Obituaries

SIKESTON — Freddie Ray Organ, 54, formerly of Anniston, died June 24, 2019, at his home in rural Sikeston. Born Oct. 2, 1964, in Mississippi County, son of the late Fred and Glenda Brock Organ, he was employed by ADM and later for TNI Trucking. He had attended First Assembly of God Church...

SIKESTON — Billy Gene Jeffords, 79, died June 25, 2019, at his daughter’s home near Sikeston. Born Dec. 4, 1939, in Charleston, son of the late Raymond Jeffords and Hattie Genora Lee Jeffords, he had lived in the Charleston area most of his life later moving to Sikeston. He had been employed with Missouri Department of Transportation for over 31 years until his retirement and was a U.S. Navy Veteran. He was of Baptist belief...

CHARLESTON, Mo. — Alfred Martin 85, died June 16, 2019, at home in Charleston. Born Aug. 21, 1933, in Matthews, son of the late Ira Martin and Iree Hampton Martin, his family later moved to Chicago, where he grew up and graduated from Washburne Trade School. ...

SIKESTON — Fabian Johnson Spence, 40, died June 17, 2019, at SSM Health St. Clare Hospital in Fenton. Born Aug. 2, 1978, in Sikeston, daughter of Walter Charles and Lue Ann Johnson Spence Jr. of Sikeston, she was a 1997 graduate of Sikeston High School. ...

EAST PRAIRIE, Mo. — Alma Jane Manning, 72, died June 23, 2019, at her home in East Prairie. Born April 3, 1947, in Sikeston, she was the daughter of the late Amos and Voneline "Polly" Hughes Mouser. On April 9, 1966, she married Earnest Clinton Manning Jr, and he preceded her in death on Dec. 7, 2000...

CHAFFEE, Mo. — Vera Loretta Ditto, 75, died June 21, 2019, at St. Clare Hospital in Fenton. Born May 28, 1944, in Cape Girardeau, daughter of the late Pearl James and Virnia Holmes James, she was a former teacher with Chaffee Head Start in Chaffee. She was a member of Advance First Church in Advance, where she played the organ for many years...

PORTAGEVILLE, Mo. — Charles Henry Spencer, 70, died June 22, 2019, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Born March 7, 1949, in Portageville, son of the late Theolene Burgess Spencer and Emery Spencer, he had been a member of the Hayward Baptist Church since 1959...

SIKESTON — Dr. John H. Askew, 75, died Saturday, June 22, 2019, at his home in Sikeston, Missouri, surrounded by his family. A respected and loved physician, John practiced medicine in Southeast Missouri for 34 years. From his retirement in late 2005 through today, his colleagues, patients, and patients’ family members showered him with words of gratitude and letters thanking him for saving lives, for visiting their loved ones at home, and for his bedside manner defined by straight talk, long hours, sharp wit, and dry humor.. ...

LILBOURN, Mo. — Donald Ray Townley, 79, died June 21, 2019, at his home in Lilbourn. Born Nov. 18, 1939, in Alabama, son of the late Odell Ray and Rosie Blanche Davis Townley, he was a self-employed carpenter with his brother for many years before owning and operating Townley's Station and Car Wash...

SOUTHAVEN, Miss. — Dorothy Adams, 88, died June 21, 2019, at her home in Southaven. Born Aug. 10, 1930, in Portageville, Mo., daughter of the late Elizabeth Laster and Ralph Smith, she   On Feb. 2, 1949, she married Alfred E. Adams, who preceded her in death on Dec. 11, 1971...

PORTAGEVILLE, Mo. — Jimmie Nell Ward, 73, died June 20, 2019, at the New Madrid Living Center in New Madrid. Born Dec. 22, 1945, in Elbridge, Ala., daughter of the late Verna Sims Long and Bill Long, she was a member of the First Baptist Church in Portageville and the JOY Sunday school class. ...

SIKESTON — Joy Sue Whitten, age 76, passed away on June 21, 2019, at her home in Sikeston. Born Jan. 29, 1943, in Vanduser, she wasthe daughter of the late John and Olivia McDonald Engram Sr. On March 6, 1965 in Vanduser, she married John Whitten, who survives of the home...

MARSTON, Mo. — Cara Lee Miller, 62, died June 20, 2019, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Born Oct. 13, 1956, in Gideon, she was the daughter of Rachel Blanchard Sherrell of Gideon. Her husband, Paul Miller, survives of the home in Marston...

SIKESTON — James Clifford “Jim” Schaffer Jr., age 80, died on Thursday, June 20, 2019, at his home in Sikeston. He was born Sept. 1, 1938, in Lilbourn, Mo., son of James Clifford Sr. and Jewell Catherine (nee Daugherty) Schaffer.  He and Carolyn Sue Parker were married Aug. 21, 1959, in Sikeston...

