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Holly Carol Crass

Holly Carol (Simmons) Crass was born on December 25, 1952 in Alton, MO and departed this life October 4, 2020 in Springfield, MO at the age of 67 years.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 35 years, Glen Crass; her father, John Simmons; one sister, Martha Hollis; and two step-daughters, Janella Crass and Jeana Vandeburg.

She is survived by her three daughters, Rebecca Jewell and husband, Russel, Heather Risner and husband, Clay, and Robin Barton and husband, Kyle, all of Thayer; mother Jean Simmons of Thayer; her brothers, Junior Simmons and wife, Linda of Thayer, Tom Simmons and wife, Connie of Norman, OK and David Simmons of Thayer; her sisters, Diane Castleman of Jacksonville, AR, Kim Spencer, Kamala Crone and Imogene Richardson, all of Thayer; and dear friend Doris Richardson of Thayer; 10 grandchildren, Nick Jewell and wife, Shelby, Sarah Walker and husband, Cody, Colby, Peyton, Evelynn, EllenaGrace, Hayden, Kale, LauraBeth and Ethan; 2 great grandchildren, Isaac and Olivia; many nieces, nephews and cousins; other relatives; and countless friends.

Holly was an active and vital member of Refuge Apostolic Church in Thayer. She was retired and devoted her time to her church, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, and was known as Nini to several others in the community. Holly was happiest when she was surrounded by her children, grand and great grandchildren and family. She was the life of her family gatherings. To know Holly was to love her. She loved with all of her heart. She will truly be missed as a wonderful mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, and friend. We will forever miss our Christmas miracle baby.

Funeral services for Holly Carol Crass will be held on Friday, October 9, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. at the Refuge Apostolic Church in Thayer, Missouri with Brother Clay Risner officiating.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, October 8, 2020 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00p.m. at the Refuge Apostolic Church in Thayer, Missouri.

Burial will be on Friday, October 9, 2020 in Thayer Cemetery in Thayer, Missouri with services under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Inc. in Thayer, Missouri.

Evert Tilman Johnson

Carter Funeral Home Thayer

Evert Tilman Johnson was born in Thayer, Missouri, the son of James William Johnson and Effie Eatheal Brazeal Johnson on December 27, 1923 and departed this life on October 1, 2020 at Flowering Dogwood Greenhouse in West Plains, Missouri, at the age of 96 years 9 months and 4 days.

He was united in marriage to Ruby Louise Edwards on January 21, 1946 in Mammoth Spring, Arkansas, who preceded him in death.

Evert is survived by three children, Bill Johnson and wife, Vickie, Joe Johnson and wife, Sue, and Denise Gum and husband, Pete; four grandchildren, Janine Gum, Derek Gum, Rebecca Simmons and Kimberly Wade; two great grandchildren, Rachel Wade and Ryan Wade and little Gum baby boy on the way; nieces and nephews; other relatives; and countless friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Effie Johnson; his wife, Ruby Johnson; one brother, Dow Johnson; two sisters, Icie Reef and Velma Finney; one half-sister, Annie Bell; and one half-brother, Sted Johnson.

Evert was a Christian and a member of the United Freewill Baptist Church in West Plains, Missouri.

After graduating from high school, he joined the U.S. Navy, and faithfully served his country during World War II. He was a cook and baker stationed on a Naval ship in Oakland, CA…

Evert worked as an engineer for the Frisco Railroad. He retired after 34 years from BNSF in 1983. He remained good friends and spent time with his “Frisco family” well after his retirement. While working for the railroad, he worked part-time maintaining roads and building bridges in Oregon County. After retiring from the railroad, he bought a farm and raised some cattle.

Evert liked to hunt, fish, yard work and especially liked to travel with Ruby in their RV, a passion he passed on to his children.

He will truly be missed by his family and all that knew him.

A private family graveside service will be held on Sunday, October 4, 2020 in Thayer Cemetery in Thayer, Missouri with Larry Yarber officiating.

The body will lie in state on Saturday, October 3, 2020 at Carter Funeral Home in Thayer, Missouri.

Burial will be om Sunday, October 4, 2020 in Thayer Cemetery in Thayer, Missouri with services under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Inc. in Thayer, Missouri.

Eunice C. “Bassham” Shaver

Carter Funeral Home West Plains

Graveside services for Eunice C. “Bassham “ Shaver, 94, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, October 4, 2020, at State Line Cemetery with the Reverend Dennis McGinley officiating, under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Inc., West Plains.

