Obituaries

William “Bill” Daniel Andrews passed from this life and went to be with his Lord on January 1, 2023.

He was born January 20, 1940, at Thomasville, Missouri, to Edward and Louise Fisher Andrews.  He grew up in that area on the family farm with his two brothers and spent lots of time with grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins.  He loved to tell stories about their escapades.  On May 31, 1963, Bill married the love of his life, Vera Brown Andrews, and from this union were born Carmen, Danny, and Kindra (who passed away at birth).  Their family grew to include a son-in-law, daughter-in-law, grandchildren, and a great-grandson.  They were his pride and joy and he loved them dearly.  In 1973, they moved to Willow Springs when they bought their own farm.  He took tremendous pride in his farm and loved caring for his cows.  Bill worked for Pepsi-Cola and retired after thirty-plus years.  He made many friends over those years.  Bill was saved a young adult and loved and served the Lord for the rest of his life.  He and Vera attended church at Dry Creek Baptist Church and, more recently, at First Free Will Baptist Church of West Plains.  He loved his church family greatly.  Bill was fun-loving and very ornery.  He loved to laugh and tell stories.  He also had a big heart and was thoughtful and generous.  He will be forever missed. 

He is survived by his wife of fifty-nine years, Vera Brown Andrews; his daughter, Carmen Schildknecht and husband, Kyle; his son, Danny Andrews and wife, Lisa; his grandchildren, Jamey Andrews and wife, Jessica, Sydney Schildknecht, Cory Andrews, and Lydia Schildknecht; his great-grandson, Eli Andrews; his brothers, James Andrews and wife, Sue, and Gordan Andrews and wife, Geneva; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Tommy and Norma Reed, and sister-in-law, Freda Grisham; and many nephews and nieces.

He is preceded in death by his daughter, Kindra Andrews, parents, Ed and Louise Andrews, father-in-law and mother-in-law, Floyd and Blanche Brown, sister, Dorothy Andrews, sister-in-law, Louise Andrews, and brother-in-law, Donnie Grisham.

Visitation will be from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Friday, January 6, 2023, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, January 7, 2023, at First Free Will Baptist Church, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  Burial will be at Dry Creek Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to his favorite charity, St. Jude 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 Nora Henrietta Wilson, 77, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, January 5, 2023, at Homeland Cemetery, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.    

Mrs. Wilson passed away at 10:30 p.m., Monday, January 2, 2023, at West Vue Nursing Center.  

She was born July 17, 1945, in Washington, Illinois, to Lesley H. Presley and Sadie M. Hull Presley.  On December 19, 1962, she was married at West Plains, to Leslie Wayne Wilson, who preceded her in death on April 14, 2014.  Nora was healthcare minded and a wonderful homemaker.  She loved Church and was a great witness for Christ.

She is survived by two daughters, Margie Rogers and husband, Ronald and Josie Hines and husband, James, all of West Plains; six grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; one brother, William Joseph (Joe Bill) Presley and wife, Ruth, State of Illinois; and several nieces and nephews. 

Her parents, husband, two brothers, Howard and Jack Presley and two sisters, June, Zuercher and Linda Holstine, preceded her in death.  

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

On Thursday, December 29, 2022, Deborah “Debbie” DeMeritt, loving mother of Jessica and Corinne, passed away at the age of 68.

Debbie was born on July 12, 1954 in Champaign, Illinois to Robert and Susan DeMeritt.  She had a passion for all animals. She enjoyed training horses and was a competitive barrel racer in her younger years. This passion led her to buy her dream farm in Missouri where she raised horses, goats and other animals. Her hobbies included bird watching on her farm and crocheting. She crocheted many beautiful blankets for her children, grandchildren, and extended family.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Susan, her father, Robert and step-parents Larry and Theresa Quick.

She leaves behind her two daughters, Jessica (Joshua) Lawrence and Corinne (Andrew) Pech; four grandchildren, Mark and Reid Lawrence and Dakota and Austin Pech; her step-mother, Marianne DeMeritt; four siblings, Robert “JR” DeMeritt, Diane (Len) Williams, Michael (Mary) DeMeritt and Frances (Jim) Kincaid; and many nieces and nephews.

