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Marthe Ginette (Gin) Couch

Our lovely Mother, Marthe Ginette (Gin) Couch, 89, passed away peacefully on February 21, 2023, at her daughter’s home. She was born March 20, 1933, in Boudreaux France the daughter of Andre Martin and Henrietta Paillet.

Ginette grew up in a Catholic orphanage in war torn France, and following her release at the age of 18, went to work. She met John William Couch there, and they fell in love. Once permission was officially received from John’s parents, they were married. Ginette was able to visit different countries as John’s wife due to his Air Force service. The children were each born in a different country, Serge Jimmy Couch, France, Anita Helene Couch Cooke, United States, and Jerry Phillippe Couch, Germany. Once John retired, they moved back to Missouri to enjoy the life of retirement. Ginette was a wonderful cook, and homemaker. Many family gatherings were held in her home where laughter and overeating were enjoyed. She loved the time she spent with all her children and grandchildren.

She enjoyed sewing and craft work, participating in Seymour’s Apple Festival for 25 years, and Santa’s workshop annually. When she first began her crafting, she was known as the Bear Lady because of her specialty in dressing bears. Her crafts were true quality, and she had repeat customers. Gin was fiercely independent, and a go getter for most of her life.

She is survived by two of her children, Anita H Cooke and her husband, Warren, of Seymour, MO and Jerry P Couch, and his wife, Bonnie, of Mansfield, MO. Grandchildren Rachel M Ledbetter and her husband, William, of Fordland, MO, Logan W Cooke of Seymour, MO, Selena A Wilkerson and her husband, Travis, of Fordland, MO and Jerry William Couch. Greatgrandchildren, Cody W Ledbetter, Claire H Ledbetter, Carson JH Ledbetter, Avery L Couch, Lily A Wilkerson, Nora O Wilkerson and Jackson A Lynn. Her Louisiana grandchildren, Samantha (Sam) Gin Lanier, and her husband, Tre, Jessie W Lataxes and his wife, Amanda. Louisiana greatgrandchildren Marley, Mackenzie, AJ, Ayven and Levi. Her French family Patou, Chico, Priscilla, Elvis, Jesse and Titou, nieces and nephews as well as a host of many friends and extended family.

She is preceded in death by her husband, John Couch, her father, Andre Martin, her mother, Henrietta Paillet and her firstborn son, Serge Jimmy Couch, father of Samantha and Jessie.

In lieu of flower those who wish to remember Gin in a special way may make gifts in her memory to the Alzheimer’s Association, https://www.alz.org/get-involved-now/donate

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, February 25, 2023, at 1:30 p.m. at the Carter Funeral Home Chapel in Thayer, Missouri. Visitation will be Saturday, February 25 at 12:30 p.m. until time of the service.

Interment will be on Saturday, February 25, 2023, in New Salem Cemetery, Couch, Missouri with services under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Inc. in Thayer, Missouri.

Lucille Hollaway

Carter Funeral Home Thayer

Eva Lucille (Combs) Hollaway, age 73, of Couch Missouri, passed away February 10, 2023, at her home. Lucille was born June 26, 1949, to Lee and Louella (Hand) Combs in Biggers, Arkansas.

Lucille married the love of her life Charles Hollaway at Cotton Creek Freewill Baptist Church and they were happily married for fifty-four years. Within this union they had three boys, Charles, Jonathan and Clayton.

Lucille was a very loving person and loved everyone. She cherished her family and loved taking care of them. She loved to sing gospel hymns, she enjoyed being a Pastors wife and helping her husband with the church. She will be missed by all that knew her.

She is survived by her husband Charles; three sons Brad, wife Lavel, Jonathan, and Clayton, wife Rachel; seven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and one sister.

She is preceded in death by her parents; two brothers; and two sisters.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, February 16, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. at the Carter Funeral Home Chapel in Thayer, Missouri.

Interment will be on Thursday, February 16, 2023, in Thayer Cemetery, Thayer, Missouri with services under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Inc. in Thayer, Missouri.

Bob Jones

Carter Funeral Home Thayer

Bob Jones, 43, of Nixa, Missouri, passed away February 10, 2023, in Springfield, Missouri. Bob is the son of Steven and Jackie (Jewell) Bennett and he was born August 7, 1979, in Lee Summit, Missouri.