Eunice was born to Jesse and May Yankey on April 25, 1926. Her early years were spent with her mother and stepfather, May and Bills Sills up to the time of marriage to Talmage Bassham on July 9, 1943, in Sturkie, Arkansas, who preceded her in death May 24, 1987. She then later married John Shaver on July 6, 1991 in West Plains, who preceded her in death December 13, 1995.

She is survived by three children, Larry Bassham and wife, Elda, Nixa, Missouri, Linda Barton and husband, Curtis, West Plains, Missouri, and Richard Bassham and wife Quetha, Carthage, Missouri; eight grandchildren, Andrea Porter and husband Joe, Republic, Missouri, Adam Barton and wife Stephanie, Battlefield, Missouri, Shawn Bassham and wife LiYan, Bejjing, China, Waco Bassham and wife Hillary, Tulsa, Oklahoma, Matthew Bassham and wife Angie, Olathe, Kansas, Mark Bassham, Ashland, Missouri, Shea Twenter and husband Adam, Raymore, Missouri, and Aaron Bassham and wife Laine, Olathe, Kansas; twenty-one great grandchildren, and one great great grandchild.

She was preceded in death by both husbands; her father, Jesse Yankey; mother and step-father, May and Bill Sills.

She was of the Freewill Baptist Church faith.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Gideons or State Line Cemetery and can be left at Carter Funeral Home, Inc., West Plains.

Visitation will be Sunday, October 4, 2020 from 9:00 to 11:30 a.m. at Carter Funeral Home Chapel, West Plains, Missouri.

Burial will be in State Line Cemetery, Fulton County, Arkansas, under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Inc., West Plains.

Earsel Eugene Long, Jr.

Carter Funeral Home West Plains

Graveside services for Earsel Eugene Long, Jr., 71, Koshkonong, Missouri, will be held at 1:00 p.m., Monday, October 5, 2020, at the South Fork Cemetery with Reverend Randall Carroll officiating, under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, West Plains.

He was born the son of the late Earsel Eugene Long, Sr. and Ola Beatrice Jones Long, on May 27, 1949 in Nevada, Missouri and died September 29, 2020 in Koshkonong, Missouri.

He was united in marriage July 17, 1970 in French Settlement, Louisiana to Loraine Lobell, who preceded him in death.

He is survived by four children, Angie Walters and husband Darian, Thayer, Missouri; Scott Long, Koshkonong, Missouri; Vicki Baker and husband John, Paragould, Arkansas, and Kevin Long and wife Constance, Nixa, Missouri; two brothers, Bill Long and wife Connie, Moody, Missouri, and Gary Long, state of Arkansas; one sister, Carolyn Bush, Lawson, Missouri; eleven grandchildren, Bailey, Jonathan, and Justin Collins; Bethany Drake Alverson; Areda, Damon, and Darian Long and Justus Drake; Chance, Drew and Addie Keith; fourteen great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents Earsel Eugene Long, Sr. and Ola Beatrice Jones Long.

He loved spending time with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was an avid outsdoorman who loved to hunt and fish.

Memorial contributions may be made to Carter Funeral Home to help with funeral expenses.

Visitation will be held Monday, October 5, 2020 from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Carter Funeral Home Chapel, West Plains, Missouri.

Military rites will be held by the West Plains Honor Guard and Missouri Funeral Honors Program.

Burial will be in South Fork Cemetery, Howell County, Missouri, under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Inc., West Plains.

James Steven Russell

Carter Funeral Home Thayer

Steve Russell, 55, of Mammoth Spring passed away on September 28, 2020. He was born on April 21, 1965 in Walnut Ridge, Arkansas to Noel “Buddy” Russell and Lois Russell of Hardy.

Steve was preceded in death by his dad, Noel Leon Russell; his sister, Cynthia Jo Higginbottom; and one great nephew, Blake Fisher.

Survivors include his wife of 29 years, Sandy Russell; and their two children, Logan Russell of Paragould and Carly Russell of the home. Survivors also include his mother, Lois Phelps Russell of Hardy; mother-in-law, Ruth Arnn of Batesville; sisters-in-law, Connie Sharp (Mitch) of Charlotte and Dianne Patterson (Rodney) of Batesville; brother-in-law, Bobby Higginbottom of Jonesboro; nieces, Jennifer Lloyd (John) of Mena, Mary Beth Shatley (Chris) of Cave City, Alyssia Fisher (Stephen) of Mammoth Spring, and Morgan Jines (Trevor) of Jonesboro; and nephews, Adam Patterson (Stephanie) of Farmington and Philip Patterson (Kayla) of Benton.

