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James Lee Reed

James Lee Reed was born April 26, 1941 to George Franklin Reed and Fay Hall Reed at Myrtle, Missouri. He passed from this life in his home March 5, 2021 at 79 years old.

He is survived by his wife, Elfa Rosalee Reed; a son, Jarvis Lee Reed and wife Kelli; son-in-law, Dean Bennett and wife Remona; grandson, Derrick Bennett and wife Tricia and their daughters Katherine, Hailey, and Karen; granddaughters, Katelynn Adams and husband Brandon and their daughters Emmarie, Renleigh, and Olivia LaRue, Sara Johnson and husband Jayden and their sons Jarron Reed and Cade, and Cassie Springer; Dale Lee Reed and wife Lee Ann and their son Chris Reed and wife Kelli, daughter Nicole Lafferty and husband Jason, and their children; other relatives; and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Karen LaRue Bennett; and his parents, George and Fay Hall Reed.

James Lee and Rosalee were united in marriage on July 6, 1958 and were married over 62 years.

He was a preacher, dairy and livestock farmer, and businessman. He served as a little league coach, school board member, the Moderator of the Cave Springs and Mo-Ark Free Will Baptist Associations, pastored several churches, and was a political committeeman. He was a very hardworking and personally driven person that would always make time for those who needed a listening ear or advice. He was a thinker and truly wanted those he cared about to succeed.

James will truly be missed by his family and friends.

Funeral services for James Lee Reed will be held on Tuesday, March 9, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. at the Carter Funeral Home Chapel in Thayer, Missouri with Jarvis Reed officiating.

The family will receive friends on Monday, March 8, 2021 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Carter Funeral Home in Thayer, Missouri.

Burial will be on Tuesday, March 9, 2021 in Walnut Grove Cemetery in Dalton, Arkansas south of Myrtle, Missouri with services under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Inc. in Thayer, Missouri.

Gerald Counts

Carter Funeral Home West Plains

Visitation for Gerald Counts, 81, West Plains, Missouri, will be from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, March 3, 2021 at Carter Funeral Home Chapel, West Plains, Missouri.

He was born the son of the late Lola Wood, on April 9, 1939 in West Plains, Missouri and died February 27, 2021 in West Plains, Missouri.

He was united in marriage September 24, 1956 in West Plains, Missouri to Nancy Thompson, who preceded him in death January 22, 2013.

He is survived by three children, Debbie Greenfield, Dean, St. Louis, Missouri; Brenda Lewis and husband, Delbert, West Plains, Missouri, and Carmen Isakson and husband, David, Mountain Home, Arkansas; one brother, Terry Wood, St. Louis, Missouri; a special cousin, Virbel Stubbs, Lakeview, Arkansas; two special aunts, Erma Jean Good, Springfield, Missouri and Juanita Teeple, West Plains, Missouri; seven grandchildren, Richard Greenfield and wife, Melanie, St. Louis, Missouri; James Counts and wife, Dusti, state of Oklahoma; Michael Lewis and wife, Miriah, Clever, Missouri; Jerry Lewis and wife, Michele, West Plains, Missouri, Mindy Whitmire and husband, Jordan, Highlandville, Missouri, Zach Wilson and wife, Abby, Republic, Missouri, and Tyler Counts, Stella, Missouri; nine great grandchldren, Madeline Greenfield, St. Louis, Missouri; Thomas Greenfield, St. Louis, Missouri; Jaxson Counts, state of Oklahoma; Addison Lewis, West Plains, Missouri; Ella Lewis, Clever, Missouri; Jensen Counts, state of Oklahoma; Jessie Whitmire, Highlandville, Missouri; Beau Lewis, West Plains, Missouri, and Dani Counts, state of Oklahoma, and baby Wilson and baby Lewis on the way; one great great grandchild, Amelia Jenner, St. Louis, Missouri, and baby Jenner on the way, and several other cousins, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his mother and one son, Alan Counts.

He worked for over thirty years at Ford Motor Company in St. Louis, Missouri. He loved spending times with all his grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great great grandchild.

Jesse C. Williams

Carter Funeral Home Thayer

Jesse Charles Williams was born the son of James David “G” Williams and Mary Evelyn “Lena” Williams on June 21, 1940 in Alton, Missouri and departed this life on February 26, 2021 in Salem, Arkansas at the age of 80.

