Kayetta “Kay” Jean Tucker
Kayetta Jean Tucker, 74, of West Plains, Missouri passed away on May 14, 2025, at her home in West Plains, Missouri.
Services will be private.
Services under the care of Carter Funeral Home Inc., – West Plains, Mo.
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Roy Wrenfrow
Roy Wrenfrow was born December 31, 1931 in the Camp area of Fulton County, Arkansas to Bealie Lonie and Ada Velma Hutson Wrenfrow. He had six siblings. He passed away May 5, 2025 in West Plains, Missouri.
He was married on April 2, 1955, to Laverne Arminta Ivey. He is survived by his son, Travis Wrenfrow and wife Jackie of Thayer, Missouri, and his daughter, Remona Bennett and husband Dean of Myrtle, Missouri. Five grandchildren TJ Wrenfrow, Brandi Sikora and husband Jason, Courtney Combs, Megan Breedlove and husband Joshua, and Jordan Combs survive him along with four great grandchildren, Robert Wrenfrow, Katelyn Wrenfrow, Miles Breedlove and Noah Ford. He is also survived by his step grandson’s family, Tricia, Katherine, Hailey, and Karen Bennett.
Two brothers, Ray and Larry Wrenfrow also survive. He is preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, Laverne, sisters Opal, June, Ruby and brother Ronald along with his parents and step grandson, Derrick Bennett.
He served in the United States Army from October 2, 1952, to December 1, 1954, as a cook. After discharge he worked in many industries but mostly pipeline, logging or truck driving. He faced many long difficult days but always with determination and grit. In later years he enjoyed traveling the country and seeing the scenery, visiting with friends and was always ready for a good meal especially a shrimp boil or a fish fry. He was known to try about any type of food at least once. And often said it didn’t matter what food cost as long as it tasted good. He was born again on October 10, 2024, when he confessed his sins and asked Jesus to be his savior.
He was always a thinking man and had many memorable sayings that effectively made his point. He taught us much in life and we are all better for being part of his life.
Burial private and was held on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at the Camp Cemetery of Camp, Arkansas.
Services under the care of Carter Funeral Home Inc., – Thayer, Missouri
Kevin Scott Steed
Kevin Scott Steed, age 57, of Mammoth Spring, Arkansas passed away in his wife’s arms May 4, 2025, at home. Kevin was born March 16, 1968, in Salem, Arkansas to Charles and Ruby (Cook) Steed.
Kevin married the love of his life, Lana Young, on August 4, 1990, in Mammoth Spring, Arkansas. They were happily married for 35 years. Within this union they had two children, Kelsey and Zach.
In 1994, Kevin and Lana started a trucking company. Later that year they hired his twin brother, Kelly, to do book work. Through the years it developed into a successful venture employing many people. In addition to running the trucking company, he had a cattle farm, printing business and a logistics company. Kevin amazed people with his ability to handle it all with ease. Work was his main hobby, but he never missed any activities his kids were involved in. He was happiest when he had a big project that he was working on. His last project, and probably his most favorite, was helping his son build a cattle ranch.
Kelsey and Zach made him prouder than any of his accomplishments. He was amazed at their work ethic and willingness to help anyone at any time. He said many times he didn’t know how he got so lucky to have two such wonderful kids. Then the grandsons came along, and he experienced a joy like he had never known before. They kept his will to live so strong.
Kevin was the most generous, hard-working, larger than life person. He was always busy with work, but his family was his main priority. After his cancer diagnosis they sold all of their businesses. Then he and Lana just enjoyed life by traveling, spending time with friends and family, and spoiling the grandsons.
Kevin loved God, was a strong Christian man and was a deacon at Thayer Church of Christ. He will be greatly missed by all that knew him. He may be gone from this earth but will forever be in our hearts.
He is survived by his wife, Lana; one daughter Kelsey, husband Morgan; one son Zach, wife Chandra; two grandsons Case Scott and Reid Matthew (his pride and joy); his twin brother Kelly, wife Angela, brothers Butch, wife Donna and Jerry, wife B.J.; one sister Barbra Mainprize; brother-in-law and dear friend, Denny Young, wife Rachael; sister-in-law Lynn Smith, husband, John; many nieces, nephews and a host of friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents; father and mother-in-law, Loyd and Lorene Young; and one infant brother, Larry Steed.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, May 9, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at the Thayer Church of Christ in Thayer, Missouri.
Visitation will be Friday, May 9, 2025, 1:00 p.m. at Thayer Church of Christ in Thayer, Missouri.
Interment will be at Pleasant Ridge Cemetery, Mammoth Spring, Arkansas with services under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Inc. in Thayer, Missouri.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to:
Thayer Church Of Christ
P.O. Box 31
Thayer, MO 65791
Greta Pruett
Greta Pruett, 88, West Plains, Missouri, went home to be with her Saviour May 1, 2025.
