Obituaries

Funeral services for Jerry Michael Pendergrass, 70, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, October 28, 2021 at First Freewill Baptist Church, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mr. Pendergrass passed away at 2:00 p.m., Friday, October 22, 2021.  

He was born November 22, 1950, at West Plains, Missouri, to Claude Pendergrass and Madge Orwick Pendergrass.  Jerry graduated from high school in Tarkio, Missouri.  On May 28, 1971, he was married at Koshkonong, Missouri, to Laura Mertz.  Mr. Pendergrass was a veteran, having served with the United States Army.  He was a route driver for Guy’s, Frito Lay and Ideal Bread for a number of years and was a school bus driver. Mr. Pendergrass enjoyed racing, NASCAR, mowing and loved his grandson, Landry.  He was a member of First Freewill Baptist Church.

He is survived by his wife, Laura Pendergrass, of the family home; two daughters, Belinda  Pendergrass, West Plains and Melanie Wyatt and husband, Joel, Willow Springs, Missouri; one grandson, Landry Pitts; two brothers, Jim Pendergrass and wife, Marilyn, Independence, Missouri and Bob Pendergrass and wife, Fayetta, West Plains; one sister, Phylllis Schimming and husband, Jim, Maryville, Missouri; several nieces and nephews; family friend, Ernestine Cochran, West Plains; and his dog, Bree. 

His parents preceded him in death.  

Visitation will be held from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, in the Langston Street Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  Burial will be in the Howell Memorial Park Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to West Plains Regional Animal Shelter or Gideon Bible Society and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO  65775.

Graveside services for Helen Ruth Tucker Williams, 79, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, October 29, 2021 at Hutton Valley Cemetery under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  

Mrs. Williams passed away at 6:25 p.m., Saturday, October 23, 2021, at her home.  

She was born August 30, 1942 at Manor, Texas, the daughter of the late Thomas Tucker and Julia Hampton Tucker.  On October 28, 1960, she was married at West Plains, Missouri, to Herbert “Owen” Williams, who preceded her in death April 23, 2017.  Mrs. Williams retired from Marathon Electric after twenty years.  She enjoyed gardening, flowers, ceramics classes, and spending time with her family.  She became a Christian in 2016, and was baptized at Genesis Church in West Plains.  She was a loving, caring wife, mother, grandmother, and friend.  Mrs. Williams will be truly missed by all who knew her.

She is survived by three children, Kevin Williams, Kristi Bash and husband, Kaenan, and Karla Shelley and husband, Kelly; eight grandchildren, Travis, Rebecca, Hillary, Britney, Jessica, Jared, Kyle, and Kiersten; ten great-grandchildren, Allyson, Austin, Levi, Wesley, Olivia, Jayden, Tucker, Gunnar, Harlie, and Jaysten; and siblings, Alvin Tucker, Tom Tucker, Julie Burns, and Anthony Tucker.

Her parents, husband, one daughter, Sandra Kathleen, one grandson, Jeremy Keith, two brothers, and one sister preceded her in death.  

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

Graveside services for Troy Lee Johnston, 53, Willow Springs, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, October 29, 2021 at Homeland Cemetery, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  

Mr. Johnston passed away at 5:30 a.m., Friday, October 22, 2021, at Willow Care Nursing Center.    

He was born September 22, 1968 at West Plains, Missouri, the son of William Russell (Bill) Johnston and Joan Christine Peterson Johnston.  He loved everything about truck driving, and loved going out on the road with his dad.  Mr. Johnston loved country music.  He enjoyed the outdoors and would walk all the time.

He is survived by one brother, William Johnston, Jr., Willow Springs, Missouri; two sisters, Teresa Stiebs, West Plains, Missouri, and Ilene Chenoweth and husband, Wayne, Willow Springs, Missouri; and several nieces and nephews.

His parents and one nephew, William Johnston III, preceded him in death.  

Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Thursday, in the Rose Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Graveside services for Justin Levi Brown, 29, Springfield, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, October 30, 2021 at Elijah Cemetery, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  

Mr. Brown passed away at 5:30 a.m., Sunday, October 24, 2021, at Springfield, Missouri.  

He was born November 19, 1991 at West Plains, Missouri, the son of Joshua Allan Brown and Shan Richardson.  He enjoyed going to the river and spending time with his sisters.  When it came to his sisters, he was his mom’s right-hand man.

