Obituaries

Graveside services for Barbara Jean Gorden, 84, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, December 28, 2019 at Howell Memorial Park Cemetery, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mrs. Gorden passed away at 2:27 a.m., Tuesday, December 24, 2019 at Ozarks Medical Center.

She was born July 28, 1935, to Harrie Gray and Gracie Shaw.  On November 28, 1952, she was married at Jackson, California, to Alvin Gorden, who preceded her in death on November 19, 2015.  Before her retirement, Mrs. Gorden worked as a nurse assistant.  She loved her family and the Lord.  She enjoyed music, reading and her animals.  Mrs. Gorden was a Christian.

She is survived by one daughter, Teena Sage, Wichita, Kansas; three grandchildren, Trish Hardman, and husband, Heath, West Plains, Missouri, Terese Goza, Wichita, Kansas and Kristi Ray and husband, Tom, Fishers, Indiana; seven great-grandchildren, Josh Mead and significant other, Alison, Madison Mead, Dagen Kenslow, Kiana Gonzales, Kayli Gonzales, T. J. Ray and Kristian Ray; three great-great-grandchildren, Kooper, Aabriella and Madden; one sister, Gerry Hagerty, Sutter Creek, California; and many nieces and nephews.

Her parents, husband and three sisters, preceded her in death.

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

A memorial service for Shawna Jeanine Lunsford, 45, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, December 28, 2019 at Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mrs. Lunsford passed away at 9:32 p.m., Sunday, December 22, 2019 at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St. Louis, Missouri.

She was born September 27, 1974, at West Plains, Missouri, to Michael Gerald Cawvey and Renee Hoopes Cawvey.  Shawna graduated from West Plains High School with the class of 1992. She was the mother of four boys, Cole, Cameron, Clay, and Cutter. Shawna was married to Walter Wendell (Dell) Lunsford III on June 2, 2018 in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. Shawna’s first job was working for her father at the family business, Cawvey’s Electric Motor Service. In 2002, she left the family business and started her home interior store, House to Home which she operated for several years, meeting new customers and making many new friends. In November of 2010, Shawna left the headache and heartache of business ownership and joined her new work family at Community First Bank, West Plains. She enjoyed her work as a teller and moved through different positions until her final one as a data processer. She was loved by many through her interactions with the public. She was always quick with a smile and her friendly attitude made her dear to so many people. Shawna loved nothing more than taking care of her boys and she was so proud of them. She took great pride in their accomplishments, on their various sporting event arenas and in their personal lives. She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

She leaves to mourn her passing, her husband, Dell Lunsford; four sons, Cole Butler, Cameron Butler, Clay Butler and Cutter Lamar, all of West Plains; her mother, Renee Cawvey; one brother Scott Cawvey, and wife, Nita; one sister Michele Wood, and husband, Shane, all of West Plains; her step-son, Robert Lunsford, Springfield, Missouri; her father-in-law, Walter Lunsford, Ward, Arkansas; her mother-in-law, Lesa and husband, Robert McFadden, San Antonio, Texas; sisters-in-law, Miranda Harmon and husband, Scott, Bald Knob, Arkansas; and Rebekah Lunsford, Searcy, Arkansas; as well as many nephews, nieces, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

Her father, Mike Cawvey, one brother, Stacy Cawvey, maternal grandparents, H. Reneer and Gladys Hoopes and paternal grandparents, Gerald and Laura Jean Cawvey, precede her in death.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Friday, at the Langston Street Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  Burial will be at a late date at the State Line Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Family and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

A memorial service for John Eddie McKee, 48, Caulfield, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, December 29, 2019 in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mr. McKee passed away at 11:05 a.m., Wednesday, December 25, 2019 at Ozarks Medical Center.

He was born November 18, 1971, at Manila, Arkansas, to Eddie McKee and Emma Haynes Skiba.  On April 26, 1994, he was married at West Plains, Missouri, to Cathy Betterley.  John loved his family and grandchildren; he enjoyed hunting, collecting knives, fishing and the Dallas Cowboys.  He had worked for several years at West Plains Vault & Mfg. Co.  Mr. McKee was of the Baptist faith.