Memorial services will be held in Illinois at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to West Plains Regional Animal Shelter and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO  65775.

Joanne Mayo Cullins 1935 – 2022.  On December 25, 2022, our beloved mother slipped the confines of her earthly vessel after a long battle.  All that knew her can attest to her joy of life, love of laughter, independence, southern sass and spunk.  She lived life with gusto with no apologies.  She will be missed. 

She is survived by four daughters, Debbie Ford Stubbs (James Jackson), West Plains, Joanne Marie Curenton (Perry), State of Virginia, Patricia A. Nitsch, West Plains and Brenda Jean Zeitlin (Gary), State of New Jersey; granddaughter raised by her, Jennifer Lynn Ferrell (Drew); one sister, Patricia French, Charleston, South Carolina; six granddaughters; five grandsons; numerous great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. 

Her parents, husband, Claude Cullins, two daughters, Linda Jean Dickie and Carla Jean Day and one sister, preceded her in death.  

Memorial contributions may be made to American Lung Association for further research of COPD and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO  65775.

Funeral services for Flora Mae Luna, 95, Dora, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, January 5, 2023, at Ball Church of Christ, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  

Mrs. Luna passed away at 4:25 p.m., Saturday, December 31, 2022, at Gainesville Health Care Center.

She was born April 28, 1927, at Spring Creek, Kansas, to Roy and Gladys Stone Thornton.  She graduated from Dora High School with the Class of 1947.  On November 27, 1948, she was married at Mountain Home, Arkansas, to Charles Clifton Luna, who preceded her in death on October 15, 2016.  Mrs. Luna was a stay-at-home mother and housewife.  She enjoyed spending time at home with her kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids, making sure there was always candy on the table, soda in the fridge, and a soap opera on the t.v.    

She is survived by five children, Bob Luna and wife, Pam, Terry Luna and wife, Amy, Mike Luna, Sharon Fox and husband, Kelvin, all of Dora, Missouri, and Kelly Luna and wife, Cherie, Zanoni, Missouri; seventeen grandchildren; thirty-eight great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, one son, Charles Luna, and two brothers, Clyde Thornton and Cecil Thornton.

Mrs. Luna will lie in state from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  Visitation will be prior to the service, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., Thursday, at Ball Church of Christ.  Burial will be at Ball Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to Ball Cemetry and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO  65775.

Funeral services for Nell Catherine (Curtis) Peters, 91, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, January 4, 2023, with visitation beginning at 1:00 p.m., at First United Methodist Church of West Plains, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Rick Rutledge, pastor of First Christian Church in West Plains, will officiate.    

Mrs. Peters passed away peacefully on Wednesday, December 28, 2022, at her residence, with her family by her side. Nell was currently living at Cedarhurst Assisted Living of West Plains.

Nell was born in Springfield, Missouri, on September 11, 1931, to parents C. Dan Curtis and Margaret Paynter Curtis. Camille, Nell’s only sibling, came along nine years later. She attended McDaniel Elementary School, Greenwood Lab School and graduated from Springfield Senior High School in 1949. She was a naturally social person and was involved in many clubs and activities, including cheerleading and dramatics. Nell then attended Drury College, studying toward a degree in elementary education. She was a member of Pi Beta Phi sorority while at Drury.  It was while at Drury that Nell met and fell in love with her future husband, James C. Peters, a star member of the college’s basketball team. The couple married on June 10, 1951. The birth of their children, Jim and Sherry, completed the family.  As Jim pursued a career in education and coaching, he and Nell lived in several towns, including Halfway, Missouri and Mountain Home, Arkansas before settling in West Plains, their permanent home.  Nell was the perfect coach’s wife, enthusiastically cheering from the sidelines and raising their two young children. Later, when Jim became a successful State Farm Insurance agent, she continued to support him in every way she could.  She was active in the community and made many lifelong friends who were very dear to her. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in West Plains, Chapter CM of the P.E.O. Sisterhood, and was always a strong supporter of her children’s schools. She was also an occasional substitute teacher in local elementary schools.  Nell had an outgoing, colorful personality and an infectious laugh. She was an avid bridge player and was a wonderful cook; her homemade chocolate pies always brought top dollar at charitable fundraisers. Nell enjoyed time spent at the family’s cabin on the Norfork River at Dawt. In her later years, she especially enjoyed watching professional tennis and other sports on television and reading good books. She was lovingly assisted by her friend, Joyce Coppock, who was her helpful companion for 12 years.