Bob loved riding his motorcycle on his many riding adventures that he would take. He liked to be outdoors, drawing pictures and welding in his spare time.

He never knew a stranger and was a social butterfly. Everyone that met Bob loved and liked him. He would brighten up every room he walked into. He will be greatly missed by all that knew him.

He is survived by his parents Steven and Jackie; one sister Kristle Wery, husband Phil; one brother Rick Jones; two sons Zain Walker and Derek Jones; one very special friend Larry Martens; and numerous family and friends.

He is preceded in death by one grandpa Gordon Jewell; one Aunt Lou Anne LaBrun: and one Uncle Mike Jewell.

A memorial service will be February 15, 2023, at 2 p.m. at Shiloh Grand Gulf Church in Koshkonong, Missouri. Doors will open at 1:00 p.m.

If you wish to send flowers, please send them to Shiloh Church or you may make a donation at the service.

Fred C. Sorrell

Carter Funeral Home Thayer

Fred C. Sorrell, 87, of Myrtle, Missouri passed away February 9, 2023, in Alton, Missouri. He was born March 5, 1935, to Alsia and Bessie (Reynolds) Sorrell in Myrtle , Missouri.

Services are private.

Lavern Clark

Carter Funeral Home Thayer

Lavern Clark was born in Myrtle, Missouri on March 11, 1936, to Willie and Ora (Harbison) Wisehart and departed this life on February 6, 2023. She was married to Boyd Clark on December 12, 1954. Lavern and Boyd had four children Mike Clark, Kim Bridges, Jason Clark, and Eric Clark.

Lavern was an active member of the Thayer Free Will Baptist Church and was a devoted Christian serving as a Sunday school teacher to many of the church youth. She was actively involved in the Women’s Auxiliary and the church choir.

She was an avid reader and highly respected for her sewing abilities. Many people in the church and community were blessed by her beautiful voice and love of singing.

Lavern was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was loved and respected by many and will be missed by all.

She is survived by her four children Mike, Kim, husband Brock, Jason, and Eric, wife Mandy; ten grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

She is preceded in death by her husband Boyd; six sisters Bernice Cantrell, Eunice Wisehart, Marie Sutton, Eulah Payne, Lucy Hyman and Mary Ruth Wisehart; three brothers in-law Virgil Cantrell, Bob Payne and Irvin Hyman; and one daughter in-law Barbara Clark.

Funeral services will be held on Sunday, February 12, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. at the Carter Funeral Home Chapel in Thayer, Missouri. Visitation will be Saturday, February 11, from 5-7 p.m. at Carter Funeral Home in Thayer, Missouri.

Interment will be on Sunday, February 12, 2023, in Byrd Cemetery, Myrtle, Missouri with services under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Inc. in Thayer, Missouri.

Danny Break

Carter Funeral Home Thayer

Danny Dewayne Break, age 61, of Thayer, Missouri passed away February 5, 2023, in Springfield, Missouri. Danny was born May 12, 1961, to J.W. and Imogene (Rutledge) Break in West Plains, Missouri.

Danny was in the Army and loved serving his country. In his younger years he loved to go hunting, fishing, and tinkering with his car. He loved being with his family and friends.

Danny was a member of Faith Trinity Holiness Church in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. He will be missed by all that knew him and he will forever be in our hearts and thoughts.

He is survived by his mom Imogene, husband Wayne Barnes; one sister Jaylene, husband Bobby Ryan; one brother Terry Break; nephew Bobby Ryan III, wife Rebecca; two very special great nephews Bobby IV and Boone; two very special great nieces Baylee and Brouke; three nieces Amber, Angel and Tara; plus, many more family and friends.

He is preceded in death by his father J.W.; one niece Amanda Faith Ryan; maternal grandparents Lewis and Iva Rutledge; and paternal grandparents Nathan and Ruthie Break

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, February 9, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. at the Carter Funeral Home Chapel in Thayer, Missouri. Visitation will be Wednesday, February 8, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Carter Funeral Home in Thayer, Missouri.

Interment will be on Thursday, February 9, 2023, in Thayer Cemetery, Thayer Missouri with services under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Inc. in Thayer, Missouri.