EAST PRAIRIE, Mo. — Paul Elgin Haney, 80, died June 19, 2019, at the East Prairie Nursing Center. Born Jan. 3, 1939, in Scott County, son of the late Oliver Haney and Gladys Hockersmith Haney, he had lived in East Prairie most of his life where he farmed until his retirement. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in East Prairie and was a U.S. Army veteran. In 1966, he married Marylin K. Black, who preceded him in death on Jan. 25, 2016. Survivors include: three brothers, Dan Haney of Charleston, Ronnie Haney of Barlow, Ky., and David Haney of East Prairie; one sister, Mary Bell Clayton of Little Rock, Ark.; a special nephew, Terry Bruce McLain of East Prairie; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by four brothers, Herbert Haney, Ray Haney, Donnie Haney and Cecil Haney; and one sister, Doris Lynch. Services and burial will be private. McMikle Funeral Home of Charleston is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be shared at www.mcmiklefuneralhome.com.

CHARLESTON, Mo. — Mildred Pittman Smith, 94, formerly of Sikeston, died June 19, 2019, at the Charleston Manor. Born April 16, 1924, at Prescott, Ark., to the late George and Katie Pittman, she had lived in Charleston most of her life but had lived several years in Sikeston where she was employed with Lambert’s Café for over 25 years...

WICHITA, Kan. — Mildred V. Lasater, 90, formerly of Sikeston, Mo., died June 11, 2019, in Wichita. Born Dec. 18, 1928, near McMullin, Mo., daughter of the late Green and Ethel Vaughan, she was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the First Baptist Church of Sikeston. On Dec. 11, 1955, in Sikeston, she married Fred Lasater, who survives of the home.

MOREHOUSE, Mo. - William F. “JR” Day, 81, died June 18, 2019, at his home in Morehouse. Born April 23, 1938, in Holcomb, son of the late William and Bell Dickerson Day Sr. He attended the General Baptist Church at Morehouse and had worked for Brown Construction at Dexter before retiring...

SIKESTON — Carol Johnson, 68, died June 15, 2019, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. Born Dec. 28, 1950, in East Prairie, daughter of the late Thomas J. and Laura Bond Wilson, she was of the Baptist belief and had been a bookkeeper and tax preparer for Ed Patterson, Larry DeWitt and Karen Martin before retiring...

SIKESTON — Debra L. Patterson, 60, died at 3 a.m. June 14, 2019, at her home in Sikeston. Born Sept. 26, 1958, in Sikeston, daughter of Rebecca “Becky” Anderson of Tucson, Ariz., and the late Melvin Robey, she had worked as a cook at Cheers in Sikeston for 16 years. She was a member of the Second Half Ministry...

SIKESTON — June Freshour, age 85, passed away on June 15, 2019, at Miner Nursing Center in Miner. She was born June 9, 1934, in Matthews, Mo., to the late O.L. and Florence Caldwell Daugherty. She was a member of First United Methodist Church in Sikeston for over 70 years. She owned and operated Family Reality as well as co-owned Freshour Cycle until her retirement in 2007...

EAST PRAIRIE, Mo. — Cynthia Renee Givens, 60, died June 14, 2019, at her home.  Born June 26, 1958, in St. Louis, daughter of the late Winford Eli and Linda Faye Hunt Wages, she was employed by Best Western in Sikeston. On July 2, 2005, in East Prairie, she was married to Ronald Givens, who preceded her in death on May 23, 2012...

PORTAGEVILLE, Mo. — Rhonda Kay Birmingham, 33, died June 16, 2019, at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau. Born Sept. 2, 1985, in Columbia, daughter of Barbara Reid of Portageville and the late Danny Ray McGee Sr., she was a member of the Apostolic Truth Tabernacle Church...

SIKESTON — Daniel White, 68, died June 13, 2019, at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau. Born Sept. 15, 1950, in Bell City, he was the son of the late Flaudie and Lillian Spence White. Survivors include: one son, Danny White; two brothers, Bill White and Jim White; three sisters, Sheila Gee, Christine Smith and Jeannie White; and several grandchildren...

EAST PRAIRIE, Mo. — James E. “Jim” Cloud, 86, died June 13, 2019, at the Miner Nursing Center. Born Dec. 14, 1932, in Tiptonville, Tenn., son of the late James Claude Cloud and Hazel Odell Reynolds Cloud, he was of Church of Christ belief and had attended Diehlstadt High School. He served in the United States Army and was stationed in Germany from 1951-1953 and was a member of the Infantry Regiment. He was employed at Missouri Department of Transportation as a mechanic and maintenance worker and had been a private airplane pilot for over 40 years as well as a corporate pilot.