He served his country in the United States Army for three years and was proud to be a veteran. His service included time in Korea. While still in the Army, he was united in marriage on July 12, 1965 to Edith M. Michael.

Jesse is survived by his wife of 56 years, Edith Williams of the home in Couch, Missouri; four children, Gilbert Williams and wife Becky of Couch, Missouri, Jesse Williams, Jr. of Couch, Missouri, Edith L. Barton and husband Jeff of Alton, Missouri and Jennifer Williams of Couch, Missouri; three grandchildren, Cortney Barton of Alton, Missouri, Lauren Godwin and husband Corey of Mammoth Spring, Arkansas, and Tyler Barton and wife Candice of Mammoth Spring, Arkansas; six great grandchildren, Peyton, Lanie, Cameron and Lawson Moyer, and Landen and Chase Godwin; one brother, Jewel Williams of Alton, Missouri; one sister, Connie Bettis of West Plains, Missouri; other relatives; and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Gilbert and Lena Williams; six brothers, Joe, Jennings, Jerry, Junior, James and Dale Williams; and five sisters, Cindy Jackson, Pauline Van Winkle, Augusta Smith, Eugene Waggoner and Sherry Williams.

Jesse attended Oak Hill elementary school and graduated from Alton High School.

He never met a stranger and would talk anyones leg off. Jesse always had a smile on his face. His favorite pasttime was rabbit hunting with his brothers and grandson, Tyler.

He operated a road grader for Oregon County for many years and retired there. He also worked as a road grader at logging camps in Alaska.

Jesse was a born-again Christian and was a member of Oak Hill Missionary Baptist Church for many years.

Being a husband, Dad and Papa was his greatest treasure. He will be greatly missed by his family, friends and by the vast number of people whose life he touched. While we all mourn the gap in our lives of this great man, he would warmly chuckle and say: “Why are your worrying for me? I’m resting in Jesus’ arms.”

Funeral services for Jesse C. Williams, age 80, of Couch , Missouri will be held on Monday, March 1, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. at the Oak Hill Missionary Baptist Church near Alton, Missouri with Brother Edward Casey and Brother Raymond Michael officiating.

The family will receive friends on Monday, March 1, 2021 from 12:00 p.m. to service time at the Oak Hill Missionary Baptist Church.

Burial will be on Monday, March 1, 2021 in the Oak Hill Cemetery with services under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Inc. in Thayer, Missouri.

Julianna Willard

Carter Funeral Home Thayer, West Plains

Julianna Willard, 75, West Plains, Missouri, daughter of the late Cliney Warren and Lillian Burris Warren, was born April 17, 1945 in West Plains, Missouri, and died February 19, 2021 at her home in West Plains, Missouri.
She was married to LeRoy Willard, who preceded her in death.
She is survived by four children, Tammi Kelley, Aurora, Missouri, Sherri Childers, Hollister, Missouri, Rodney Nelson and wife Paula, Pomona, Missouri, and Angela Morris and husband, Mark, West Plains, Missouri; one brother, Kenneth Warren, the state of Washington; eleven grandchildren, and twenty-one great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; one brother, Doyle Warren and one sister, Norma Jean Warren.
She loved to fish, golf, and work in her garden and with her flowers.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, February 25, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. at Carter Funeral Home Chapel, West Plains, Missouri.
Burial will be in Jolliff Cemetery, Oregon County, Missouri, under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Inc., West Plains.

William Arthur Cochran

Carter Funeral Home Thayer, West Plains

William Arthur Cochran was a beloved father and husband.

He is survived by three children, April Honeycutt and husband, Davie; William Joseph Cochran (known to many as B.J.) and Elishia Cochran; his wife, Debra Cody; brother, John Cochran, wife, Cheryl and family; Kristol Cochran and husband, Mike, his son, James Cochran and wife Jessica and all their children together, Bobby, Elias, Lilly, A.J. and Samantha, Casey, Rykar, Roystn (Kristol and Mike’s children) Isabella, Cali, and Rachel (Jessica and James girls). There is an entire community of extended family, Clint and Lisa Daugherty, Wayne fuller and family, Tom Wake, Troy Brown and Mary Brown, Zack, Nathan and Shelby, Charlie and Christine Cochran, Johnny Mills and Monica, and Becky and Todd Brown, and so many more.