He is survived by his parents; three sisters, Brittany Major, Rogersville, Missouri, Makayla Hensley, West Plains, Missouri, and Laiken McKinney, Pomona, Missouri; one half-brother, Cody James Grogan, Oklahoma; grandparents, Ginger Moss, Pottersville, Missouri, and Jim Brown, West Plains, Missouri; and nephews, Jameson Major and Isaiah Velarde.  .

His grandparents, William and Debbie Richardson, preceded him in death.  

Funeral services for Jewell Joann Wiese, 83, Willow Springs, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, October 30, 2021 at Dry Creek General Baptist Church, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  

Mrs. Wiese passed away at 7:30 a.m., Thursday, October 21, 2021, at her home.

She was born October 4, 1938, at Twin Bridges, Missouri, to Harley Orvill White and Nola Velma Thornton White.  On February 21, 1957, she was married at Alton, Missouri, to Arnold Archibald Wiese, who preceded her in death on November 5, 2018.  Joann worked at Rawlings for twenty-one years, Regal-Beloit for twenty-six years and in between had worked as a cook at Ozarks Medical Center; she then stayed home to care for her mother, brother, Ken and his wife, Irene until their passing.  She wore many hats and was grandma to many.  She helped her mother in raising Richard and Rachell and also kept David Allen and Lowell Sherman; she was a caregiver to many family and friends.  Joann was a farmer’s wife; she helped her husband on the farm raising hogs and cows and could be seen on the tractor raking hay in the summer.  Her four children were her first priority and she told them many times a day that she loved them.  She was a beautiful wife, daughter, mother, sister, grandma, MeMaw and Nan Nan and will be missed by all that knew her.  Mrs. Wiese was a member of the Dry Creek General Baptist Church. 

She is survived by four children, Sheryl Ford, Anna (Mo) Luton and husband, Jerry, all of the family home; David Wiese and wife, Krista and Dane Wiese and wife, Emma, all of Willow Springs, Missouri; nine grandchildren, Rebekah Ford, Jay Ford and wife, Kyla, John Ford and wife, Julie, Jesse Ford and wife, Cassie, Timothy Ford and wife, Jody, Harley Wiese, William Wiese and wife, Florence, Coatney Wiese and wife, Brittany and Sarah Bullock and husband, Johnathan; twenty-four great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; one brother, Dale White and wife, Verna, Twin Bridges, Missouri; one brother-in-law, Donald Sneed, Rolla, Missouri; and several nieces and nephews.

Her parents, husband of sixty-one years, one grandson, Brian Matthew Wiese, son-in-law, Robert E. Ford, one brother and sister-in-law, Kenith and Irene White and one sister, Elaine White, preceded her in death.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Thursday, October 28, 2021, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  Burial will be in the Dry Creek Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to Dry Creek Cemetery and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO  65775.

A visitation service for Daniel Mark Collier, 60, Neosho, Missouri, will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Friday, November 5, 2021 in the Rose Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  

Mr. Collier passed away Monday, September 20, 2021, at his home.  

He was born April 21, 1961 at Kansas City, Missouri, the son of Alan B. Collier, Sr. and Lena Dobbs Collier Valle.  Mr. Collier was a veteran, having served with the United States Army.  He was the parts manager at Medley Equipment Company, Joplin, Missouri.  Daniel was a very loving and generous son, brother, and uncle.

He is survived by his mother, Lena Valle, West Plains, Missouri; one brother, Alan B. Collier, Jr., Manhattan, Kansas; two sisters, Pamela Parrish and husband, Kenneth, West Plains, Missouri, and Penelope Roundtree and husband, Michael, Mt. View, Missouri; and several nieces and nephews.

His father, step-father, Ron Valle, brother, Michael David Collier, and his grandparents, Anderson and Edna Dobbs, and B.F. and Vergie Collier, preceded him in death.  

Funeral services for James Albert Wilkerson, 83, West Plains, Missouri, formerly of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Monday, October 25, 2021 at First Baptist Church, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  

Mr. Wilkerson passed away at 3:15 p.m., Tuesday, October 19, 2021, at his home.  

He was born August 14, 1938 at Fisk, Missouri, the son of Benjamin Wilkerson and Della Haslip Wilkerson.  He was a star basketball player and graduated from Fisk-Rombauer High School in 1957.  He served our country in the Navy as a structural mechanic on the aircraft carrier USS Lexington from 1959 to 1963.  During his life, you might have found him fishing on the lake, sitting in his deer stand, hitting the fairways, driving the tractor, or traveling the country in his RV.  However, if you asked him, he would say his greatest accomplishment was being a dedicated Christian and loving husband and father.  His humility, kindness, and gentle spirit served as a witness of his love for Jesus during his life and will continue through those touched by his presence for generations to come. 

