Obituaries

SIKESTON — Mamie Elizabeth Davis, 89, died July 11, 2018, at the Sikeston Convalescent Center in Sikeston.  Born Oct. 31, 1928, in Memphis, Tenn., daughter of the late Youlus Thomas “YT” Davis and Elizabeth Allen Davis, she was a former member of St. John Missionary Baptist Church in Sikeston. She worked over 40 years as a housekeeper and nanny for Freeman family...

EAST PRAIRIE, Mo. — Edward Lee Williams, 81, died July 12, 2018, at his home. Born Nov. 26, 1936, in Blaine, Miss., son of the late Earl and Gladys Canady Williams, he started farming at the age of 17 and was employed by Steve Jones Farms of East Prairie until his retirement...

PORTAGEVILLE, Mo. — Bobby Gene Treece, 75, died July 15, 2018, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Born April 22, 1943, in Portageville, son of the late Richard “Dick” Treece and Etta Mae Kinchen Treece, he was previously employed by General Motors and of the Pentecostal belief...

SIKESTON — James Clayton, 79, died July 17, 2018, at his home in Sikeston. Arrangements are incomplete at Ponder Funeral Home in Sikeston.

BELL CITY, Mo. — Donna Jean Felton, 55, died July 17, 2018, at her aunt's home in Sikeston. Born Jan. 29, 1963, in Sikeston, she is the daughter of Kenneth P. "Bud" Crowden of Vanduser and the late Margaret (Morgan) Crowden. Donna was a barbecue cook for Dexter Bar-B-Q...

ORAN, Mo. — Edward Lee Jolley Jr. died July 16, 2018, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis at the age of 62. Born March 17, 1956, in Sikeston, he is the son of the late Edward Lee and Olla Lee (Waters) Jolley Sr. Edward was a member of Guardian Angel Catholic Church in Oran...

PARMA, Mo. — Randall Ramsey, the longtime Mayor of Parma, died peacefully in his sleep on July 16, 2018. In addition to being Mayor, he owned and operated W.L. Ramsey Inc., a farm equipment dealership for more than 30 years. Randall was preceded in death by his parents, W.L. and Lorene (Dawson) Ramsey; his brother, W.L. Ramsey, Jr. (Cowboy). He was also preceded in death by his wife, Gay (Murphy) Ramsey; and daughter, Carol Ramsey...

SOUTHAVEN, Miss. — Debra June Russell Gray, 63, died July 14, 2018, in Southaven. Born Dec. 28, 1954, in Sikeston, Mo., she was the daughter of the late Argus Ragon and Ardena Mae Russell. She was also preceded in death by her brother, Hartsil “H.R.” Russell...

SIKESTON — Buford L. Snipes, 73, died July 15, 2018, at Sikeston Convalescent Center in Sikeston. Born Oct. 29, 1944, in Holcomb, to the late J.A. and Frieda Cook Snipes, he was a veteran of the U.S. Army, stationed in Korea. He attended Tanner Street Church of God and had been a cost accountant for various nursing home corporations before retiring...

SIKESTON — Carol L. "Smith" Vielhak, 74, formerly of Eureka, Ill., died July 15, 2018, at Westfield Nursing Center in Sikeston. Born Nov. 19, 1943, in Blytheville, Ark., daughter of the late James Douglas and Flossie Lucille Gestring White, she had sold advertising for the Woodford County Journal in Eureka before moving to Sikeston about 13 years ago. ...

CHARLESTON, Mo. — Mabel Tenkhoff, 93, died July 16, 2018, at her home. Born Jan. 28, 1925, in Texas Bend in Mississippi County,she was the daughter of the late Henry L. and Appalonia “Appie" Unterreiner Renaud, she was a member of different church groups through the years and a past member of the Charleston Country Club.  She worked for Southwestern Bell Telephone starting in 1943 after graduating from St. ...

MOREHOUSE, Mo. — Wayne R. Goodman Sr., 66, died July 16, 2018, at his home in Morehouse. Born July 23, 1951, in Parsons, Tenn., son of Clara Mae Goodman of Morehouse and the late Verlon Monroe Goodman, he had lived in the Morehouse area most of his life. He had worked at the Cargill Grain Elevator for 45 years...

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. — Dorothy Ellen Brewer Ledbetter, 90, formerly of Charleston, died July 14, 2018, at The Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau. Visitation will be from 1 p.m. until service time at 2 p.m. Thursday at the McMikle Funeral Home in Charleston...