Nell and Jim enjoyed 57 years together before his passing in 2008. She was also preceded in death by her parents and a granddaughter, Brittany Hogue.

She is survived by her sister, Camille Ricketts and husband, Bill of Springfield; son, Jim Peters and wife, Beth, of West Plains; daughter, Sherry Underwood of Springfield.; three grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren whom she adored, Andrew Peters, wife Emily and daughters Ava Jane, Anna Beth and Mary Nell, of Cassville, Julie Peters Gower, husband Jeffrey and their children, Ella Grace and William Gower of Olathe, Kansas and Courtney Booher and husband Bryce, and Courtney’s children, Audrey and Hunter Jensen, all of Springfield.

Burial will be in Oak Lawn Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Jim and Nell Peters Endowed Scholarship with Missouri State University-West Plains and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO  65775.

Funeral services for Arther Lee Terry, 79, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, January 6, 2023, in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.    

Mr. Terry passed away at 8:55 p.m., Thursday, December 29, 2022, at his home.  

He was born September 17,1943, in New Madrid County, Missouri, to Dewey Terry and Violet Mae Burns Terry.  On October 15, 1960, he was married at Morley, Missouri, to Darla Jane Miles, who preceded him in death on September 14, 2022.  Arther enjoyed farming, gardening, woodworking and helping other people.

He is survived by five children, Michael Lee Terry, Brooksville, Florida, Deborah Jane Terry-Smith, Dora, Missouri, Elaine Terry Vaughan and husband, Don, West Plains, Pamela Kay Wheat, Dora, Missouri and Matthew Wayne Terry and wife, Brandi, Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina; seven grandchildren, Chris McKay Vaughan, Marcus Ryan English, Brittney Chantelle Terry, Lissa Corinne Siemers, Cameron Matthew Terry, Hannah Dawn Wainwright and  Hunter James Lee Wheat; six great-grandchildren, Whitney McKay Vaughan, Robert  Logan Siemers, Lorelai Destiny Vaughan, Lilith Rosella Mae English, Ethan Gray Billows and Serenity Rose Vaughan; and one brother, Kenneth Terry and wife, Josephine, Ocala, Florida. 

His parents, wife and one daughter, Jennifer Dawn Terry, preceded him in death.    

Visitation will be held from 1:00 until 2:00 p.m., Friday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  Burial will be in South Fork Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to South Fork Cemetery and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO  65775.

A celebration of Life service for Dorthy Irene Coble, 82, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, January 7, 2023 at First Baptist Church, West Plains, Missouri.    

Mrs. Coble went to be with her Lord at 8:50 a.m., Saturday, December 17, 2022, at her home.  

She was born July 26, 1940, at Thayer, Missouri, to Ernest Martin and Irene Lindsay Martin. On June 10, 1962, she was married at Thayer, Missouri, to Victor Coble.  Dorthy was a loved and respected teacher for many years.  She started her career in Springfield, Missouri in 1961 and taught in Montana, Washington, California and finished her teaching career at Richard’s school from 1991 through 2004.  From there, Vic and Dorthy took off in their camper and went to many places in the United States and Canada, also traveling on their motorcycle and pitching a tent along their way.  In their 60 year marriage, they traveled to all 50 states and Canada and Mexico.  Dorthy loved the outdoors, fishing, camping, canoeing, gardening and her flowerbeds.  She would always be the one to come away with a fish to eat for dinner at the campsite.  Dorthy loved teaching Sunday school, working in the church library and helping in the food bank at First Baptist Church.