He is survived by his wife, Cathy McKee, of the family home; his mother, Emma Skiba; three children, Rashell Collins and husband, James Jr., West Plains, Mandilyn Collins and husband, Arin, West Plains and Chelsey McKee and fiancée Jacob Olson, Caulfield, Missouri; six grandchildren, Annabell, L. J., Amarisa, Izeaha, Ciella and Kayson Collins; four brothers, Roy McKee, Jerry McKee, Sammie McKee and Shane Lambert and wife, Drayanna; and one sister, Alice Turner.

His father and step-father, Samuel Lambert, preceded him in death.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Saturday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  Interment will be at a later date in the Howell Memorial Park Cemetery.   

A Celebration of Life Service for James Weldon Hargrove, Jr., 82, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, January 10, 2020 at the Endurance Church.

Mr. Hargrove passed away 12:15 p.m., Tuesday, December 17, 2019 at his home. 

He was born August 23, 1937 at Jasper, Texas to James Weldon Hargrove, Sr. and Blanche Hargrove.  James graduated from Jasper High School with the Class of 1955.  He played football for the Jasper Bulldogs and was known to be a great player, his classmates told stories of him being such a good player they expected him to play college football.  Mr. Hargrove held many jobs; he retired as an environmental claims adjuster.  He had worked all over the United States, from the Alaskan oil fields to Hurricane Hugo; he had worked for Dupont, Farmers, Crawford & Co., and Continental Insurance companies.  Mr. Hargrove had also owned his own gas station and had been a ranch foreman.  He loved to hunt, fish, farm and paint.  Mr. Hargrove loved his kids, grandkids, nieces and nephews and his fur babies.  He was a Christian and was a member of the Endurance Church.

He is survived by two children, Kristi Hargrove and fiancé, Timothy Mackenzie, West Plains, Missouri and Kim Delgado, Paulden, Arizona; one daughter-in-law, Linda Hargrove; his grandchildren, Zachery Gimpel, Aaron James Hargrove, Olivia Hargrove and Ava Hargrove and five others; six great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; and his dear friends, Reggie Warren and Ken McPeak.

His parents, one daughter, Karrie Hargrove, one son, Keith Hargrove and one sister, Linda Shepard, preceded him in death.

Harry Joseph Peterson of Corpus Christi, Texas, passed away at 9:14 p.m., Saturday, December 21, 2019 in West Plains, Missouri at 90 years old.

He was born in St. Louis, Missouri, and was the only child of Howard Peterson and Alice Newell. Mr. Peterson is respectfully remembered as Colonel Harry J. Peterson, a retired, decorated war veteran, having served in the United States Air Force as an accomplished fighter pilot for 27 years. He proudly flew and served his country during both the Korean and Vietnam wars. His love of flying began as a child, dictated his life’s career, and continued throughout his retirement. His passion for flying was matched only by his love of sailing. He was a talented and intelligent craftsman who built his own aircraft and several sailboats, including one large enough to sail the world. He also loved words, but the written ones spoke to him the most. He was an avid reader, especially the Bible. He was committed to providing for his family and having a strong relationship with God. He was married to one woman for life, Maurine Richardson, who passed before him on February 8, 2016. They married on January 25, 1953, and raised four children together: Dwight Peterson (deceased), Robert Peterson (deceased), Carole Peterson and Susan Peterson, who will dearly miss him. He taught by example — how to work hard, be committed to what you want, and keep your faith and convictions. He earned two master’s degrees from the University of Corpus Christi, now Texas A&M Corpus Christi — one in business and one in computer science. He stayed very active and enjoyed playing racquetball until his late eighties.