MOREHOUSE, Mo. — James Nathan Day, 49, died June 28, 2018, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Born April 28, 1969, in Hayti, son of Brenda Sue Beasley Day of Morehouse and Noah Donald Day of Portageville, he was a 1987 graduate of Portageville High School and worked as an outside contractor...

PORTAGEVILLE, Mo. — Carol Sue Day, 61, died July 9, 2018, in Cape Girardeau. Born May 28, 1957, in Cape Girardeau, daughter of Alvin Edward Parker and the late Reba Slaughter Cook, she was a member of The First Church of God. She was also preceded in death by her sister, Reba Jones...

PARMA, Mo. — Elma Loeda Hain, 93, died July 14, 2018, at her home in Parma. Born Nov. 6, 1924, in Malden, daughter of the late Charles Franklin and Flora Hutchcraft Wells, she attended Parma Assembly of God Church and retired as an in-home health care worker with VNA...

DEXTER, Mo. — Phillip Ray Frazier Sr., 56, died July 13, 2018, at St. Louis University Hospital in St. Louis. Born June 30, 1962, in Hartford, Md., son of Ray Frazier of Dexter and the late Edith Maye Frazier, he had lived in the Dexter area most of his life and worked for T&W Masonry as a brick layer. He had been a member of the Dexter Eagles Aerie...

CENTRALIA, Mo. — Faye Anne Jeffries, 85, formerly of Charleston and Columbia, died July 13, 2018, at her daughter’s home in Centralia. Born Feb. 28, 1933, in Charleston, daughter of the late Bill and Zettie Elrod McCutchen, she lived in Charleston until June 1965 when she moved to Columbia with her children. She was employed with the State of Missouri Department of Education teaching food health and sanitation. Later, she became a Realtor in the Columbia area until her retirement...

ORAN, Mo. — Phyllis Ann Trankler, 75, died July 14, 2018, at Chateau Girardeau in Cape Girardeau.  Born June 21, 1943, in Oran, daughter of the late Clemence Peter and Syvilla Rosina Seyer Sobba, she was the secretary for North Scott County Ambulance Service and member of Guardian Angel Catholic Church in Oran, St. Ann’s Sodality and Knights of Columbus Council 4311 Ladies Auxiliary...

ORAN, Mo. — Lloyd Elton Michelsen, 81, died July 14, 2018, at his home. Born Aug. 24, 1936, in Hagarville, Ark., son of the late Charley Elton and Faye Etta Bacchus Michelsen, he was a retired meat cutter for several area stores and member of First Baptist Church in Oran...

EAST PRAIRIE, Mo. - Cynthia Marie Thorne, 50, died July 11, 2018, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston.  Born Dec. 30, 1967, in East Prairie, to Shirley Jeanette Latamondeer Thorne who survives of East Prairie and the late Troy McThorne, she was employed in home health care by Quality Care. ...

SIKESTON, Mo. - Betty J. Taylor, 75, died July 12, 2018, at her home in Sikeston. Born March 12, 1943, in Reyno, Ark., to the late Dempes and Lillie (King) Taylor, she was a delivery driver for Dominos Pizza. Survivors include: one son, Tim Taylor of Sikeston; two brothers, Glen Taylor of St. Louis, Mo., and Bill Taylor of Bonita Springs, Fla.; and three sisters, Ruthine Counts of Sikeston, Charlotte Drury-Butler of Bonita Springs Fla. and Bunny Keesee of Cape Girardeau, Mo...

PUXICO, Mo. — Rev. Dayna Zoll-Cookson, 41, died July 9, 2018, at her home. Born Nov. 26, 1976, at Poplar Bluff, Mo., to Gary Zoll of Puxico and the late Joyce Eads Stafford, she had lived in Dudley, Dexter, New Mexico, St. Louis and Puxico. She graduated...

PORTAGEVILLE, Mo. — Mary Angeline (Angie) Kelley, 75, July 9, 2018, at her home in Portageville. Born Feb. 27, 1943, in Vinita, Okla., to the late Arthur Monroe Hunt and Violet (Carpenter) Hunt. she graduated from Nathan High School in Tulsa, Okla., and attended Tulsa University, UMSL, McKendree College and received her RN degree at Belleville Area College. ...

SIKESTON — David Louis Walton, 50, died July 10, 2018, at the Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston, Mo.

Born Dec. 3, 1967, in Chaffee, Mo., to the late Eddie and Willie Etta Walton, he was a graduate of Sikeston High School. After graduation, he was employed at Lambert’s Cafe in Sikeston before going on to work at Noranda Aluminum where he was employed for over 20 years before retiring. ...