She was born August 28, 1936 at Grimmet, Missouri to the late Burk Hopkins and Ilene “Bridges” Hopkins.
She was married October 8, 1955 at the New Liberty Baptist Church in Howell County, Missouri, to Bill Pruett, who preceded her in death.
She is survived by two sons, Keith Pruett and wife Pam, West Plains, Missouri, and Paul Pruett and wife Rhonda, Lexington, Oklahoma; three grandchildren, Annette Fine and husband Enos, West Plains, Missouri, Paige Wichern and husband Jared, Tecumseh, Missouri, and Tyler Pruett, Sidney, Australia; two great granddaughters, Sunshine Jones, West Plains, Missouri and Autum Jones, Springfield, Missouri; sister-in-law, Julia Hopkins, West Plains, Missouri; three nephews, Royce Hopkins, Jr. and wife Priscilla, John Hopkins and wife Elvie, and Will Hopkins; one niece, Vickie Bell and husband, Derrick.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; one baby sister, Judy Kay Hopkins; one granddaughter, Renee Pruett, and one brother, Royce Hopkins
She was a member of the New Liberty Baptist Church, and was always active in all the programs and activities that were being held. She was a fifth grade school teacher for over thirty years. She was also given the award for Teacher of the Year in the state of Missouri.
She will be missed by all who knew and loved her.
Memorial contributions may be made to the New Liberty Baptist Cemetery, and can be left at the funeral home.
Church services for Greta Pruett will be held Monday, May 5, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. at the New Liberty Baptist Church, Howell County, Missouri.
Visitation will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, May 5, 2025, also at the New Liberty Baptist Church.
Burial will be in the New Liberty Baptist Cemetery, Howell County, Missouri, under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Inc., West Plains, Missouri.
Steven James Taylor
Steven James Taylor, age 64 of Thayer, Missouri passed away April 28, 2025, at OHC in West Plains, Missouri. He was born October 19, 1960, to Frank and Irene (Morgan) Taylor. Steven married June McVey on October 6, 1996, in West Plains, Missouri. They were married for 28 and half years.
Steven liked to go fishing, watch Nascar, go to demolition derbies, watch movies, listen to music and make wood crafts. He loved eagles and above all he loved spending time with his family and friends.
Steven attended the New Life Church. He will be greatly missed by all that knew him.
He is survived by his wife, June; son James, wife Nicole and daughter Sherri by his first marriage; gained two daughters Cheree McVey, husband Jose and Cheyenne Collins, husband Cody when he married June; mother and step-father Irene and LeRoy Taylor; twelve grandchildren Andrew, Shawn, and Randi McKinney; Hailey McKinny; Adriana, Xavier, Rosalyn; Maisie, Natalie, Aubrie, Kyrah and Paisley Collins; one great-grandson Westin; one brother Robert, wife Mona; two sisters Athena Vest, husband Erick and Andrea Hulgan, husband Richard; four nieces; two grandnieces; one grandnephew.
Preceded in death by paternal and maternal grandparents; biological father Frank; one brother Billy; and two infant grandsons Kaiden and James Collins.
A Memorial service will be held at Mammoth Spring Park on May 25, 2025, will start when everyone arrives after church.
Alvin Ray Hambelton, Sr.
Alvin Ray Hambelton, Sr. was born January 22, 1939 in Ozark County, Missouri to the late Alva Hambelton and Ruth Strong Hambelton, and went to his heavenly home April 24, 2025.
He is survived by one son, Alvin Hambelton, Jr.; one brother, John Hambelton; one grandchild, Emma Hannaford; sister-in-law, Elma Jean Hambelton, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Alvin graduated from Gainesville High School in 1957 and joined the United States Air Force May 23, 1958. He joined to serve his country and learn a trade. He served as a communications specialist. Some of his favorite service memories were from the time he spent in Spain. He was honorably discharged April 23, 1962.
He met the love of his life, Vonda Gregory, when he returned home from the service. They were married March 2, 1963 in West Plains, Missouri. They had a son, Alvin Jr. in January 1964 and daughter Melany was born May of 1968. Of the numerous jobs he had, one he enjoyed was being a chef on a ship, feeding the rig workers in the Gulf of Mexico. He enjoyed being outdoors, fishing and hunting in the Ozark Hills.
He was proud he accepted the Lord Jesus Christ at age thirteen, and loved sharing the word of the Lord and testifying to everyone he met. He was a loving husband, father, and greatest poppy to Emma.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Alva and Ruth Hambelton; wife, Vonda Hambelton; daughter Melany Hannaford; son-in-law Bradley Hannaford; brothers, Owen, Onard, Joe and Jim, and sister Ruby Stover.
He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.