He is in heaven now with Clint Cochran, is fourth child; Rachel Cochran; James Cochran, his brother; Bill and Betty James; Glenda Cody, Bob and Margret Cochran. There are many more welcoming him home with open arms, where is now healthy and finally feeling better than ever.

Graveside services will be held Saturday, February 27, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. at Thayer Cemetery, Thayer, Missouri, under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Inc., West Plains, Missouri.

Gordon Dean Johnson

Carter Funeral Home Thayer, West Plains

Gordon Dean Johnson, 87, West Plains, Missouri died February 19, 2021 at his home in West Plains, Missouri.

Funeral services for Gordon Dean Johnson will be Wednesday, February 24, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. at Carter Funeral Home Chapel in West Plains, Missouri, with Reverend Charles Barnett officiating.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, February 24, 2021 from 12 noon to 1:00 p.m. at Carter Funeral Home Chapel, West Plains.

Burial will be at Cave Springs Cemetery, Oregon County, Missouri, under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Inc., West Plains.

Carolyn Todd

Carter Funeral Home Thayer, West Plains

Carolyn Todd passed away at 8:45 a.m. on Friday, February 19, 2021 at Shady Oaks Healthcare in Thayer, Missouri.

She was born August 10, 1943 in West Plains, Missouri to William Bill Mulkey and Ludie Mae Lovelace Mulkey.

On August 29, 1961 she was united in marriage to Russell Lee Todd. To this union two daughters were born Gail and Denise. Russell and her two daughters were her life.

Survivors include her husband of fifty-nine years, her two daughters, Gail Greene and husband Lindy, Denise Lidgard and husband Brent; five grandchildren, Brett Greene and Krysta, MaKenzie Hackworth and Steven, Blake Greene and Alyssa, Kegun Lidgard and Andrea, and Brayden Lidgard; two great grandsons, Nolan Hackworth and Karter Greene. Carolyn had several brother and sister-inlaws that she held dear to her heart, Jr and Sue Todd, Norman and Brenda Todd, Carolyn and Louie Parker, Sue and Len Forschler, Brenda and Gary Mitchener, Ronnie Todd and Monica and Phyllis Todd, and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her father and mother-in-law, Elmer and Fern Todd, her paternal grandparents and her maternal grandparents, Robert Lovelace and beloved grandma Madge Lovelace and one great granddaughter, Olive Hackworth.

Carolyn worked several jobs over the years, but her most rewarding job was within the family home being a wife, mother, and grandmother. She loved reading, decorating and shopping. She loved family vacations to the beach, camping, and Sunday dinners with her family.
She attended the First Freewill Baptist Church in Thayer, Missouri.

Graveside services will be held Wednesday, February 24, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. at Thayer Cemetery, Thayer, Missouri, under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Inc., West Plains.

She will lie in state at Carter Funeral Home Chapel in Thayer, Missouri, Tuesday, February 23, 2021 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Frank S. Gilmore

Carter Funeral Home Thayer

Frank Slaton Gilmore was born on July 7, 1935 in Blytheville, Arkansas to Clarington Buren Gilmore and Cleo LaMyra Tucker Gilmore. At a young age his family moved to Rainer, Oregon where he lived until moving back to Arkansas in 1948.

Back in his home state he attended Poughkeepsie High School where he played point guard for the Panthers basketball team and graduated in 1955. He often said the seven years he spent living there and playing basketball were the best of his life.

While living in Myrtle, Missouri he met Bonnie Wheeler and they were married on November 2, 1957. By 1964 the two were living in Kansas City where he started working for the National Beef Packing Company. This would become the job he enjoyed most. He began at the bottom, cleaning floors, and quickly worked his way up to becoming a supervisor. In 1974 he was transferred to the company’s new plant in Liberal, Kansas, where he and his family lived until moving back to Missouri to farm in 1974.

