Garner as the youngest of four children. Her brother, Cleveland and sisters, Lois and Mildred, have preceded her in death. In 1950 she was married to Allen Gibson Bennett, Jr., who also preceded her in death on November 24, 1980. She is survived by her two sons, Drew Allen Bennett and Webb Wayne Bennett, wife, Sissy and a granddaughter, Alexandra Bennett. Corine was a good wife and a loving mother. The family expresses appreciation to the Mountain View Healthcare staff and residents for their care and friendship during the last three years. Arrangements under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Graveside services for Lois Cropper, 90, West Plains, Missouri will be held at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, December 16, 2014, at Woodside Cemetery, Thomasville, Missouri, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mrs. Cropper died at 5:55 p.m., Saturday, December 13, 2014, at Ozarks Medical Center.

She was born June 2, 1924, at Alton, Missouri, to Everett Hardwick and Faye Hensley Hardwick. On July 15, 1946, she was married at St. Louis, Missouri, to Lloyd Martin Cropper, who preceded her in death on February 25, 1997. Mrs. Cropper was a member of the Church of Christ.

She is survived by one son, Joe Cropper, wife, Jan, West Plains, Missouri; two grandchildren, Justin Cropper, wife Jennifer, Corpus Christi, Texas and Jennifer Cropper, St. Louis, Missouri; and one brother, August Hardwick.

Her parents and husband precede her in death.

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