He is survived by his two daughters: Carole Moody and husband, John, of Gainesville, Missouri and Susan Gooris Masten of Bedford, Texas; two daughters-in-law: Nancy Peterson and Jo An Peterson; eleven grandchildren: Christopher Gooris, Micah Peterson, Kristi Peterson, Dylan Wilson, Sandra Bueno, Jover De Los Reyes, Justine De Los Reyes, Sarah Post, Kasey Covington, Josh Hoppes and Nathaniel Hoppes; and seven great-grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Sam Fontaine Rumbaoa, 82, West Plains, Missouri, passed away at 12:12 a.m., Monday, December 23, 2019 at Brooke Haven Healthcare. 

He was born March 21, 1937, in St. Louis, Missouri, to Frank Rumbaoa and Florence Campbell Rumbaoa.  On March 13, 1965, he was married in Benton, Arkansas, to Kathi Buchanan.   He loved his wife very much, they were best friends.  Mr. Rumbaoa was a veteran, having served in the United States Air Force.  Before his retirement, he was an OSHA Instructor for Anheuser-Busch.  He attended college at University of Missouri and played Mizzou football for three years; he was a member of Kappa Sigma.  Sam was a pitcher in the minor leagues with the St. Louis Cardinals.  He loved to play golf, travel with his wife, spend time with his grandchildren, his fur babies and drive his ’62 corvette.  He also loved cooking his secret recipe for chop suey for his family and friends.  Mr. Rumbaoa loved life to the fullest, he never met a stranger.  He was of the Lutheran faith.

He is survived by his wife, Kathi Rumbaoa, of the family home; two children, Vicki McCarthy and husband, Richard, Wildwood, Missouri and Melody Goodyear, Ballwin, Missouri; six grandchildren, Zoe and  Harper Lee McCarthy and Cal, Lane, Hope and Paige Goodyear; one sister, Mary Butts; one brother, Quinn Rumbaoa; three brothers-in-law, David Schuman and wife, Marsha, Bobby Taskey and Mark Buchanan and wife, Cindy; and many nieces and nephews.

His parents preceded him in death.

Memorial contributions may be made to Wounded Warrior Project and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. A memorial service will be held at a later date in St. Louis, under the direction of Kutis Funeral Home.  Local arrangements are under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. 

A memorial service for Roy E. Harmon, Jr., 88, Koshkonong, Missouri, will be held at a later date in New Jersey. 

Mr. Harmon passed away at 11:45 a.m., Friday, December 20, 2019 at his home.

He was born July 31, 1931, at Nutley, New Jersey, to Roy E. Harmon, Sr. and Isoline Byar Harmon.  On May 27, 1955, he was married at Patterson, New Jersey, to Jeanette Campbell Harmon.

He is survived by three children, Suzanne Gugliocciello and husband, Robert, Jean Lager and significant other, Steve Seley and Ross Harmon and wife, Carol; seven grandchildren, Kelly Sisco and husband, Reggie, Bob Gugliocciello and wife, Sarah, Jolene Mock and husband, Travis, Dan Gugliocciello and wife, Deseree, Cody Lager, Nick Gugliocciello and wife, Christine and Lindsey Harmon; nine great-grandchildren, Madison Sisco, Kennedy Sisco, Tristan Mock,  Lainee Gugliocciello, Mason Gugliocciello, Jack Gugliocciello, Mia Gugliocciello, Sadie Lager and Nora Gugliocciello; one sister, Katherine Chandler; and brother-in-law, Neil Campbell.

His parents, one son, Todd Harmon, four sisters, Dorothy McBrayer, Martha Noble, Louise Bradley and Florence Haefner and one brother, John Harmon, preceded him in death.

Memorial contributions may be made to The American Lung Association and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Graveside services for Ann Doris Singleton Calderon, 78, Branson, Missouri, formerly of West Plains, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Monday, December 23, 2019 at Howell Memorial Park Cemetery, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mrs. Calderon passed away Friday, December 20, 2019 at her home.