Gerald Hall

Carter Funeral Home West Plains

Gerald Hall, son of the late Albert Hall and Myrtle Fox Hall, was born July 3, 1940 in West Plains, Missouri and passed away February 6, 2023 at NHC Healthcare in West Plains, Missouri, at the age of 82 years old.

Gerald is survived by three children, Geraldene Batterton, Gassville, Arkansas, Eddie Hall and wife Shelly, Oxford, Arkansas, and Tammy Hall, West Plains, Missouri; several grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great great grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Myrtle Hall; his wife Dona Callahan Hall, and nine siblings.

He loved to hunt and fish and enjoyed gardening and working on his lawn and landscaping. He was a construction contractor and loved to build things. His favorite thing was to dance with each of his grandchildren. He also loved to watch wrestling with his grandchildren.

He will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved him.

His arrangements are under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Inc., West Plains.

Thomas “Tom” Michael Heddy

Carter Funeral Home West Plains

Thomas ‘Tom’ Michael Heddy joined his beloved wife of 49 years, Joyce Elizabeth Heddy in Heaven, with the Lord on January 25, 2023, at the age of 72.

He is survived by three children, Raven Perry and her husband, Chester; Robyn Heddy and her husband Jim Borland; and Caleb Heddy; sister Allison Heddy; niece and nephew Ashley and Austin Unterreiner; uncle-in-law Ken Zesch; and several cousins.

Tom was born on May 11, 1950 in St. Louis, Missouri to William A. Heddy and Dorothy F. Heddy, both of whom preceded him in death.

He graduated from Normandy high school, in St. Louis and later from the University of Missouri with a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice.

After marrying Joyce on December 1, 1972, they moved to Independence, Missouri, before settling in West Plains, Missouri. In 1973 he began his career with the State of Missouri, working in the Department of Corrections, Probation and Parole Division, as well as for Social Services. His hard work and dedication paid off, and he retired in 2003 as a Regional Administrator for the Department of Corrections, Probation and Parole Division.

Tom was stoic in nature, as was required for his job, but behind that he was a kind, warm soul that would go above and beyond to help anyone who asked him. Many people that Tom worked with, including his probationers and parolees, have taken the time to express their gratitude over the years.

Tom worked continuously on their home and “hobby farm” as he liked to call it. He did much of the work himself and developed a love and talent for woodworking and farming. He made many fine pieces of cabinetry and furniture. He shared his talent with friends and family and many still enjoy his pieces.

He had a keen appreciation of music and was also a talented fisherman, who loved the river. He could often be heard saying, “paddle me back one more time,” because the fish were still biting.

He coached many soccer and basketball teams, as Caleb was growing up. Participating in community was a priority and he never missed the “Shop with a COP” charity at Christmas time; it really made his holiday. He sponsored a child through Child Fund International and kept in contact with him for years; he genuinely loved him, though they would never meet.

After retirement he enjoyed helping Joyce around the community garden with various projects. He particularly enjoyed meeting and getting to know the young AmeriCorps members that volunteered their time in the area, so much so that he invited the whole crew over for Thanksgiving one year.

Tom had a great smile, that shone through his eyes. He made friends easily and had many lifelong friends.

He will be greatly missed by his children, sister, and constant companion, Shorty. He already is.

Visitation time will be held Saturday, February 4, 2023 from 2:00 p.m. to 500 p.m. at Carter Funeral Home Chapel, West Plains, Missouri.

John Burkhead

Carter Funeral Home Thayer, West Plains

John Edward Burkhead was born the son of Harrold and Jessie Mae (Johnson) Burkhead, on January 31, 1948, in Doniphan, Missouri. He lived a life of service to his family, friends, church, and countless teachers and students throughout his career in education. His courageous fight with cancer reached its end and Jesus called him home on January 29, 2023, in West Plains, Missouri, at the age of 74 years.