EAST PRAIRIE, Mo. — Tony Emmett Russell, 72, died June 13, 2019, at his home.  Born May 20, 1947, in East Prairie, son of the late Argus Ragan and Ardena Mae Noe Russell, he was retired from Worthington Ag Parts in Sikeston. He was a member of the National Guard...

SIKESTON — Barbara Ann Weathers, age 82, of Sikeston, beloved wife of Dr. Grant "Wendell" Weathers Sr., passed away June 12, 2019, surrounded by loving family. She was born May 22, 1937, in Portageville, the daughter of the late William and Rita Lusk...

BATESVILLE, Ark. — Norma L. Sitzes, 94, died June 11, 2019, at Woodlawn Heights Nursing Home in Batesville. Born Nov. 28, 1924, in Painton, daughter of the late Frank and Laura Poole Barker. On Dec. 23, 1944, in Piggott, Ark., she married Estel Glenn Sitzes, who preceded her in death on July 5, 2011...

SIKESTON — Nora Marie Cooper, 81, died June 8, 2019. Born Oct. 8, 1937, in Marston, daughter of the late Glen and Early Wilderness, she had lived in Lilbourn but moved to Sikeston in 2017. She was a member of Pilgrims Rest Missionary Baptist Church in Lilbourn for over 60 years. She worked for New Madrid County Technical/High School for almost 30 year and was a member of the Eastern Star for 37 years. ...

BENTON, Mo. — Kennley Elizabeth Mae Bramlett, 2, died June 8, 2019, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.  She was born May 4, 2017, in Sikeston, to Kenneth James and Amanda Kay Scherer Bramlett.  Survivors include: her mother, Amanda Bramlett of Benton; four brothers, Caleb Loy, Mason Loy, Bentley Medlock and Johnathon Bramlett of Benton; two sisters, Madison Loy and Chloe DeJournett of Benton; maternal grandparents, Randy and Judy Scherer; two uncles, Travis (Lana) Scherer and Mike (Karen) Scherer; and an aunt, Becky Roth.. ...

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. — Nelda Dalton Crader, 84, died June 11, 2019, in Cape Girardeau. Born on Jan. 18, 1935, daughter of the late Leonard and Nelle Rhodes Dalton, she was a graduate of Delta High School and attended the University of Missouri in Columbia. ...

DEXTER, Mo. — June Cullum, 75, died June 11, 2019, at Crowley Ridge Care Center in Dexter. Born Sept. 15, 1943, in Risco, daughter of the late John Thomas and Ora Bessie Walker Maloney, she was a member of the Apostolic Pentecostal Church in Dexter...

SIKESTON — Ritta “Sue” Newton, 67, died June 10, 2019, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Born March 16, 1952, in Matthews, she was the daughter of the late Clint and Clodean Bewley Hensley. On Dec. 9, 1993, in Benton, she married Benny Newton, who survives of the home...

ST. LOUIS, Mo. — Aaron Davis, 26, died May 30, 2019, in St. Louis Born Sept. 8, 1992, in St. Louis, son of Parnetha Buxton-Griffin and Steven Davis, he attended Roosevelt High School in St. Louis and worked in the culinary arts profession.  In addition to his parents, survivors include: two sons, Dominic and Doni Davis; two daughters, Aron and Arie Davis; one sister, Lena Davis; one brother, Dominique Davis; and grandmothers, Helen Buxton and Carlena Davis...

SIKESTON — James Richard (Dick) Twitty died on Saturday, June 1, 2019 at age 89. Dick was born in Kewanee on Dec. 13, 1929, to J.D. and Goldie Twitty. His brothers and sisters, all preceding him in death, were Lynn, Virginia, John, William Mack, Kenneth, Marietta and Jeanette...

FLINT, Mich. — Arren C. “A.C.” Hileman, 91, formerly of Morehouse, Mo., died June 6, 2019. Born March 13, 1928, in Morehouse, son of the late Robert Lee Hileman Sr. and Lela Cavins Hileman, he had worked for General Motor Co. for 38 years and was a veteran of the U.S. Army...

PORTAGEVILLE, Mo. — Lois Juanita Buys Henderson, 94, died June 8, 2019. Born Aug. 31, 1924, in Pemiscot County, daughter of Tom and Beatrice Tompkins Buys, she was the 1942 valedictorian graduate of Concord High School and lived most of her life in Pemiscot and New Madrid counties, including most of her adult life in Portageville. ...