She was born May 18, 1941, at Chicago, Illinois, to Harry Brown and Margaret Elizabeth Ledbetter Brown.  Her daddy died when she was five years old; her mother re-married Dudley Medlock, who became her step-father and raised her as his own.  Ann was a Christian and belonged to 160 Church of Christ in West Plains, Missouri for forty years; she then attended the Church of Christ in Hollister, Missouri, until her death.  Ann was very thankful to her best friend, Jaki Langley and her Church of Christ family in Hollister for helping and caring about her so much during the last years of her life. 

She is survived by her husband, Antonio P. Calderon and dog, Tippy, of the family home; her former husband, Blaine Singleton and their son, Jason, daughter-in-law, Regina and three grandchildren, whom she adored, Paige, Brooklynn and Jaxon, all of West Plains; four sisters, Carolyn Beasley and husband, Dave, Jackson, Missouri, Jane Hirsch and husband, Charles, Cape Girardeau, Missouri, Janice Ketchum, Charleston, Missouri and Betty Fischer, Cape Girardeau, Missouri; two brothers, Buddy Medlock and wife, Donna, Zelma, Missouri and Mike Medlock and wife, Missy, Wyatt, Missouri;  and many nieces and nephews.

Her parents and two brothers-in-law, David Ketchum and John Fischer, preceded him in death.

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

A Celebration of Life Service for Randall Eugene Watkins, 46, West Plains, and formerly of Dora, Missouri, will be held 10:00 a.m., Saturday, December 21, 2019 in the Rose Chapel, Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mr. Watkins passed away peacefully at 11:10 a.m., Tuesday, December 17, 2019 at Ozarks Medical Center, after a long and valiant battle with ALS. 

He was born September 4, 1973 at Mountain Home, Arkansas to Randy Watkins and the late Margaret Ann Cotter Watkins.  In 2002 Randall met the love of his life, soulmate and wife, Christy of Mountain View.  Randall and Christy were blessed with three sons and one daughter.  They shared their love of life and battled ALS as if tomorrow would never come.  The love that they shared is what kept them going many years longer than any doctor expected.  Randall will be remembered most for his abundant positive attitude, bravery in his battle with ALS, his strong faith and love for his family above all.  Randall’s big hands matched his huge heart.

He is survived by his wife, Christy Watkins, of the family home; five children, Taylor Watkins, daughter, Kentley, West Plains, Justin Watkins, Dora, Missouri, Colden Watkins, West Plains, Tristan Wimberly, son, Chase Logan, West Plains and Elizabeth Driskell, West Plains; his father, Randy Watkins and special friend, Dawn, Dora, Missouri; one brother, Mark Watkins, wife, Amanda and their children, Dora, Missouri;  special aunt and uncle, Pete and Debbie Cotter, their children, Jacob and Josh; mother-in-law, Judy Smith Mendenhall, Birch Tree, Missouri; and best friends, Courtney and April Snider and children, Caiden and Kierstan.

His mother preceded him in death.

Visitation will be from 9:00 until service time at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  Memorial contributions may be made to the family and left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Funeral services for Roger Alvin Williams, 84, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, December 21, 2019 in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mr. Williams passed away at 10:31 p.m., Sunday, December 15, 2019 at Ozarks Medical Center.

He was born August 8, 1935, at Pottersville, Missouri, to David Noah Williams and Pearl Allie Briggs Williams.  Roger graduated from West Plains High School with the Class of 1954.  He was a veteran, having served with the United States Army.  On November 11, 1961, he was married at Mammoth Spring, Arkansas, to Louise Holloway.  Before his retirement, Roger was a teamster; he worked as a route salesman for Foremost, Holsom Bread, Butternut Bread and had also worked in the meat department at Richards Bros. and worked at West Plains Bank.  He enjoyed baseball, was an avid Cardinals fan and he loved playing the fiddle.  Mr. Williams was a member of Moody Church of Christ.

He is survived by his wife, Louise Williams, of the family home; three children, Jeff Williams and wife, Lynda, Marion, Arkansas, Kevin Williams and wife, Tiffany and Darian Williams, all of West Plains; six grandchildren, Kevin Williams, Jr., and wife, Kayley, Chris Williams and wife, Rachel, Scott Williams, Justin Williams, Braden Williams and Alyssa Williams; nine great-grandchildren; two brothers, John Williams, Benbrook, Texas and Clyde Williams, Winterville, North Carolina; and many nieces and nephews.