He is survived by his wife of thirty-four years, Vicki; three sons, Rick (Shelli), Poplar Bluff, Missouri, Kevin (Kate), Rogers, Arkansas, and Drew (Kathlene), West Plains, Missouri; two sisters, Louetta Keena, Poplar Bluff, Missouri, and Jeanette Winder (Jim), Jackson, Missouri; one brother, Kenneth (Donna), Melbourne, Florida; and four grandchildren, Abbey Garrett (Drew), Whitney Minson (Tucker), Tyler Wilkerson, and Ryley Wilkerson. 

He is preceded in death by his parents and five siblings, Nellevee Chronister, Virgil Wilkerson, Mildred Coulson, Mary Ellen Davis, and David Wilkerson.  

Visitation will be held prior to the service, from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m., Monday, at First Baptist Church.  Memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church Missions and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO  65775.

Funeral services for Billy J. Thompson, 87, Dora, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, October 23, 2021 at Family Life Church, Dora, Missouri, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  

Mr. Thompson passed away at 10:45 a.m., Tuesday, October 19, 2021, at his home.  

He was born January 5, 1934, at the family farm north of Dora, Missouri, to Lee Thompson and Elma White Thompson.  Mr. Thompson was a veteran of the Korean War, having served with the United States Army.  On January 12, 1960, he was married at Ava, Missouri, to Bonnie Ruth Hightower.  They were married for forty-nine years.  She preceded him in death July 9, 2009.  They raised five children on their farm.  Mr. Thompson worked at Rawlings in Willow Springs, Missouri, and retired from there after twenty years.  He was a full-time farmer, raising cattle and hogs.  He had a green thumb for gardening, and a passion for beekeeping. 

He is survived by four children, Kathy Hutson, Jim Moritz, Sue Fry, and Joe Bill Thompson; twelve grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; one sister, Anna Faye Smith; and multiple nieces and nephews.

His parents, wife, one son, Jerry, one brother, three sisters, and other family members preceded him in death.  

Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Friday, in the Langston Street Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  Burial will be in the Pleasant Mound Cemetery with Military Honors.  Memorial contributions may be made to Pleasant Mound Cemetery and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO  65775.

Funeral services for Allie Mae Foster Brotherton, 89, Kansas City, Kansas, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, October 23, 2021 in the Rose Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  

Mrs. Brotherton passed away at 3:00 p.m., Sunday, October 17, 2021, at her home.  

She was born January 5, 1932, at Viola, Arkansas (Mt. Calm community), to Anthon Leroy Foster and Effie Jane McCandliss Foster.  She graduated from Viola High School in 1950.  On December 13, 1954, she was married at Tupelo, Mississippi, to George Coltharp Brotherton, who preceded her in death on October 22, 1980.  Mrs. Brotherton made her home in Kansas City, Missouri, until she made her move to Bolivar, Missouri in 1994.  She retired from the Polk County Library in 2011, after sixteen years.  In 2017, she moved to Kansas City, Kansas, to live with her daughter.

Allie is survived by two daughters, LaDonna Jane Wood and husband, Lawrence (Larry) Wayne, Kansas City, Kansas, and Shirley Ann Smith-Harrington, Willow Springs, Missouri; two sons, Philip Greg Taylor, Willow Springs, Missouri, and John Robert Mathieu and wife, Lola Mae, Willow Springs, Missouri; seven grandchildren, Wayne Terrial Wood, Kansas City, Kansas, LaDonna Collene Lacie Cool, Kansas City, Missouri, Suzanne Marie Pearson, Willow Springs, Missouri, Danielle Nicole Mathieu, Rogersville, Missouri, Anna Marie Harrington, Boise, Idaho, Tabitha Lynn Harrington, Lubbock, Texas, and Shaun Cameron Harrington, Willow Springs, Missouri; one brother, Guindal Rex and wife, Naomi Ruth, Warsaw, Missouri; twelve great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Anthon (May 28, 1968) and Effie (October 9, 1981), her husband, George (October 22, 1980), two brothers, Clifford Riley (November 22, 2001) and Loyal Charles (July 6, 2006), and four sisters, Lorene Hazel Talley (January 28, 2008), Wilma Lee McLain (July 3, 2009), Ella Faye Marino (October 30, 2016), and Burdetta June Smith (October 17, 2019).  