She is survived by her loving husband of 60 years, Vic Coble, of the family home; one son, Doug Coble and wife, Susan, Cottonwood, California; one daughter, Cheryl Floyd and husband, J.R., Thayer, Missouri; four grandchildren, Garrett Coble, Redding, California, Rena Riemann and husband, Ben, Omaha, Nebraska, Jesse Morgan, West Plains, Missouri and Ben Dotson, Thayer, Missouri; and several nieces and nephews. 

Her parents, (her mother only surviving six days after her birth), one sister, Janice Holman and one great-nephew, Shane Cameron, preceded her in death.  

Burial was held at Thayer Cemetery, Thayer, Missouri.  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.

A memorial service for Amel Augustus Allen, Jr., 79, Pomona, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Monday, January 2, 2023 in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.    

Mr. Allen passed away at 9:23 a.m., Friday, December 23, 2022.  

He was born October 5, 1943, at Birch Tree, Missouri, to Amel Augustus Allen, Sr. and Ester Irene Griffin Allen.  He was united in marriage to Melva Pauline Austin, on December 16, 1971 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Junior graduated from Birch Tree High School in 1961. He ventured to Ontario, California where he worked for an appliance dealer as a delivery person.  Later they sent him to school to learn appliance repair.  Junior, Melva and their three children moved to Delta, Colorado where they eventually opened their own appliance sales/repair business, which they operated for approximately twenty-five years. Upon retirement, they moved back to Missouri, and settled in Pomona. It was not long until all the community realized he could repair anything from small appliances to large farm equipment.  In a very short time, everyone that had a problem was told to call or take their things to “Junior”.   Junior’s generosity, kindness and willingness to help people were truly a blessing to everyone that knew him. He wore many hats, and he was known to many friends as “Junior” and” Dad”, and “Grandpa ”  to his family.  It goes without saying, that there will be a void in the lives of everyone he ever came in contact with.

 He is survived by sons, Kris Allen and wife, Tracie, Pomona , Missouri and
 David Allen, Kansas City, Missouri; son-in-law, Meryl Gullings,
West Plains, Missouri; siblings, Pat Thompson, Clever, Missouri,
Iris and (Bill) Magers, Winthrop Harbor, Illinois, Leila Wilkerson
(Jim French) Billings, Missouri  and William Allen, Billings,
Missouri; nine grandchildren; sixteen great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and one very important, special friend, Jo Ann.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Melva and one daughter,
Bobbi Jo Gullings.

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.

A memorial service for William Michael (Fuzzy) Gamblin, 72, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, January 3, 2023, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. 

Mr. Gamblin passed away at 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, December 20, 2022, at his home.  

He was born October 28, 1950, at Memphis, Tennessee, to Albert Gamblin and Jetti Chappell Gamblin.  Fuzzy graduated from West Plains High School with the Class of 1970.  He was a veteran, having served with the United States Navy.  On July 9, 1975, he was married at West Plains, Missouri, to Anita Lung.  Mr. Gamblin was of the Catholic faith.

He is survived by his wife, Anita Gamblin, of the family home; two sons, Gage Michael Gamblin and wife, Daley, Austin, Arkansas and Cort William Gamblin, Springfield, Missouri; one grandchild, Goldie Lynn; one brother, Kenneth Gamblin; and several nieces and nephews. 

His parents and one brother and sister-in-law, Conrad Lee and Wilma Gamblin preceded him in death.  

A private burial will be in Oak Lawn Cemetery at a later date.  Memorial contributions may be made to American Heart Association and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO  65775.

Donald Duane Williams, 75, West Plains, Missouri, passed away at 9:03 p.m., Saturday, December 24, 2022, at his home.  

He was born April 1, 1947, at Fairberry, Illinois, to Glen and Gladys Williams.  Mr. Williams was a veteran, having served in the United States Army.  Before his retirement, he worked at Howard Johnson’s Hospitality.  He enjoyed fishing, camping, tinkering and working on cars.  Mr. Williams was of the Methodist faith.

He is survived by two children, Wendy Carrell and husband, Mack, West Plains and Duane Williams, Springfield, Illinois; four grandchildren, Daniel Caplinger and wife, Tabitha, Kayce Caplinger, Jonathan Williams and Kaytlynn Williams; three great-grandchildren, Aubrea, Alaina and Mathew. 

