Rodney Lee Briscoe

Funeral services for Rodney Lee Briscoe, 61, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, January 10, 2026, in the Rose Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

Mr. Briscoe passed away January 3, 2026, at his home.

Rod was born August 24th, 1964, to Jerry and Billie Briscoe.  He graduated from West Plains High School with the Class of 1982.  In July of 1990, Rod married the love of his life, his wife Marilyn. He also became “Steppy” to a bouncing twelve-year-old girl, Kelli. Then, on June 15th, 1995, they added the life of the party to their little family, Ira Lee Briscoe.  For thirty-five years, Rod and Marilyn loved each other deeply. They hung on through the hard times and they made sure that laughter was a big part of life. Marilyn was an excellent caregiver through Rod’s illness and all he had to do was say “Sweetie…” and she was right there. A love like theirs is a beautiful example to us all. Rod was a teacher of all things in life. Wise beyond his years, in his gentle way, he could explain almost anything. He also had a kind way of understanding when you needed to talk about something. Quick wit and twinkling eyes that just made a person feel better.  Rod loved to hunt and fish. He and his “brother” John were always hunting something or going for a ride. Rod’s eyes would light up when he knew that John was coming over. Friendship like that is a gift. Rod also loved to hunt with Ira. He was so proud of Ira’s love for the outdoors. His favorite picture of Ira was when he got his first turkey. (Years before he made Kelli hold one by the feet while he did the rest. Probably laughing at her wrinkled nose because the turkey’s hind quarters were in her face.)  Rod loved to play the guitar and when Ira got a little older they would play together. Marilyn would sing. They should have taken that show on the road!  Rod was one of the most compassionate people you would ever meet. He was so generous and preferred others over himself. He also generously shared working in his giant garden with Marilyn and Kelli. He made them dig potatoes and, when spiders came up out of the ground, they screamed and ran out of the garden. He was always the teacher. That garden was phenomenal, though, even though his helpers were scaredy cats.  Rod loved his family so much, each and every one. Then those little grandkids started coming along and Papaw Rod was everyone’s favorite. So much fun and full of smiles and laughter. His gentle way made them feel special. He was so proud of Madyson teaching, Taylor being a nurse, and of course Luke being his own personal barber. Rodney Wade, his little namesake, came along a few years later and we all enjoy him so much, and he is so much like his Papaw Rod. The two Rodneys had a very special connection.  Rod was a believer and even though we are so sad to let him go, we know where he is, and that he is free. That is a comfort to his family.  “It’s just for a little while.” -Rodney Briscoe

Rodney is survived by “Sweetie” Marilyn, his wife, of the family home; his niece, Zoe Lindberg, also of the family home; his daughter, Kelli and son-in-law, Ricky; his grandkids, Madyson and John Ryan, Taylor, Luke and Audra, and Rodney Wade; his sisters Vickie and Jo, and their children; his wife’s siblings, Marsha, Jay, and Vicky, and their children; his father-in-law, J.D. Hobbs; and his special “nurse”, his sister-in-law, Threasa Shepherd. He is also survived by lots of nieces and nephews and cousins, who he loved so much. We also can’t leave out Tucker…his big ol’ Standard Poodle. Tucker provided lots of therapy and entertainment for Rod.

Rodney is preceded in death by his grandparents, his parents, his son, Ira, mother-in-law, Iva Hobbs, two brothers-in-law, Abigia Hobbs and Gene Shepherd, and several aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

Visitation will be held prior to the service, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., Saturday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  Burial will be at New Liberty 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.