Visitation will be prior to the service, from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m., Saturday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  Burial will be in the Howell Memorial Park Cemetery, Pomona, Missouri.  Memorial contributions may be made to Interim Hospice (Overland Park, Kansas) and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO  65775.

Cary Prokopovich, 86, of Pottersville, Missouri, passed away in her home surrounded by loved ones on Monday, October 18, 2021.

Cary was born January 19, 1935 in Atlanta, Georgia, to Marian Newell and Hiram Raleigh Cannon, Jr., and also raised by Whitley Morris.  

She was a beloved wife to William J. Prokopovich for 57 years, whom she married in California.  Cary was the football sweetheart, played saxophone in the band, and graduated from Luling High School in 1953.   She was proud of her southern roots from the food to her conservative proper manners.  She was a loving mother and homemaker for her family as well as a skilled artisan at sewing, knitting, crocheting, and quilting.  She had a love for the Lord and for country music, with a special fondness for Willie Nelson.

She is survived by her six children, Leo Prokopovich and wife Lynn of Atkinson, New Hampshire, Nadia Watson and husband, David, of Pottersville, Missouri, Viktoria Griffin and husband, Brian, of Boxborough, Massachusetts, one son and two daughters from previous marriage, and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  

Her husband, one brother and two sons preceded her in death.

Family and friends will remember and celebrate her privately.

Funeral services for Bill Wilbanks, 67, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, October 20, 2021 at First Freewill Baptist Church, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  

Mr. Wilbanks passed away at 4:25 p.m., Friday, October 15, 2021, at Brooke Haven Healthcare.  

He was born November 8, 1953, at West Plains, Missouri, to William Grant Wilbanks, Sr. and Pauline Crain Wilbanks.  On May 14, 1972, he was married at New Hope Baptist Church in Peace Valley, Missouri, to Wanda Bunch.  Bill was a mechanic and was well known at Wilbanks Tire.  He was loved by everyone and never met a stranger. 

He is survived by his wife, Wanda Wilbanks, of the family home; three children, Chris Wilbanks and wife, Sarah, West Plains, Missouri, Melanie Carey and husband, Denver, Branson, Missouri, and Corey Wilbanks and wife, Sonia, Owasso, Oklahoma; eleven grandchildren, Decota, Bailey, Elly, Anna, Amy, Austin, Tyler, Cayden, Kaylee, Jaxon and Cruze; one brother, Donnie Wilbanks and wife, Karen, Mountain View, Missouri; four sisters, Connie Dobbs and husband, Richard, West Plains, Missouri, Jeannie  Hayes, Independence,  Missouri, Nancy Huddleston and husband, Lyndell, Rover, Missouri and Donna Shannon and husband, John, Peace Valley, Missouri; and many nieces and nephews .

His parents preceded him in death.  

Visitation will be held from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, at Langston Street Chapel.  Memorial contributions may be made to Children’s Miracle Network and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO  65775. 

Funeral services for Donna Jean Decker, 60, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, October 19, 2021 in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  

Ms. Decker passed away at 3:37 p.m., Monday, October 11, 2021, at Ozarks Medical Center.  

She was born December 22, 1960, at Chicago, Illinois, to Roy Thomas Decker and Barbara Jean Wilbanks Barton.  Donna worked as a caregiver at Newton’s Group Home. Donna grew up in Cicero, Illinois; she was an avid Chicago Bears fan and a diehard Chicago Cubs fan.

She is survived by one son, Benjamin Decker; of the family home; her mother, Barbara Barton, West Plains; several nieces and nephews; and a host of friends.

Her father, one brother, Bennie Decker and her step-father, Franklin Barton, preceded her in death.  

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

Graveside services for Linda Marie Moore, 79, Mountain Home, Arkansas, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, October 15, 2021, at Howell Memorial Park Cemetery, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  

Mrs. Moore passed away at 8:59 a.m., Monday, October 11, 2021, at Care Manor Nursing & Rehab, Mountain Home, Arkansas.  

She was born July 30, 1942, at Lake Charles, Louisiana, to Forest Richard and Gladys Birdie Dailey Richard.  On June 26, 1957, she was married to Raymond Moore, Sr., who preceded her in death.  Before her retirement, Mrs. Moore was a Sergeant for the Department of Corrections. 

She is survived by three children, Pat K. Sanders and husband, Trey, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Raymond Moore, Jr. and wife, Lisa, Calico Rock, Arkansas and Raymond Roberts, Monroe, Louisiana; twelve grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; one sister, Debra Miller and husband, Wilbert, Sulphur, Louisiana; and two sisters-in-law, Karen Richard,  Haynesville, Louisiana and Ruth Brewer, West Plains,  Missouri. 