He was united in marriage on June 3, 1977, in Willow Springs, Missouri, to Anna Mae Looney, who was the wind beneath his wings and the CEO/Secretary/Treasurer of the operation, as described by John. He is survived by Anna Mae and their one daughter, Sarah Jo Burkhead Whittle, her husband, Dr. Neal Whittle, of Tahlequah, Oklahoma, brothers-in-law James Looney and wife Jean Ann (West Plains) and Steven Looney (Thayer), as well as beloved Burkhead and Johnson cousins around the state and country, priceless hunting and fishing buddies from the places he lived, plus the Douglas family and children Gideon, Josiah, and Olivia. He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Harrold and Jessie Mae Burkhead, and brother-in-law Charles Looney.

John appreciated the team of doctors and nurses who provided care for him during his cancer journey including Drs. Scott Roush and Charles Morgan in West Plains, Drs. Brian Davis and Eugene Kwon at the Mayo Clinic, 3 Rivers Hospice, and West Vue Nursing Center.

As a boy Johnny loved to be in the great outdoors: training bird dogs, hunting for quail, deer, and turkey, and fishing with his parents around Oregon County. He also shined shoes at the Burkhead Barber Shop and loved recounting stories told to him as a young man. John was a proud Thayer Bobcat, class of 1966, whose blood ran green, and was a varsity member of the basketball and baseball teams. As an alumni, he continued to support Thayer athletics and especially enjoyed listening to them on KKountry 95. During his high school and college education, he also played the alto saxophone, which was later passed on to Sarah Jo.

John was a first generation college graduate, earning his Bachelor of Science in Education, Master of Science in Education – Reading, and his Specialist in Education – Educational Administration from (Southwest) Missouri State University. His 40 year career in public school education was spent in the Ash Grove, Ava, Fairview (West Plains), St. Clair, and Howell Valley (West Plains) school districts as a teacher and/or school administrator.

John placed his faith in Jesus Christ at a young age and was a member and Sunday School teacher at the Cornerstone Church of the Nazarene in West Plains. He was an avid crappie fisherman, enjoyed hunting for deer and turkey on his “lost 40” property, gardening and canning vegetables with Anna Mae, rooting for the St. Louis Cardinals, taking trips to Branson, and traveling to new places with family and retired teacher friends.

Funeral service will be Saturday, February 4, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. at Carter Funeral Home in Thayer, Missouri. Visitation will be Saturday, February 4, from 12:00 p.m. until time of service at 2:00 p.m.

Interment will be private.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Thayer School Foundation or to Gideons International, and may be left at Carter Funeral Home.

Rosalee Reed

Carter Funeral Home Thayer

Elfa Rosalee Reed was born on her family’s farm in Alton, Missouri, July 11, 1941, and departed this life January 28, 2023, at the age of 81 years, 6 months, and 22 days.

She was married to James Lee Reed July 6, 1958, and to this union two children were born, Karen LaRue and Jarvis Lee.

Rosalee and James Lee served in many churches in Missouri and Arkansas. She was a Sunday school teacher and church pianist. Additionally, she played piano for a gospel group comprised of James Lee Reed, Gary Mitchener, Susan (Combs) Nicholson, and LaRue (Reed) Bennett.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Reverend Davie Combs and Claudia (Huff) Combs; her husband of over 62 years James Lee Reed, whom she cared for tirelessly in their home until his passing; her daughter Karen LaRue Bennett; and her sister Evalee Lasater.

She is survived by her son Jarvis Reed (wife Kelli); her grandson Derrick Bennett (wife Tricia); son-in-law Dean Bennett; granddaughters Katie Adams (husband Brandon), Sara Johnson (husband Jayden), and Cassandra Springer; great-grandchildren Katherine Bennett, Hailey Bennett, Karen Bennett, Emmarie Adams, Renleigh Adams, Olivia LaRue Adams, Jarron Johnson, and Cade Johnson; nieces Ralinda Register (husband Ray) and Stephanie Locher (husband John); and many great-nieces and nephews, friends, and extended family.

A good name is better than precious ointment, and the day of death better than the day of one’s birth.

Ecclesiastes 7:1

Funeral services for Rosalee Reed, age 81, of Myrtle, Missouri, will be held on Friday, February 3, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. at the Carter Funeral Home Chapel in Thayer, Missouri. Visitation will be Thursday, February 2 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Carter Funeral Home in Thayer, Missouri.

Interment will be on Friday, February 3, 2023, in Walnut Grove Cemetery, Dalton, Arkansas with services under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Inc. in Thayer, Missouri.