Steve was a loving man who was friends with everyone he came in contact with. He was very active in the community as a member of the Rotary Club and serving as President of the local chapter. He was also a board member of the Mammoth Spring School District, a member of the Mammoth Spring Housing Authority and a member of the Mammoth Spring Chamber of Commerce. Most recently, Steve and his wife Sandy founded the Fulton County chapter of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. Steve worked at Southern Bank in Thayer, Missouri, serving as a Vice President and Community Bank Manager. In his church, he was very active. As an elder at Mammoth Spring Church of Christ, he loved serving his church family, and most of all, God.

Steve was truly an amazing husband and father. His family was his pride and joy. He was very devoted and protective of them. He loved and cherished his children and was always happy to tell everyone about their latest accomplishments. He also was a wonderful son, a loving brother and uncle, and a great friend to many. He was passionate, inspiring and motivational. He was an honorable and lovable person. Steve was a great writer and spent a lot of time writing short stories, blogging and working on a novel he hoped to publish some day. He was also humorous, joyful and an all-around gifted man. He will truly be missed by all who knew him.

Graveside services for Steve Russell will held on Thursday, October 1, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. in Riverside Cemetery in Mammoth Spring, Arkansas with Barry O’Dell officiating.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, October 1, 2020 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Carter Funeral Home in Thayer, Missouri.

Burial will on Thursday, October 1, 2020 in Riverside Cemetery in Mammoth Spring, Arkansas with services under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Inc. in Thayer, Missouri.

Memorials may be made to the Rheumatoid Arthritis Foundation, by visiting “helpfightra.org” or by mail to “Rheumatoid Arthritis Foundation, Help Fight RA, 8815 Conroy Windermere Rd., Suite 309, Orlando, FL 32835.

Kelly Bridges

Carter Funeral Home West Plains

Kelly Bridges, 68, West Plains, Missouri, died September 21, 2020 at his home in Pomona, Missouri.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on October 1, 2020 at 10:30 at the Forest Dell Cemetery, near Mountain View, Missouri.

Local arrangements were under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Inc., West Plains, Missouri.

Joe Johnson

Carter Funeral Home Thayer

Joseph Reece “Joe” Johnson, age 80, of Mammoth Spring, Arkansas, passed away Wednesday, September 23, 2020. He was born March 9, 1940 in Mammoth Spring, a son of Harold and June Smith Johnson. He was of the Baptist faith and was a member of Mammoth Spring First Baptist Church. He was an employee of Crompton Mills Inc. in Morrilton, AR for 16 years, after which he returned home to Mammoth Spring where he worked at Hilton Farm Supply, the Beverage Shoppe and Ray-Noble Liquor Store until he fully retired in 2018. After retirement, he enjoyed selling furniture and antiques in a shop in downtown Mammoth that he opened with his late wife, Pam.

Joe is survived by his two sons, Tim Johnson and Tony (Tina) Johnson, both of Center Ridge, AR; one step-daughter, Tosha Owens-Clark of Gulfport, MS; three sisters, Pat Hilton of Thayer, MO, Shirley Garner and Sherrie Keylon both of Mammoth Spring; eight grandchildren, Amanda (Jason) Rehm, Josh Johnson, Brianna (Andy) Beck, Ryan (Kelsey) Johnson, Alexa (Dwayne) Medlock, Joey (Jessica) Patten, Robert (Brittney) Patten, and Garrett Charlton; 11 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives; and friends that were like family.

Along with his parents, Joe is preceded in death by his wife, Pamela Sherrell Johnson; one sister, Peggy A. Edwards; one brother, Jack Johnson; one nephew, Kelly Keylon; one daughter-in-law, Donna Johnson; and brothers-in-law, Joe M. Hilton and David P. Garner.

He will be missed by his family and all that knew him.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Arkansas Children’s Hospital would be greatly appreciated by the family. You can make a donation in memory of Joe at: www.archildrens.org.

A private family service will be held on Saturday, September 26, 2020 at Riverside Cemetery in Mammoth Spring, Arkansas with Brother Charles Morgan officiating. Joe’s grandsons and nephews will be pallbearers.

Burial will be on Saturday, September 26, 2020 in Riverside Cemetery in Mammoth Spring, Arkansas with services under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Inc. in Thayer, Missouri.

Jack Johnson

Carter Funeral Home Thayer

Jack Dean Johnson was born the son of the late Harold Willis Johnson and Mary June (Smith) Johnson, on May 24, 1945, in Mammoth Spring, Arkansas, and departed this world on Monday, September 21, 2020, in his hometown, at the age of 75.