CHILLICOTHE, Mo. — Charles Eddy, 72, a resident of Chillicothe, Missouri, died July 9, 2018, at his residence. Born Dec. 6, 1945, in Sikeston to the late Charles Louis and Shirley Maxine (Hartlein) Eddy, he was a 1963 graduate of New Madrid High School. ...

SIKESTON - Hershel Wheelis, 80, died July, 10 2018, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Born Aug. 22, 1937, in Poplar Bluff, Mo., to the late, Clyde and Esther Bishop Wheelis, he was a over-the-road truck driver. Survivors include: one son Larry Wheelis of Portland Tenn.; one daughter, Janet Pells of Leesburg Fla.; two brothers, Jack Wheelis of Augusta Ga., and Dale Wheelis of Albany La., three sisters Katherine Stewart and Sandra Davidson both of Sikeston, and Donna Hale of Advance, Mo.; along with seven grandchildren and three great grandchildren.. ...

EAST PRAIRIE, Mo. - Merl Ray, 80, a resident of East Prairie, died July 9, 2018, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston.  Born April 2, 1938, in Dorena, Mo., to the late Ed and Tress Sutton Ray, he had been a farmer, working in both Mississippi County, Mo. as well as Kentucky.  He was a member of St. James General Baptist Church in East Prairie and a veteran of the United States Army. ...

NEW MADRID, Mo. — Melissa Ann Holland, 63, died July 9, 2018, at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau. Born Oct. 19, 1955, in Dexter, Mo. to the late Jackie and Lola Burton Jenkins Sr., she was a member of the New Life Ministries Church in New Madrid...

BLOOMFIELD, Mo. — Brenda Watson, 71, died July 8, 2018 at her home in Bloomfield. Born Feb. 24, 1947 daughter of the late Arnold Alvin and Bessie Mae Whittley Case, she had worked as a secretary with Specialty Products while living in the Essex and Bloomfield areas most of her life. She attended the St. Joe General Baptist Church in Idalia, Mo...

SCOTT CITY, Mo. — Laverne Freed, 90 died July 8, 2018 at her home in Scott City.  Born June 27, 1928, in Charleston, Mo., to Everett Lee and Mary Lee Flowers Patrick, she was a waitress at Charlestonian Restaurant and was a member of New Life Gospel Center in Scott City...

SIKESTON — Carlotta "Carla" Moore, 54, died July 6, 2018, at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau. Born Oct. 30, 1963, in Dexter, to Joe and Etta Lou Shipp Hughes of Morehouse, she was a member of Landmark Pentecostal Church in Malden and co-owned and operated APS Automated Payroll Solutions with her husband...

SIKESTON — Glenn Hilliard, 86, died July 3, 2018, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. Born Nov. 19, 1931, in Naylor, son of the late Samuel and Letha Short Hilliard, he was of the Baptist belief and a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, having served during the Korean War. He had been a production worker for Lever Brothers in St. Louis before retiring...

SIKESTON — Dewayne Reeves of Sikeston passed away on June 29, 2018, at the age of 71. Born Sept. 21, 1946, he was the son of Polly and Wayne Reeves who preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife, Vickie Renee Reeves of the home. Dewayne is also survived by one daughter, Deena Reeves Sukenik of Dallas, Texas; one son, Tim (Paula) Reeves of Jonesboro, Ark.; three grandsons, Alec Sukenik, Coen Reeves and Callahan Reeves; and one granddaughter, Rachel Sukenik...

CHARLESTON, Mo. — Beachie Dean, 74, died July 4, 2018, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. Born July 2, 1944, at Dorena, to the late Beach Albert Dean Sr. and Maxine Elizabeth Byassee Dean, he was a 1963 graduate of East Prairie High School. He had lived in Mississippi County his entire life and was a retired carpenter. 

SIKESTON — Ronald Newton, 74, died July 4, 2018, at St. Clair Hospital in St. Louis. Born Nov. 13, 1943, in Marston, son of the late Roy and Opal (Fausett) Newton, Ron attended Tanner Street Church of God for 37 years, having served as an usher for 20 of those years, and he coached Sikeston Little League through American Legion Baseball teams for 15 years. ...

SIKESTON — Shawn David Thompson, 45, died July 3, 2018, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Born May 7, 1973, in Eldorado Springs, son of Elizabeth McGrady Casey and Carl Casey of Sikeston, he was a member of Amen Center at Delta and had worked as a truck driver for PTI in Sikeston...