His parents, three brothers, Dillard, Joe and Paul and one sister, Pauline, preceded 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 Gospel Hill Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to Gospel Hill Cemetery and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

A memorial service for Eddie Kimes, 71, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, December 20, 2019, at First Baptist Church, West Plains, Missouri, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mr. Kimes passed away at 10:50 p.m., Thursday, December 5, 2019, at his home, with his wife, Brenda and two daughters, Durden and Audrey by his side.

Eddie was a Veteran having served in the United States Army. He graduated from Greenwood High School and graduated from Mississippi State University with a BS in Business and Management.  He had a reputation of driving too fast on his motorcycle and the ability to ride both up and down the stairwells on his motorcycle. Eddie began his 41 year career at Southwest Truck Body now known as DRS when he moved to West Plains in 1976. He was hired as a contract administrator and finished his career as Vice President of operations. If you didn’t know him and you ask him what he did for a living he would say he was a welder. He was responsible for the successful integration of the HEMAT and M1000 production lines. He truly loved his work and took great joy in solving problems. He was a mentor to many who knew him and loved to see others succeed. If this obituary could have been done in excel, he would have loved that. Eddie loved planning for a trip as much as taking them. His loves outside of work and his co- workers were his family, hunting, fishing, being on his tractor and his Garmin. Eddie was a conservationist at heart and invented many of his own contraptions. He was a vivid dreamer, counted steps in his head when he went up stairs and loved to tell stories with a “Big Eddie” in his hand. Eddie would rather have a stick in his eye than go to Silver Dollar City, get his teeth cleaned or listen to anything Bob Dylan.

He is survived by his wife, Brenda Kimes, of the family home; two daughters, Durden Keathley and husband, Chris, Parsons, Kansas and Audrey Garard and husband, Jonathan, Springfield, Missouri; two step-sons, Ian Tapson and wife, Jamie, Clermont, Florida and Roger Tapson and fiancé, Brandy, Laramie, Wyoming; six grandchildren, Samantha Barton and husband, Levi, Jake, Kirsten and Kamryn Keathley, Ethan and Dane Garard; four step-grandchildren, Aria, Camden, Malia and Zander Tapson; two sisters, Nancy McCurdy and husband, Robert, Cruger, Mississippi and Grace Bowden and husband, Steve, Fort Worth, Texas; several nieces and nephews; and many friends.

His parents preceded him in death.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Eddie Kimes Memorial Fund, and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

He will be missed by us all here on this earth, but our faith is strong and we have comfort in knowing we will see him again soon. Life is short here in this physical world and even though we have all suffered a great loss, we rejoice that he is now able breathe freely again.

Funeral services for Thelma Juanita Russell, 91, Koshkonong, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, December 18, 2019 in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mrs. Russell passed away at 6:30 a.m., Thursday, December 12, 2019 at her home.

She was born March 19, 1928, at Pomona, Missouri, to Franklin Francis and Berta Huddleston Francis.  On September 13, 1946, she was married at West Plains, Missouri, to William Wayne Russell, who preceded her in death on July 24, 1981.  Mrs. Russell was a homemaker; she loved her family dearly and always looked forward to babysitting her grandchildren.  She enjoyed collecting clocks and loved her animals.  Her favorite places were home and church.  Mrs. Russell attended Seventh Day Adventist Church at Mammoth Spring, Arkansas.