Her parents, husband, one daughter, Ramona Aguilar and one brother, Forest Richard, Jr., preceded her in death.  

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

Jacky Lynn Pendergrass, 65, West Plains, Missouri, passed away at 12:25 a.m., Tuesday, October 12, 2021, at Ozarks Healthcare.  Arrangements are under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mary Kathleen Reynolds, 78, West Plains, Missouri, passed away at 3:17 p.m., Wednesday, October 6, 2021, at Ozarks Healthcare

She was born September 7, 1943, at Kansas City, Missouri, the daughter of James Ryan and Alma Pauline Ownsby Ryan.  On July 22, 1972, she was married at Dallas, Texas, to Marcus Reynolds.

She is survived by her husband, Marcus Reynolds; and one son, James Reynolds, Koshkonong, Missouri.

Her parents preceded her in death.  

Arrangements are under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Funeral services for Margurite Elva (Maggie) Horton, 71, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Monday, October 18, 2021 in the Langston Street Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  

Mrs. Horton passed away at 8:27 p.m., Sunday, October 10, 2021, at White River Medical Center, Batesville, Arkansas.  

She was born July 20, 1950, at St. Louis, Missouri, the daughter of Edward Roeder and Margurite Barbro Roeder.  On January 24, 2016, she was married at West Plains, Missouri, to Norman Horton.  Mrs. Horton was an associate at Wal-Mart in West Plains, Missouri.  She was a member of New Hope Baptist Church.

She is survived by her husband, Norman Horton; four children, Alychia Wilkins, Raquel Wilkins, Tonya Stone, and Freddy Wilkins; fourteen grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren.

Her parents and three brothers, Edward Roeder, Scott Roeder, and John Roeder, preceded her in death.  

Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Sunday, at the Langston Street Chapel.  Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO  65775. 

Funeral services for Marjorie A. Cross, 82, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, October 15, 2021 in the Rose Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  

Mrs. Cross passed away at 2:10 a.m., Saturday, October 9, 2021, at Ozarks Healtchare.  

She was born March 9, 1939 at San Bernardino, California, the daughter of Henry Essex and Cecilia Allen Essex.  She attended school at Bakersfield, Missouri.  On August 27, 1959, she was married at Wichita, Kansas, to Gary John Cross, who preceded her in death August 18, 2019.  Mrs. Cross worked at International Shoe Company for many years.  She enjoyed quilting, painting, and baking.  She was a peacemaker, and she enjoyed spending time with her family. Mrs. Cross was a member of the Church of Christ.

She is survived by two children, Tracy Asher and husband, Thomas, Pomona, Missouri, and Gary John Cross II and wife, Nancy, St. Louis, Missouri; six grandchildren, Joshua, Bryan, Jaclyn, Grant, Tommy, and Christine; fourteen great-grandchildren; one brother-in-law, Dave Cockrum; three sisters-in-law, Clela Borysiewicz, Patricia Adey, and Judy Cross; one cousin, Joyce (Babe) O’Dell; close friend, Bruce Collins; and several nieces and nephews.

Her parents, husband, two children, Carl Cross and Winter Riley, one sister, Mary Mohr, and two brothers, Patrick Essex and Jimmy Essex, preceded her in death.  

Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Thursday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  Memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer’s Association or Elijah Cemetery and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO  65775.

Elizabeth Ann (Betty) Scrima, 79, Oakland, Arkansas passed away at 8:33 a.m., Sunday, October 3 2021, at Cedarhurst of West Plains.  

She was born July 28, 1942, at Oak Lawn, Illinois, to Arthur Meyers and Catherine Walsh Meyers.  On May 22, 1971, she was married at Arlington Heights, Illinois, to Michael Scrima; the couple celebrated their 50^th wedding anniversary this year.  Betty worked as a Systems analyst for Standard Oil before deciding to make a career change.  In 1983, she and her husband, Mike, purchased the Oakland Lodge located in Oakland, Arkansas and relocated there in 1985.  Betty enjoyed walking on Ozark Isle with many of her animals while training for her marathon.  Some of the dogs had plenty of personality; Hoover, Ginger, Herby, Kala, Shep, Abbey, Sam, Rocky, Patches and of course their famous cat, Jitterbug, he loved all of the Scrima’s customers.  There were many cats that were so dear to her heart.  For several years Betty and her brother, Billy traveled to Chicago to run the Chicago marathon.  In 2007, she received an official certification that she had completed the marathon.  After moving to Oakland, Betty volunteered for the Baxter County Humane Society.  In addition, she served on the board as a member of the Mountain Home Chamber of Commerce and served as a board member of the Ozark Mountain Region Association.  Betty will be missed dearly by all who loved her.