Graveside services will be held Monday, April 28, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. at Oak Lawn Cemetery, West Plains, Missouri, under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Inc., West Plains, Missouri.
Paulette Watne
Paulette Michelle Watne (Vizza-Nee Nessling) 54 of Thayer, Missouri formerly of Chicago, Illinois born November 28, 1970, passed away Sunday, April 20,2025.
She is survived by her mother, Penelope Steffen; her children, Candice (Scotte) Dube and Mark Vizza, Jr.; stepchildren, Nicole, Robert, Raymond Vizza and Brittany Watne; her grandchildren Paige, Logan, and Charlie Lynn; her siblings Daniel (Stephanie), Deborah, Catherine (Stephen) Nessling, Sarah (Blake), Liz and Stephanie. Niece to Michael (Mary) and James (Mary) Nessling and Pan (John) Urquhart. Aunt to Jalisa, Meghann, Alexis, and Kaitlyn and a host of cousins.
She is preceded in death by her father Daniel (Janet) Nessling; her uncles Willian (Karen) and Richard Nessling; her Aunt Pat (Ed) Urquhart; her maternal and paternal grandparents.
Memorial will be private.
Donations to the National MS Society. https://www.nationalmssociety.org/
Kevin James Amrhein Sr.
Kevin James Amrhein Sr.
Born on November 24, 1958, in Buffalo, New York and passed on April 17, 2025, in Mammoth Springs, Arkansas
If you ever needed a laugh, a plate of food, or someone to help you out, our dad was your guy.
Born and raised in Buffalo, New York, Dad lived a life full of family, fishing, haggling, and heart. He had a gift for finding treasure where everyone else saw junk—and somehow, he could talk a vendor down with nothing more than a grin and a story. Dad could sell just about anything to anyone, and you’d walk away thinking you got the best deal of your life… and honestly, you probably did. That was his magic.
Over the years, Dad ran several pet stores in West Plains and Cherokee Village, blending his love for animals—especially fish—with his natural talent for business. He built custom aquariums by hand, each one a little masterpiece. His shops weren’t just businesses; they were community hubs filled with conversation, laughter, and the calming sound of bubbling tanks. Later in life, Dad found a second calling as a car salesman—and he absolutely loved it. It wasn’t just about the cars (though he knew every detail); it was about the people. He made customers feel like lifelong friends, and he lit up every time he helped someone drive away happy. It was the perfect job for a man who never met a stranger and could talk to anyone about anything.
Sundays were sacred growing up. The smell of Dad’s cooking filled the house, and somehow, the table always had room for one more. Whether you were family, a friend, or just someone passing by, you were welcome.
His laugh? You could hear it from across the room.
His advice? Usually unsolicited—but somehow always exactly what you needed to hear. He had a way of showing up exactly when you needed him most. He gave freely of his time, his recipes, and his love. And if you were one of his kids, you could count on a phone call almost every single day—sometimes to check in, sometimes to share a joke, sometimes just to say, “Hey, I love you.” Those calls were a thread that kept us all grounded, a daily reminder that we were never alone.
Some of his favorite sayings will stick with us forever:
“Oh boy,”
“Who’s your buddy, who’s your pal?”
And our favorite: “I love you more.”
Dad is survived by a wild, loving crew who adored him:
Kevin Amrhein Jr. and his wife Elizabeth, Carrie and her husband Corben Shull, Josh Amrhein, Casey Amrhein and his wife Sarah, Michael Amrhein and his wife London, Aaron Amrhein, Matthew Amrhein and his wife Katelyn, Steven Baker and his wife Jessica, Cassie and Bradley Sloniker,
Megan Charbauski, and his extended daughter Tiffany Dugan, who held a special place in his heart. He was the proud grandpa of 32 grandkids and 6 great-grandkids, each one a shining light in his world. He also leaves behind his brothers Doug, Bruce, and Bobby.
Dad was welcomed into heaven by his parents, Frederick and Mildred Amrhein; his former wife, Ann Marie Harrington (1983); his beloved wife, Anna Marie Baker (2023); his son Bryan (2015); and his siblings Yvette Krol, Priscilla Bucceri, Skip, and Ron.
He was the kind of dad who could make you laugh on your worst day.
The kind of grandpa who always had time for a snack or a story.
The kind of guy who never met a stranger. If there was a deal to be made or a joke to be told, he was already there—smiling. He left a mark on every person lucky enough to know him, and we know he’d be humbled by how many lives he touched with his humor, kindness, and big, generous heart.
We’ll miss him at every family dinner, every fishing trip, and every flea market. But we know he’s up there somewhere—grilling something amazing, making a deal, and keeping an eye on all of us.
In Dad’s honor:
Tell a good joke.
Hug your people.
And don’t ever pass up a yard sale sign.
He wouldn’t want you to.
A Memorial service will be held at Saddle Cemetery in Mammoth Springs, Arkansas, on April 26th at 1:00 p.m., officiated by Charles Kirby.