She is survived by eight children, William Wayne Russell, Jr. and wife, Hattie, Koshkonong, Norman “Buck” Russell and wife, Shirley, Birch Tree, Missouri, Leroy Russell and wife, Susan, Joe Russell and Chris Russell, all of Koshkonong, Loretta Faye Wheeler, Batesville, Arkansas, Berta Guy and husband, Ronnie, Tulsa, Oklahoma and Renee Turner and husband, Robert, Wilmer, Texas; one son-in-law, Myron L. King, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; twenty-six grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; several great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Her parents, husband, one daughter, LaWanda Glee King, two great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild, one son-in-law, Gerald Wheeler, three daughters-in-law, Donna Jean, Corrine Lynn and Dilla Russell, five brothers and five sisters, Freda Mae, Floyd Otto, Vida Charlene, Alice Modena, Jerome Rogene, Roy Carone, Effie Evelyn, Wanda Lee, Franklin Dale and Duane, preceded 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 Jolliff Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Family and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Funeral services for Jimmie Dale Ledbetter, 63, Pottersville, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, December 19, 2019 in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mr. Ledbetter passed away at 10:00 a.m., Friday, December 13, 2019 at his home.

He was born April 12, 1956, at West Plains, Missouri, to Luther James Ledbetter and Doris Mae Sumner Ledbetter.  On November 6, 1994, he was married at West Plains, Missouri, to Dorothy Underwood, who preceded him in death on July 25, 2003.  He worked as a Boilermaker and traveled throughout the United States.  Jimmie enjoyed races, NASCAR, taking his boat out and having a good time.

He is survived by one daughter, Amanda Frost and husband Mike, Maumelle, Arkansas and one grandson Blake Frost.

His parents, wife, Dorothy Ledbetter, three sisters, Gayla Auffert, Peggy Evans and Patsy Brower and one brother Donald Ray McGoldrick preceded him in death.

Visitation will be held from 9:00 until 10:00 a.m., Thursday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  Burial will be in the Oak Lawn Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Association and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Funeral services for Freda June Bridges, 81, Bakersfield, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, December 19, 2019, in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mrs. Bridges passed away at 10:30 a.m., Sunday, December 15, 2019, at NHC Healthcare.

She was born June 15, 1938, at Bakersfield, Missouri, to John Homer Davis and Sally Teverbaugh Davis.  On November 5, 1956, she was married at Salem, Arkansas, to EdV. Bridges, who preceded her in death on April 22, 2018.  Freda enjoyed reading, gardening and flowers.  She loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren; they were her life.  She enjoyed her time together with her family and loved going to watch her grandchildren play sports.  Mrs. Bridges was a member of Bakersfield Church of Christ.

She is survived by six children, Dale Bridges and wife, Lola, Bakersfield, Missouri, Russell Bridges, Fairdealing, Missouri, Steven Bridges, Bakersfield, Missouri, Brian Bridges and wife, Jennifer, Caulfield, Missouri, William Bridges, Bakersfield, Missouri and James Bridges and wife, Janeen, Fredericktown, Missouri; twelve grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; one brother, Jerry Davis and wife, Nancy, St. Louis,  Missouri; one sister, Martha Sims, Crider, Missouri; and many nieces and nephews.

Her parents, husband, one daughter-in-law, Mary Jane, four brothers, Mack, Burl, Jim and Darel and four sisters, Sue, Patsy, Helen and Mary, preceded her in death.

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

Funeral services for Joseph Wayne Smith, 88, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, December 17, 2019 in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mr. Smith passed away at 9:10 a.m., Thursday, December 12, 2019 at Ozarks Medical Center.

He was born March 19, 1931, at Pomona, Missouri, to Granville Wellington Smith and Viva Lee Burgess Smith.  On July 6, 1951, he was married at Salem, Arkansas, to Fern O’Neal Gannon, who preceded him in death on October 27, 2018, after sixty-seven years of marriage.  Mr. Smith was the eldest of five children born during the Great Depression on a small farm near West Plains. He learned about hard work and sacrifice from an early age. He graduated from WPHS in 1949 and served in the Army during the Korean War. He taught Auto Mechanics at WPHS and was co-owner of Ozarko Construction which built many buildings in the West Plains and south central Missouri area. He owned many rental properties personally and jointly with Cameron/Smith Rentals. He was a well-known cattleman owning as many as 400 head at a time during his prime. He spent many days in the hayfield and many winter mornings breaking ice and feeding hay. He was also a professional coffee drinker with a seat reserved at 14 Junction. Several winter mornings his truck would be left running in the parking lot while he drank his coffee because there was a newborn baby calf warming up in the floorboard. He loved to reminisce and tell stories about growing up in the country. He served on the board at Faith Assembly of God Church in West Plains when it was first getting started. He also served on the board at Howell-Oregon Electric which included time as President of the Board. He was a kind father and grandfather. He always had a smile and never complained even as his health deteriorated. He was saved and baptized at a young age and currently attended Calvary General Baptist.