BENTON, Mo. — Betty Jean Presson Haley, 82, formerly of Charleston, died July 3, 2018, at her home in Benton. Born Aug. 28, 1935, at Charleston, to the late William Clarence Presson and Flora Irene Smith Presson, she had lived in Charleston most of her life and was a member of the New Bethel Baptist Church.

CHARLESTON, Mo. — Newton Earlon “Red” Butler, 87, died July 2, 2018, at his home near Charleston. Born July 13, 1930, at Florence, Ala., to the late James W. Butler and Mary Eddice Bradley Butler, he lived a number of years in California where he had his roofing business. ...

ELLINGTON, Mo. — Anita Justine Foster, 79, died June 29, 2018, at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau. Born Aug. 15, 1938, in New Madrid, daughter of the late Clara Carter White and Thomas W. White, she was of the Pentecostal belief. In addition to her parents, he was preceded in death by seven sisters and brothers, Wahnetta Puett, Lorene Carter, Hazel Gremard, Dorothy Tate, Francis Wallace, William “Bill” White and Harold “Dub” White...

EAST PRAIRIE, Mo. — Mildred Irene Allen, 90, died July 1, 2018, at East Prairie Nursing Center.  Born July 11, 1927, in Dogwood, to the late James and Luona Buttrey, she was a member of St. James General Baptist Church and served many years as a “grandmother” for East Prairie schools...

SIKESTON — Eugene Johnson, 58, died July 2, 2018, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. Born May 17, 1960, in Detroit, Mich., son of the late Kelton Morris and Dorothy Johnson Cox, he was of the Baptist belief. He was employed for over 25 years as a cook for Ryan's Restaurant and Lambert's Cafe in Sikeston...

EAST PRAIRIE, Mo. — William Nelson Payne, 60, died June 28, 2018, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Born Nov. 13, 1957, in Cheyenne, Wyo., to the late William Leo and Patsy Ann Parrish Payne, he served in the U.S. Marine Corp in Hawaii and later served the world as a navigator and instructor on the KC-130, receiving an honorable discharge in 1994. He moved to East Prairie in 2001, where he was employed as managing director for SEMO Distributors...

NEW MADRID, Mo. — Bonita Evelyn Watson Shaw, 89, died June 30, 2018, at her home in New Madrid. Born May 13, 1929, in Illinois, daughter of the late Raymond and Bessie Carrell Watson, she was a lifelong member of the First United Pentecostal Church where she served as a Sunday school teacher for many years. She managed the Greyhound bus station until it closed...

ESSEX, Mo. — Dale Vaughn, 61, died July 1, 2018, at his home in Essex. Born Aug. 24, 1956, in Parma, son of the late Arthur Lee and Ruby Edna Maze Vaughn, he had lived most of his life in the Southeast Missouri area with the exception of 10 years in Montana...

LILBOURN, Mo. — Doris Ann Manley, 76, died July 2, 2018, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Born July 18, 1941, in New Madrid County, daughter of the late Marshall C. and Mary J. Middleton Manley, Doris was a member of Lilbourn Baptist Church and had been a hair stylist at Doris Beauty Salon for over 35 years...

DEXTER, Mo. — Jo Anne Morgan of Dexter, 83, died July 2, 2018, at Cypress Point Skilled Nursing Center in Dexter. Born Aug. 28, 1934, near Bloomfield, daughter of the late Veda Mae Edwards, she had lived in Stoddard County all of her life and was a member of the Providence Baptist Church near Puxico...

SIKESTON — Robert E. Crosier "Cool Pop" Sr., 79, passed away Saturday, June 30, 2018, at Miner Nursing Center. Born Feb. 12, 1939, in Charleston, son of the late Raymond and Ruby Smith Crosier, he attended Miner Baptist Church and had been a produce manager for Barkett's Big Star, Food Giant and retired from Crosier Grocery in Charleston...

SIKESTON — Jimmy Glen Ring, 62, died Sunday, July 1, 2018, at his home in Sikeston.  Born Sept. 19, 1955, in Odessa, Texas, son of the late Marlin and Roberta Wait Ring, he had been a resident of Sikeston the past 16 years and was a member of Shady Acres Church of Christ. ...

HAYWARD, Mo. — Margaret Nadine Justice, 78, died June 30, 2018, at her home in Hayward.     Born March 8, 1940, in Tallapoosa, daughter of the late Gertrude Sterling Harding and William R. Hardin, she was a licensed practical nurse. Her husband, Willie Joe Justice, preceded her in death...