His parents, wife Pauletta and one sister, Sandy, preceded him in death.  

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

Graveside services for Gayla Rae Mitchell Langston, 69, Caulfield, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, December 30, 2022, at Fowler Cemetery, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  

Mrs. Langston passed away at 5:33 a.m., Thursday, December 22, 2022, at Autumn Oaks Caring Center in Mountain Grove, Missouri.

She was born February 11, 1953, at Dayton, Ohio, to James and Althea (Post) Faulkner.  Gayla had a passion for cooking and owned her own restaurant.  She was a member of the Church of Christ. 

She is survived by her husband, Dennis Langston, of the family home; two children, Jim Kidwell, Stafford, Virginia, and Christy Flores (Jeo), Nokesville, Virginia; several grandchildren; three brothers, Tom Faulkner (Brenda), Nixa, Missouri, Raymond Faulkner, Springfield, Missouri, and Bill Faulkner, Mountain Home, Arkansas; and several nieces and nephews.

Her parents, one sister, Velma Christianson, and one brother, James Faulkner, preceded her in death.

Linda Jo Rhoads, 70, West Plains, Missouri, formerly of Thayer, Missouri, passed away at 7:25 p.m., Tuesday, December 10, 2022, at Brooke Haven Healthcare.  

She was born June 5, 1952, at South Fork, Missouri, to Joseph Henry Rhoads and Luretta Cook Rhoads.  Linda made jewelry and quilts and enjoyed crafting and making dog clothes.

She is survived by three sisters, Mary Ellen Rhoads Stewart and husband, Richard, Doylestown, Ohio, Sarah Elizabeth Rhoads Schmidt, Dupo, Illinois and Martha Ann Rhoads Hadley, Pottersville, Missouri; two brothers, Samuel Luther Rhoads, Caulfield, Missouri and William David Rhoads, St. Louis, Missouri; and several nieces and nephews. 

Her parents, two brothers, Joseph Daniel and John Allen, three brothers-in-law, Nathan Jefferies, Walter Schmidt and Carl Hadley, and one sister-in-law, Judy Rhoads, preceded her in death.  

The family will hold a private graveside service.  Arrangements under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. 

Graveside services for Harry Leroy Appel, 90, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, December 29, 2022, at Gospel Hill Cemetery, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.    

Mr. Appel passed away at 9:25 p.m., Sunday, December 25, 2022, at West Vue Nursing Center.  

He was born March 1, 1932, in Ellis County, Oklahoma, to Emanuel Appel and Martha Renner Appel.  Harry attended school in Bishop and Shattuck, Oklahoma.  On December 23, 1950, he was married to Carole Litchfield in Higgins, Texas.  Harry joined the United States Navy as a young man.  He served on the USS Bon Homme Richard, USS Coral Sea, USS St. Paul and the USS Tortuga.  Ships on which he served were deployed to Korea twice during the Korean War and four times to Vietnam during the Vietnam War.  He also trained recruits at San Diego Naval Base and Great Lakes Naval Base in Illinois.  Mr. Appel retired after 20 years of service, having reached the rank of Lieutenant.  Harry was very proud of the years he spent in the Navy.  After retirement, Harry and Carole moved to a farm near Marshall, Arkansas.  Together they raised cattle for 40 years and planted huge gardens.  Harry also read electric meters and programmed voting machines for Searcy County.  In 2013, they moved to West Plains to be close to their daughter and family.  Harry enjoyed woodworking and created many pieces of furniture for family and friends.

He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Carole; daughter, Linda Hobbs and husband, Danny, West Plains; daughter-in-law, Laverne Appel Weems, Springdale, Arkansas; four grandchildren, Bethany (James) Kunz, Jason (Andrea) Appel, Brianne Hobbs and Travis (Ashley) Appel; nine great-grandchildren, Griffin, Garrett, Maya, Conner, Owen, Reece, Evan, Jacob and Avie; his siblings, Margaret Baker, Canyon, Texas, Ruth Sutherland, Choctaw, Oklahoma, Darlene (Ron) Stricker, Phoenix, Arizona and Larry (Judy) Appel, Dumas, Texas; and several nieces and nephews. 