NEW HAMBURG, Mo. — Dennis Gosche, 52, died June 6, 2019, in New Hamburg. Born June 12, 1966, in Cape Girardeau, son of Alice Horrell Gosche of Chaffee and the late Don Gosche, he was was a 1984 graduate of Thomas W. Kelly High School. He obtained a Bachelor of Science in agriculture from Southeast Missouri State University in 1988. He was a farmer and a member of St. Lawrence Catholic Church of New Hamburg...

ADVANCE, Mo. — Cecil Dean Veale, 89, died June 7, 2019 at his home.  Born Aug. 24, 1929, in Union Star, son of the late Franklin D. and Cecelia Maude Trimble Veale, he was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Gordonville. He served in the U.S. Army and the U.S. ...

SIKESTON — Daniel Eldon Patton, 75, died June 8, 2019, at the Missouri Delta Medical Center. Born Oct. 25, 1943, in Vernon, Texas, son of the late Eldon Louis and Willie Ruth Miller Patton, he served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War...

SIKESTON — Danny Lynn Isenhower, 68, flew to heaven on June 7, 2019, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Born May 5, 1951, in Caruthersville, he was he son of the late Paul Isenhower and Louis Chapel Waldman. On Jan. 13, 1995, in Sikeston, he married Glida Pixley Isenhower, who survives of the home...

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. — Willard Autlee Seabaugh, 89, died June 7, 2019, at the Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau. Born Feb. 12, 1930, in Sedrickville, son of the late Frederick and Emma Sebaugh Seabaugh, he was a veteran of the United States Army where he served in the Korean War...

JACKSON, Mo. — John David Childers, 54, died June 6, 2019, at Jackson Manor.  Born Oct. 12, 1964, in Sikeston, to Betty Ingram Childers of Sikeston and the late Billy Childers, he was employed in construction by ARI in Jackson. On Oct. 11, 1986, in Tampa, Fla., he married Linda Denise Friedrich, who survives of the home...

ORAN, Mo. — Joseph A. “Joe” Eftink, 83, died June 5, 2019. Born on Aug. 26, 1935 in Portageville, son of the late Herman and Cecelia Strack Eftink, he was a retired line worker for Columba Sportswear in Chaffee. He was of the Catholic belief and member of Chaffee Elks Lodge 1810...

WAPPAPELLO, Mo. — Vincent Smith, 56, died June 6, 2019, at his home in Wappapello. Born June 26, 1962, in Red Bud, Ill., son of the late Tee Jay and Thelma Marie Smedley Smith, he had been raised in Dexter and had been a resident of Houma, La., until moving to Wappapello a short time ago. He was of the Christian belief...

SIKESTON — Milan Jeffery Thompson of Sikeston, son of Jeff Thompson and Tamika Renee Booker, was born in Sikeston on July 22, 1996, and passed away at the Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston on June 5, 2019, at the age of 22 years, 10 months and 14 days...

PORTAGEVILLE, Mo. — Hattie Mae Drake Gooden, 66, died June 1, 2019, in Sikeston. Born March 25, 1953, in Como, Miss., she was the daughter of the late Jessie Mae Howard Drake and Arthur Drake Jr. Survivors include: three sons, Daniel Gooden of Jonesboro, Ark., and Dameon Gooden and Jerrell Gooden of Portageville; one daughter, Jelissa Gooden of Blytheville, Ark.; seven sisters, Maude (Michael) Conrad and Mary Drake Leonard of Portageville, Dorothy Drake, Barbara Drake, Abagail Jones and Darlene Mitchell of Kennett and Ella Drake Austin of Woodbridge, Va.; five brothers, McArthur Drake and Eddie Drake of Kennett, Earl Drake of Portageville and Troy Wright and Reggie Wright of Saginaw, Mich.; and 14 grandchildren.. ...

CHAFFEE, Mo. — Helen Christine Jones, 72, died June 5, 2019, at Chaffee Nursing Center in Chaffee. Born Sept. 24, 1946, in Chaffee, daughter of the late George Dewey and Bonnie Mae Naugle Horman, she was a homemaker and of the Catholic belief. On Nov. 27, 1993, she married Ben Jones, and he preceded her in death on June 8, 1995...

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. — JoAnn Schmitt, 70, formerly of Chaffee, died June 3, 2019, at Ratliff Care Center in Cape Girardeau. Born on July 14, 1948, in Jackson, daughter of the late Woodrow and Lois Clifton, she was a retired assembly line worker for Thorngate Ltd. in Cape Girardeau and member of St. Lawrence Catholic Church in New Hamburg...

CHARLESTON, Mo. — Geneva Morgan, 83, died June 4, 2019, at Charleston Manor in Charleston. Born Oct. 27, 1935, in Campbell, she was the daughter of the late Alfred and Mary Dalton Peridore. On Oct. 24, 1953, in Charleston, she married Donnie Joe Morgan, who preceded her in death on April 26, 2009...