After the service, all are welcome to gather at Fred’s Fish House to share memories and celebrate a life well-lived.
Prayer
May the angels lead you into paradise.
May the martyrs receive you at your arrival,
And lead you into the holy city, Jerusalem.
May choirs of angels receive you,
And with Lazarus, who once was poor,
May you have eternal rest.
Kenneth William Waits
Kenneth William Waits, age 82 of Mammoth Spring, Arkansas passed away April 19, 2025, in Thayer, Missouri. He was born September 13, 1942, in Saddle, Arkansas, to William and Doris (Riggs) Waits. He married Lana Simpson in Mammoth Spring, Arkansas and they were happily married for 32 years.
Kenneth loved the outdoors. He enjoyed going on trailrides, covered wagon rides, rodeoing, gardening, cooking and he especially loved loving on his grandkids. He attended Thayer Freewill Baptist Church for many years. He may be gone from this earth, but he will forever be in our hearts and will be greatly missed by all that knew him.
He is survived by his wife; four children Nocona (Paul) Rundt, Huntsville, Alabama, Ken Allen Waits-Amburger, Gassville, Arkansas, Lisa (Ray) Edwards, Quitman, Arkansas, and Misty Zaborac, Thayer, Missouri; nine grandchildren Blake (Alex) Douglas, Taylor (Tyler) Gaylor, Kendra (Shane) Farmer, Kelsey (Matthew) Tanner, Colten (Bethany) Goetting, Cody (Jenna) Goetting, Cameron (Sahara) Goetting, Dustin (Camron) Howell, and Dalton (Cheyenne) Howell; twenty-two great-grandchildren; one sister Virginia (Charles) Shirley, Sulfur Rock, Arkansas; numerous friends and family.
He is preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Donna Cotham; one brother, Wayne Waits; and one son, Roy Goetting.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at the Carter Funeral Home Chapel in Thayer, Missouri.
Visitation will be Wednesday, April 23, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. at Carter Funeral Home Chapel in Thayer, Missouri.
Interment will be at Riverside Cemetery in Mammoth Spring, Arkansas with services under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Inc. in Thayer, Missouri.
Sondra Morgan
Sondra Lee (Bryan) Morgan passed away April 13, 2025, in Columbia, Missouri. She was born at home on May 7, 1939, in rural Oregon County, the daughter of Myrtle Lurine (Crass) Bryan and Homer Creel Bryan. She started school in Couch, Missouri. Later the family moved to Thayer, where she graduated as Valedictorian of Thayer High School in 1957. She married Winfrey Thomas Morgan, Jr., on July 6, 1957. They first lived in Columbia, where Tom attended medical school at the University of Missouri. Their daughter Stephanie was born in 1958, and their son Christopher in 1960. The family moved to Kansas City in 1961 for Tom to complete his medical residency, and Melanie was born there in 1962. After a brief stint in the Army at Fort Leonard Wood, they moved to West Plains in 1964. There Sondra was a mother, homemaker, and doctor’s wife for many years. She was very involved in the community, serving on the Park Board and as president of the School Board.
In 1981, after all her children had left for college, she resumed her own education by matriculating as a freshman at the University of Missouri. In 1984, Tom sold his medical practice in West Plains and joined her in Columbia. She completed her Bachelor of Arts in English and Classical Studies in 1985, Summa Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa. She then went to law school, graduating in 1988. She clerked for the Supreme Court of Missouri for two years, and then joined the firm of Brydon, Swearengen and England in Jefferson City. Her practice was primarily in public utilities and appellate law. She was made a partner in 1997, and retired in 2007.
Throughout her life, Sondra loved the rivers and lakes of the Ozarks. She and her family enjoyed floating the North Fork, and for many years they had a boat on Lake Norfork in northern Arkansas. She loved to travel, eventually visiting Italy, France, and Ireland. She had eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren, and she was devoted to them all. Her family will always miss her thoughtful gifts, her gracious holiday meals, and, most especially, her ginger snaps.
Sondra was preceded in death by her parents and her husband. She is survived by her sisters, Denise Montgomery (Jack) and Mona Beard (Ted); children Stephanie (Bob Boehm), Christopher (Anita Tesh) and Melanie (David Dennis); grandchildren Rob Boehm (Natalie), Sarah Devero (Jeff), Anna Perdue (Warren), Emily Kinsman (Fox), Laura Morgan (Dylan McKnight), Claire Anich (Chris Phillips), Sam Anich (Leigh Fountain) and Mary Grace Anich; and great-grandchildren Louise, Jack and Billy Boehm, Charlie and Josephine Devero, and Andromeda and Moss Perdue.
Private graveside services and burial will be held at the Thayer Cemetery under the direction of Carter Funeral Home of Thayer.