He and Bonnie bought her family farm and raised beef and pork, and even operated their own dairy for a few years. They loved working together to make improvements on the farm and spent twenty-seven years of farm life together, until her passing in 2001. After that he sold the farm and moved to Springfield, Missouri to be near his daughter. Since then, he has enjoyed spoiling his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and following his favorite sports teams: the Boston Red Sox, Kansas City Chiefs, and the University of Connecticut women’s basketball team. He was thrilled to have lived to see Boston break their curse and win the 2004 World Series and the Chiefs win the 2020 Super Bowl. (He was a little less enthused about the Chiefs 2021 Super Bowl performance!)

Frank loved the Lord and attended the Centerpoint Church of God of Prophecy in Myrtle, where he was baptized. Once he moved to Springfield, he attended Crimson House Ministries and helped with making coffee before the Sunday Morning services.

He passed away peacefully on February 15, 2021 at the age of eighty-five.

Frank is survived by his children, Diane and John Pace of Springfield, Missouri, and Greg Gilmore of Delmar, Maryland; eleven grandchildren, Jeremy Gilmore, Evin Hanlon, Lauren Willey, Shauna Crider, Leah Gilmore, Hannah Binkley, Molli Pace, Levi Gilmore, Sofie Pace, Jes Pace, and Lily Pace; nine great-grandchildren, Lucas, Liam and Charlie Gilmore, Brogen Hall, Stella, John and Teddy Hanlon, and Bonnie and Silas Binkley; one brother, Merle and Esther Gilmore; three sisters, Georgia Gilmore, Rose Ann Dorris, and Lewis and Wayne Christenberry; special niece Beth and Charles Fleming; other relatives; and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters, Jimmie Huckabee, Alliene Dixon, and Gloria Gilmore, one brother, Robert Gilmore, and special cousin, Charles Croney.

Frank will truly be missed by his family and friends.

Graveside services for Frank S. Gilmore were held on Monday, February 22, 2021 at 11:30 a.m. at Cotton Creek Cemetery in Myrtle, Missouri with John Pace officiating.

Burial was on Monday, February 22, 2021 in Cotton Creek Cemetery in Myrtle, Missouri, with services under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Inc. in Thayer, Missouri.

Wanda Lee Cotter

Carter Funeral Home West Plains

Wanda Lee Cottter, 89, daughter of the late Jeff McCarty and Maudie Tackitt McCarty, was born August 10, 1931 in Cumi, Arkansas and died February 15, 2021 at Care Manor Nursing Home in Mountain Home, Arkansas.

She was united in marriage June 30, 1949 at Mountain Home, Arkansas to Randle Cotter, who preceded her in death May 23, 2006.

She was a homemaker, who loved to garden, loved going on long walks, and an avid book reader. She was a devoted member of the Church of Christ in Bakersfield, Missouri.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; two brothers, Johnny McCarty and Kenneth McCarty, and four sisters, Delphia, Betty, Pauline, and Millie.

She was a devoted wife, and wonderful grandmother, great grandmother, and will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Graveside services will be held on Monday, February 22, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. at County Line Cemetery, Baxter County, Arkansas, under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Inc., West Plains.

Pamela Sue Risner

Carter Funeral Home Thayer

Pamela Sue Risner nee Vaughn was born on May 2, 1958 in Kansas City, Missouri, the only child of H.E. and Mary Navarrette Vaughn, and departed this life on February 11, 2021 at her home in Thayer.

She was united in marriage to Keith Risner on April 2, 1983.

Pam was preceded in death by her parents, H.E. and Mary Vaughn; her grandparents; and her in-laws.

She is survived by her husband, Keith, her only son, Beau and extra sons, Tim Tillman and Logan King.

Pam graduated from Thayer High School in 1976 and was the Homecoming Queen that year.

She graduated from X-Ray School and worked at Ozarks Medical Center as an x-ray technician for 37 years and retired in July of 2020.

Pam was a Christian and of the Catholic faith

She was an animal lover, liked dirt-roading, and enjoyed riding motorcycles with her family.

She will be missed by her family, friends, and the community in which she lived.

Memorial services for Pamela Sue Risner were held on Monday, February 15, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. at the Carter Funeral Home Chapel in Thayer, Missouri with Brother Clay Risner officiating and services under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Inc. in Thayer, Missouri.

A Celebration of Life for Pam Risner will be held at a later date.