She is survived by her husband, Michael Scrima, of the family home; one son, Nicholas Meyers and wife, Linda, Schaumburg, Illinois; one step-son, Michael Jr., Carpentersville, Illinois; one granddaughter, Justine Enderlin and husband, Cory; one brother, William Meyers, of the State of Texas;  one sister, Carol Scott and husband, Richard, Naperville, Illinois; and several nieces and nephews.

Her parents and one brother, Johnny Meyers, preceded her in death.   

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 6, 2021, at 11:00 a.m., at the Hill Top Baptist Church located on Oakland Road next to the Oakland Community Center.  A celebration of Betty’s life will follow.  Memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer’s Foundation or Three Rivers Hospice and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO  65775.

Funeral services for Jewell (Wayne) Prewett, 89, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, October 14, 2021, in the Rose Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mr. Prewett passed away at 2:18 a.m., October 9, 2021, at Cedarhurst in West Plains, Missouri.

He was born August 2, 1932, at Union, Arkansas, the son of Cleo Prewett and Lola Fountain Prewett. He graduated from Oxford High School, and on May 2, 1950, he was married at Oxford, Arkansas, to Billie Jeanne Sherrell.

Soon after they married, Wayne and Billie moved to Kansas City, Missouri, for Wayne to attend college. In 1954, Wayne graduated from the University of Missouri-Kansas City with a major in chemistry and a degree in pharmacy.   He was the past president of the Missouri Pharmaceutical Association.

One week later, while the couple was in West Plains visiting his sister, Wayne purchased Wilke Drug Store. Within a week, he and Billie moved to West Plains, and he began his career as a pharmacist. Soon the couple was blessed with three children, Janet Linn, Judy Lea, and Joe Lynn. Aside from owning and operating several pharmacies, Wayne was a businessman and invested in commercial and residential rental properties. Wayne also served in the National Guard. In addition to his National Guard service, Wayne was a Shriner.

In the early 1970’s, Wayne and business partner, Wilfred Rieck, purchased some acreage on Old Howell Valley Road. They developed part of the land as rental property, and the remainder was kept as a farm. A few years later, Wayne bought out Rieck’s part of the farm and continued raising cattle. When asked if he was a farmer, Wayne always replied, “No, we run cattle.”  The farm became a place of refuge at the end of a long day of work.  Wayne loved nothing more than to drive through his cattle or bushhog a field to shake off the stress of the day. He shared his love of “running cattle” with the family. Many memories were made cutting and baling hay, learning to drive a farm truck, helping feed cows, riding motorcycles, shooting off fireworks, and watching the birth of baby calves. The farm remains in the family with son, Joe, overseeing the daily operations. 

Although work was high on Wayne’s list of priorities, it did not rank higher than his family. His family knew he loved them because he never ended a conversation or phone call without saying “I love you.” This has been passed down to his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. As his daughter, Janet, said, “The best parts of dad live on in all of us.” Wayne was of the Baptist faith and a member of the First Baptist Church of West Plains. Wayne’s family spent his last remaining hours with him, with wife, Billie, and daughter, Judy, at his bedside when he went home to his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Wayne is survived by his wife, Billie, of seventy-one years; three children, daughter Janet Robinson and husband, Larry, daughter Judy Carr, and son Joe Prewett and wife, Stacy, all of West Plains, Missouri; six grandchildren, Mallory Snodgras (David), Charlie Robinson (fiancé Brittney Rinehart), Sam Robinson (Paige), Amber Carr, Alex Prewett (Kate), and Max Robinson (Katherine); seven great-grandchildren, Isabelle Snodgras, Brady Gaines, Emma Gaines, Nora Robinson, Hollis Snodgras, Myles Prewett, and Poppy Robinson; one brother-in-law, Joe Spears; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

His parents, sister, Glyn Spears, and in-laws, Eldridge and Faye Sherrell, preceded him in death.

Visitation will be from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, October 13, 2021, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Burial will be at Oak Lawn Cemetery, West Plains, Missouri. Memorial contributions may be made to Three Rivers Hospice and left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main St., West Plains, MO 65775.