Emma Jean Stith, 91 of Thayer Missouri passed away November 6, 2022, at Shady Oaks in Thayer, Missouri following a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s Disease. Jean was born August 19, 1931, in Koshkonong, Missouri to Grover F. and Bessie (Guy) Stith.
Jean as she was affectionately known and was the last of the family of six siblings to pass on.
Jean graduated from Koshkonong school and enjoyed working at the clothing factory in Thayer, then later, at Marathon Electric in West Plains. Her passion was her nephews and nieces, playing baseball with them for many years as the designated pitcher for family gatherings, cooking, baking, gardening, and growing flowers. The last few years, Jean enjoyed feeding and petting the neighborhood cats.
Jean was preceded in death by her parents; siblings Thelma Pressley, Floyd Stith, Evelyn Hatfield, J.F. Stith and Helen Allen; nephews H.C. Pressley of Bossier City, Lousiana, Earl Pressley of Koshkonong, Michael Allen of Thayer, and niece Oneda Pressley Young of Jacksonville, FL.
Jean is survived by nephews James Stith of Harrison, Arkansas, Dane Allen of Springfield, Missouri, Lark Allen of Gilbert, South Carolina, Harvey Allen of Thayer; nieces Cheryl Hamilton of Lolo, Montana, Brenda Swartzlander of Atlanta, Georgia, Dian Hensley of Mount Vernon, Missouri, and Lana Armstrong of Mammoth Spring, Arkansas; many great-nephews and nieces and several great-great-nephews and nieces.
Jean was a Christian and was known as a humble and kind person and will be greatly missed by all that knew her.
Funeral services will be Monday, November 14, 2022, at Carter Funeral Home in Thayer, with visitation at 10:00 a.m. and the service at 11:00 a.m. Brother Travis Quertermous of the Thayer Church of Christ will officiate. Burial will be in the Koshkonong Cemetery. Under the directions of Carter Funeral Home Thayer Missouri.
November 11, 2022 @ 11:17 am
As the last Postmaster of Koshkonong, I was well acquainted with the Stith and Allen families. Then, Emma Jean was in the nursing home with my beloved and much visited in-laws, so I got to visit with her while attending to our own. I am sorry for the loss, but those siblings loved each other, and now they are reunited and celebrating! For over 10 years I maintained the flower fund for Koshkonong and even though most moved away those siblings & their spouses made certain to participate. I hope that tradition has continued in Kosh, as it showed love of community which the Stith’s in part kept alive.
November 12, 2022 @ 6:29 pm
Thank you Donna, for your kind words! That is so nice of you to share your thoughts.
November 14, 2022 @ 8:19 pm
Thank you, Donna. My mother, Aunt Jean and Aunt Lela Rae loved Koshkonong. They faithfully looked after each other, their families, and many community friends.