He was united in marriage on August 24, 1970, in Las Vegas, Nevada, to Mary Nanette (Edwards) Crighton. From that marriage he is survived by his children, Dane Johnson, and wife Delica, of Thayer, Missouri, and daughter Sarah Johnson of Mammoth Spring, Arkansas.

He is also survived by his three grandchildren, Ella Johnson, Rowan Johnson, and Archer Johnson, all of Thayer; three sisters, Pat Hilton of Thayer, and Shirley Garner and Sherrie Keylon, of Mammoth Spring; one brother, Joe Johnson, who has since passed; six nieces and nephews, 18 great nieces and nephews, and 19 great-great nieces and nephews; many cousins; other relatives and an endless number of friends who were like family.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Peggy A. Edwards; one nephew, Kelly Keylon; brothers-in-law, Joe M. Hilton and David P. Garner; and sister-in-law, Pam Johnson.

He proudly served his country as a Hospitalman Third Class of the United States Navy being designated Corpsman of Marine Aircraft Group 36 from 1963 to 1967, 13 months of which were spent in the Vietnam War. There he received the high honors of a Purple Heart, Aircrew Badge, Air Medal, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. After completing his time in the military, Jack attended the University of Missouri – Kansas City, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy in 1974. He continued his service, now as a pharmacist, at the Kansas City VA Medical Center.

Jack experienced great strength in family. From spending time with his children, to bonding closely with his grandchildren, he was happiest when he was with those he loved. Sunday lunches were an essential part of his week giving him time to catch up with his siblings. Outside of family, he loved spending his days on the river and visiting the California or Florida beaches when occasion permitted.

He found pleasure in his many years serving the community as a pharmacist; getting to know his patients was his favorite part. As those who were familiar with him would attest, once Jack was in your life, he stayed forever. He was always there to lend an ear, offer a word of encouragement, and took a deep interest in others’ lives. He will be fondly remembered for the love and life he shared.

Services to be announced at a later date with arrangements under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Inc. in Thayer, Missouri.

Benjamin Earl “Flash” Collins

Carter Funeral Home West Plains

Benjamin Earl Collins, son of the late Benford Collins and Octie Collins Collins, was born May 11, 1945 in Richville, Missouri and died September 15, 2020 in West Plains, Missouri at the age of 75 years.

He is survived by two children, Carrie Collins and friend, Jeff Mayberry, West Plains, Missouri and Benny Collins, Caulfield, Missouri; an ex daughter-in-law, Blenda Massey, Dora, Missouri; five grandchildren, Autumn Mayberry, West Plains, Missouri; Zachary Mayberry, Branson, Missouri; Brady Massey, Dora, Missouri, Destany Massey, Dora, Missouri, and Kaydince Harris, Dora, Missouri; five great grandchildren, Irisha Mayberry, Izzybella Mayberry, Ileaha Mayberry, Alexis Mayberry, and Carson Mayberry, all of West Plains, Missouri.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, J. W. Collins; four sisters, Bernice Freeman, Faye Turnbull, Opal Collins, and Betty Collins.

He was a self taught mechanic, who could fix anything that needed fixing. He was not only a mechanic, but could do plumbing, carpentry; just whatever needed to be fixed. He liked to garden.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, September 17, 2020 at Carter Funeral Home Chapel, West Plains, Missouri from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Waneta Loy Simmons

Carter Funeral Home West Plains

Waneta Loy Frisk Simmons peacefully passed away at home with family by her side on her 74th birthday, September 13, 2020, in West Plains, Missouri.

Loy was born on September 13, 1946 to the late Ray Edward and Verna Mae (Barker) Frisk in Van Nuys, Ca.

She was raised in Camarillo, Ca. where she lived on a dairy farm with her surviving siblings James Frisk, John Frisk, and Dawna Frisk Bouchard. Loy was a meter maid in Butte, Mt and later a bookkeeper in Phoenix, Az. She was an avid reader, the family historian and enjoyed movies, her pets, family and friends.

She is survived by her loving husband of 25 years, Gene Simmons. They retired in West Plains, Mo. In 2005.
Loy is survived by her children, Bill Peterson (wife JoAnn Peterson) of Youngstown, Fl. and Cheryl Peterson (fiancé Dan Sweeney) of Jonesboro, Ark. She had 3 grandchildren (Lacey, Andrew and Kylie) and 5 great grandchildren. She had 4 bonus children (Debbie, Cyndi, Julie and Ken) with an additional 8 grandchildren and several great grandchildren. Loy also had many cousins, nieces and nephews.

No services will be scheduled.