The family would like to thank the caregivers for all of the kindness shown this past year: Vera Alsup, Elizabeth Bentz, Janella Schafer, Sharlene Lankford, Sharon Kapphahn, and Mirriam Stout.

He is survived by five children, Peggy Baty-Willis, Cherokee Village, Arkansas, Bobby Smith and wife, Dawn, West Plains, Phyllis Crider and husband, Dennis, West Plains, Keith Smith and wife, Kambra, St. Charles, Missouri and Christina Jean Kerley and husband, Stace, West Plains; nine grandchildren, Travis Baty and wife, Renee, Bradley Baty and wife, Kim, David Baty and wife, Joanna, Joey Smith and wife, Renae, Robby Smith and wife, Brandie, Morgan Goss and husband, Jacob, Angie Akers, Kortney Broeker and husband, Jarod and Lauren Kerley; ten great-grandchildren; three brothers, Donnie Smith, West Plains, Lamar James Smith, Tulsa, Oklahoma and Howard Smith and wife, Nancy, Palm Beach, Florida; one sister, Cora Jane Stevens, Bolivar, Missouri; and several nieces and nephews.

His parents, wife, one son-in-law, Frank Akers and one daughter-in-law, Tammy Smith, preceded him 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 Howell Memorial Park Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests Memorial Contributions may be made to The Gideon Bible Society and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

A memorial service for Scott Reed O’Neal, 67, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, December 14, 2019 in the Rose Chapel at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mr. O’Neal passed away at 8:25 p.m., Monday, December 9, 2019 at his home.

He was born November 6, 1952, at Kennett, Missouri, to Graham Justus O’Neal and Camilla “Connie” Guill O’Neal.  On June 19, 1981, he was married at West Plains, Missouri, to Kay Havens Smallwood.  In high school, Scott enjoyed being involved with speech and debate.  While attending college, he worked at KWTO Radio.  Mr. O’Neal began his career as a teacher in several schools, including Willow Springs in 1976 and at Richards in 1979; he then began as a principal in 1993 at Elsberry, Missouri, then Northwest R-1 School District in Cedar Hill, Missouri, from 1997 until his retirement in 2005.  Scott enjoyed electronic gadgets, computers and fishing.  He was a past board member of Ozark Independent Living.  Mr. O’Neal attended First United Methodist Church, West Plains, Missouri.

He is survived by his wife, Kay O’Neal, of the family home; one step-son, Scott Smallwood, West Plains, Missouri; four grandchildren, Shelby Holland, Ethan Hale, Emily  Morris and Kolton Smallwood; one great-grandchild, Caroline Rae Hale; his mother, Connie O’Neal; one sister, Kathleen Aid and husband, Toney, all of West Plains; one brother, Grant O’Neal and wife, Patty, Columbia, Missouri; his nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, Rachel Beaman and her husband, Daniel and their two children, Jacob and Ethan, Leslie O’Neal, Graham Aid, Stockholm, Sweden, Hilary Aid and spouse, Mason and their daughter, Ashby, all of Columbia, Missouri.

His father and one step-daughter, Athena Holland, preceded him in death.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Friday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  Memorial contributions may be made to Graham and Connie O’Neal Scholarship at Missouri State University, West Plains or West Plains Regional Animal Shelter and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Graveside services for Shirley Jane Martin, 81, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, December 13, 2019 at Mt. Zion Cemetery, Olden, Missouri, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mrs. Martin passed away at 6:00 a.m., Tuesday, December 10, 2019 at her home.