His parents, one son, Tom Appel and one brother, Jim Appel, preceded him in death.  

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.

Funeral services for Florene Varue (Peachie) Roberson Moore, 91, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, December 31, 2022, in the Langston Street Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  

Mrs. Moore passed away at 7:45 a.m., Saturday, December 24, 2022, at her home.

She was born December 15, 1931, at Babylon, Long Island, New York, to Clifford Eugene and Ethel Robbinna (Crammond) Smith.  Peachie’s family moved to Corpus Christi, Texas, when she was a child, and then settled in Hocomo, Missouri, when she was twelve years old.  She attended elementary school at Egypt Grove and graduated from Bakersfield High School with the Class of 1950. Her first job was at Richard’s Brothers in West Plains.  She married her high school sweetheart, Dwayne Roberson, in 1951, and they moved to LaSalle Peru, Illinois, where they lived for sixteen years, before moving back to Hocomo in 1967.  Peachie cooked at South Fork Elementary school for many years, and was known and loved by the staff and students there.  She later cooked at Fairview Elementary, and finished her career at West Plains Elementary.  She made many life-long friends during those working years.  Peachie was loved by everyone that knew her.  She loved to sing and played the piano her entire life.  She had a beautiful alto voice, and knew every song in the Heavenly Highway’s Hymnal.  As a young adult, she and her husband, Dwayne, sang together in the Roberson Family Quartet. Peachie was a faithful supporter of Hammond Mill Bible Camp.  She was one of the first campers when the camp was founded in the early 1940s.  She worked tirelessly planning and cooking at the camp for over 40 years.  In her later years, Peachie stayed busy in her home, taking care of her husband, and she remains the Phase 10 Champion, even after being challenged many times by her grandchildren.  She loved working word puzzles, and never missed Wheel of Fortune.  She also loved to travel, and loved going to Branson to see the shows.  Peachie was a member of Faith Chapel Freewill Baptist church for over thirty years, and loved playing piano and singing with her church family.  At the time of her death, she was attending Calvary General Baptist Church with her husband Jay, as it was close to her home, and she loved the small congregation there.  Whether you called her Mom, Grandma Peachie, Aunt Peachie, or Sister Peachie, please know that she loved you all.  We will miss her, but we rejoice to know that she is singing with the angels now, and all her troubles on this earth are no more.

She is survived by four children, Randall Roberson, Danny Roberson (Rita), Kenny Roberson (Kim), and Kay Sharbono (LeRoy); nine grandchildren, Jason Roberson, Trevor Roberson, Jenna Cousins, Dana Gifford, Matthew Roberson, Grayson Strodtman, Levi Strodtman, Chelsea Ebner, and Garrett Strodtman; several great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews; one sister, Z. Kay Birckelbaw; and her husband, Jay Moore.

Her parents, husband, Dwayne Lee Roberson, one granddaughter, Serena Gail, and siblings, Duane, James, Darrell, Hardy, Alyne, and Zola, preceded her in death.

Visitation will be from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Friday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  Burial will be at Amy Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to Hammond Bible Camp and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO  65775.

Graveside services for Carol Joyce Barnett, 78, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, December 30, 2022, at State Line Cemetery, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  

Mrs. Barnett passed away at 7:15 a.m., Thursday, December 22, 2022, at her home.

She was born October 13, 1944, at Woodlake, California, to Myrtle and Anna Mae (Duvall) Milam.  On October 6, 1984, she was married at Crossville, Tennessee, to Ron Barnett.  Mrs. Barnett was a meat cutter and co-owner of Barnett’s Meat Processing and Market.  She enjoyed traveling, hunting, and fishing.  She was a member of the Assembly of God.

She is survived by her husband, Ron, of the family home; two children, Alison Shannon and husband, David, West Plains, Missouri, and Sherry Campbell, West Plains, Missouri; nine grandchildren; six great-grandchildren, and one on the way; and one niece, Dianne Shahan.

Her parents, one son, Bill Coates, one sister, and two nieces preceded her in death.

Visitation will be from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Thursday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. 

Funeral services for Loeta May Watson, 85, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, December 29, 2022, in the Rose Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  

Mrs. Watson passed away at 1:30 p.m., Wednesday, December 21, 2022, at her home.

She was born January 19, 1937, at Barnsdall, Oklahoma, to Walter L. and Thelma Bartley Mayfield.  Loeta graduated from West Plains High School with the Class of 1955, and later graduated from a Bible college in Nebraska.  On October 6, 1961, she was married at West Plains, Missouri, to Virgil (Ray) Watson, who preceded her in death on September 19, 1992.  Mrs. Watson worked at the West Plains Credit Bureau for ten years and at West Plains Bank and Trust for thirty-seven years.  She was a member of First Church of God in West Plains, Missouri.

She is survived by two children, Steven R. Watson and spouse, Ronda, and Janet Watson and spouse, Howard Stoddard; two grandchildren, Brandon Watson and spouse, Nicole, and Stephanie Watson; one brother, Norman Mayfield and spouse, Evelyn; two brothers-in-law, Leroy Trantham, and Gene Watson and wife, Della; two sisters-in-law, Oneta Stevens and Nadene Young; and several nieces and nephews

Her parents, husband, and younger sister, Geneva Trantham, preceded her in death.

Visitation will be held prior to the service, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., Thursday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  Burial will be at Howell Memorial Park Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO  65775.

Glenda Irene Fite, 82, West Plains, Missouri, formerly of Thayer, Missouri, passed away at 12:17 p.m., Wednesday, December 21, 2022, at Ozarks Medical Center. 

 She was born May 23, 1940, at Quincy, Illinois, to Ralph Kramberg and Bessie Roberta Winget Kramberg.  Glenda graduated from Central High School, Camp Point, Illinois, with the Class of 1958.  She was a veteran, having served with the United States Army.  On November 4, 1960, she was married at Fort Sam Houston Texas, to Victor Fite, Jr., who preceded her in death on December 5, 2000.  Mrs. Fite was a member of the Jehovah’s Witness and enjoyed doing church work.

 She is survived by two sons, Victor Fite III and wife, Diana, Mesa, Arizona and Walter Fite and wife, Rosemary, Batesville, Arkansas; one grandson, David Fite and wife, Amy; one great-granddaughter, Azura Fite; one brother, Richard Kramberg and wife, Marilyn, Clayton, Illinois; one sister, Sharon Earp, Dayton, Ohio; and several nieces and nephews. 

 Her parents and husband preceded her in death.  

 Arrangements under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Please join the family in celebrating the life of Alice Deyonne Sparks, 66, West Plains, Missouri, at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, December 28, 2022, at Pottersville Baptist Church, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.    

Deyonne passed away peacefully at 6:40 p.m., Monday, December 19, 2022, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St. Louis, Missouri due to complications from recent strokes.

She was born June 21, 1956, in Denver, Colorado, to Jim and Alice.  Deyonne loved giving gifts to people as she said that was her love language; she also enjoyed sewing, attending church services and watching her grandchildren.  She was a devout Christian who loved to share God’s words through her giving, generosity, volunteering and kindness.

She is survived by her one daughter, Amber Russell and  husband, Cory; one son, Daniel Sparks and wife, Sarah; her pride and joy, her grandkids, Koby Sparks, Katherine Sparks, Morgan Russell, Kooper Sparks, Caleb Russell and Kenley Russell; her mother, Alice Levesque and husband, Bob; her father, Jim Morgan and wife, Jan; two sisters, Glenda Shaw and husband, Jim and Kay Cowan and husband, Mark; several nieces, nephews and cousins; her living kidney donor; and a multitude of friends.  All of these people she loved and touched deeply.  

Visitation will be held prior to the service from 1:00 until 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, at Pottersville Baptist Church.  Burial will be in the Pine Hill Cemetery, Jonesboro, Arkansas at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, December 29, 2022.  Memorial contributions may be made to a charity that Deyonne was very passionate about, the National Kidney Foundation (www.kidney.org) and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO  65775.