She was born February 20, 1938, at Arno, Virginia, to James Wiley Franks and Loretta Messer Franks.  On June 29, 1956, she was married in Boone County, Indiana, to George Okal “Oak” Martin, Jr., who preceded her in death on October 29, 20 15.  Before her retirement, Shirley was a caseworker with Division of Family Services and was a member of Daughters of the American Revolution and United Daughters of the Confederacy.  Mrs. Martin was a member of First Baptist Church.

She is survived by one daughter, Cherie DeShazo and husband, Guy; four grandchildren, Jacob Acklin, Ben DeShazo, Lucas DeShazo and Ashlea Acklin; two great-grandchildren, Quentin and Landen Rockwell; and one sister, Barbara Stevens and husband, Don, Booneville, Missouri.

Her parents, husband and one daughter, Lisa Martin, preceded her in death.

Mrs. Martin will lie in state from 5:00 until 9:00 p.m., Thursday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.   Memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church Food Bank and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Funeral services for Bonnie House, 64, Caulfield, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, December 11, 2019, at Elijah Church of Christ, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Ms. House passed away at 3:04 p.m., Friday, December 6, 2019, at Mercy Hospital, Springfield, Missouri. 

She was born August 12, 1955, at West Plains, Missouri, to Ray House and Edna Bowen House.  Bonnie attended elementary and high school at Bakersfield, Missouri, graduating with the Class of 1973; she furthered her education at Southwest Missouri State University, now known as Missouri State University.  Ms. House was a school teacher at Bakersfield, Missouri for thirty-three years.  She enjoyed crafts, making jewelry, reading and loved teaching.  Ms. House was a member of Elijah Church of Christ.

She is survived by one brother, Michael House, Caulfield, Missouri; one nephew, Jason House; two great-nieces, Jaidyn Mae House and Bailey Nelson Clark; many cousins; special friends, Jeanie Atkinson Petrus, Dianna Hawkins, Chelsea See, Trish Talley, Reda Odell, Jodi Burns, Kim Evans Hollis, Fane Young; and a host of other friends.

Her parents, one sister, Wanda House McCulloch and one sister-in-law, Linda House, preceded her in death.

Ms. House will lie in state from 5:00 until 9:00 p.m., Tuesday at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.   Burial will be at Elijah Cemetery.   Memorial Contributions may be made to Elijah Cemetery and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. 

Graveside services for Raymond Arthur Wood, 94, Willow Springs, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, December 6, 2019 at Mt. Zion Cemetery, near Olden, Missouri, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mr. Wood passed away at 1:17 p.m., Monday, December 2, 2019 at Willow Care Nursing Home.

He was born February 17, 1925, at Pomona, Missouri, to Elmer Wood and Olive Shadwell Wood.  On August 10, 1946, he was married at West Plains, Missouri, to Mildred Wanda Lee Burgess, who preceded him in death on April 8, 2019.  Mr. Wood was a veteran, having served with the United States Army.  Before his retirement, Mr. Wood was a dairy farmer; he loved to farm and cut hay.  He enjoyed his grandchildren and taking his kids hunting when they were young.  Mr. Wood loved his wife.

He is survived by five children, David Wood and wife, Truda, Pomona, Missouri, Randy Wood and wife, Bonnie, Lee Wood and wife, Kay, Jerry Wood and wife, Wilma and Larry Wood and wife, Sandra, all of Willow Springs; fifteen grandchildren; forty great-grandchildren; sixteen great-great-grandchildren; three brothers, Neil Wood and wife, Edith, Willow Springs; Jr. Wood, Washington, Illinois and Kenneth Wood and wife, Ruth, West Plains; and several nieces and nephews.

His parents, wife, twins, Karla and Kyle and four sisters, preceded him in death.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Thursday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.   Memorial contributions may be made to Mt. Zion Cemetery and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.