Thayer Funeral Home
Everett Lee Bates, 72, of Thayer, Missouri passed away at the Ozarks Medical Center of West Plains, Missouri on December 20th, 2024.
Burial will be at the Norman Cemetery of Alton, Missouri.
Services in care of Carter Funeral Home Inc., -Thayer, Missouri
Myrl Curtis Pitts, 78, of Thayer, Missouri passed away on December 14, 2024, surrounded by family. Curt was born in Alton, Missouri, the son of Helen Wiggs Pitts and Dan Pitts. He graduated from Alton, class of 1964. He worked 35 years with Burlington Northern Railroad as an engineer and retired in 2006. Curt married Carol Chronister on June 10, 1967. They were married for 57 years.
He was a member of the Bailey Chapel Freewill Baptist Church in Alton, Missouri from his youth. He faithfully attended Thayer Freewill Baptist Church in later years.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Helen and Dan Pitts, an infant brother, Joe Dan Pitts, a twin brother, Earl Keith Pitts, and sister, Mary Ann Holman. He is survived by his wife, Carol Pitts, daughter, Melissa (Stephen) Clark, Matthew (Valerie) Pitts, and Marc (Megan) Pitts, all of Thayer. He has 6 grandchildren, Cameron Clark of McCloud, Oklahoma, Gaige Pitts, Landry Pitts, Easton Pitts, Cannon Pitts, and Marley Pitts, all of Thayer and one great-granddaughter, Ruby Clark of McCloud, Oklahoma. He was also survived by nephews, Jeral (Regina) Holman and Jeff (Michelle) Holman of Alton and several great-nieces and nephews. He will be missed by many friends in the community.
A great pleasure of his life was watching his grandchildren play and his son coach at Bobcat ball games. Curt loved his family and took great pride in all of their accomplishments. In addition to attending ball games, he loved to work in his yard. He was a hard-working, family-loving, reserved man. He was a man of faith who trusted in his Lord.
Visitation will be held on December 18, 2024, from 1:00 pm to 2: 00 pm at Carter’s Funeral Home in Thayer.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, December 18th at 2:00 pm at Carter’s Funeral Home in Thayer, eulogy by Bob Wiggs and Melvin Hass officiating. Interment will be at Thayer Cemetery following the funeral service under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Inc. in Thayer, Missouri.
Pallbearers – Blakely Cook, Jeff Holman, Jeral Holman, Cannon Pitts, Easton Pitts, Gaige Pitts, and Landry Pitts
Honorary Pallbearers – Marley Pitts
Singers: The Howells
Jo Anne Simers, 90 of Mammoth Spring, Arkansas, died Saturday, December 7, 2024 at The Gables of Canton. Born November 24, 1934 in Mammoth Springs, Arkansas, she was a daughter of the late Ned and Ruth (Mullens) Wood. She had worked for the USDA in Arkansas and the Sears catalog office. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Blytheville, Arkansas, where she served as church pianist and sang in the choir when she was younger. Jo Anne enjoyed time with her family and sewing. Her husband, Jack D. Simers, preceded her in death on February 11, 2022. She is survived by 3 sons Randy (Cheryl) Simers of Bolivar, David D. Simers of Plano, Texas and Tobias W. Simers of O’Fallon, Missouri; 5 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a daughter Melissa and 2 sisters Nita Yewell and Barbara Wood.
Funeral services will be held Friday, December 13, 2024, at 11:00 AM at the Carter Funeral Home in Thayer, Mo. Burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery in Mammoth Spring, Arkansas.
Obituary information for JoAnne Simers
Services in care of Lebold -Smith Funeral Home of Boliver, Ohio and Carter Funeral Home Inc., of Thayer, Missouri.
Ava Honeycutt White was born on January 19, 1937 to the late Elijah & Pearl Honeycutt of the rural Ravenden, Arkansas community. She was the youngest of 10 children and was raised on the family farm. Passing away on December 7th, 2024, her sojourn on this earth encompassed 87 years, specifically, 32,100 days. After graduating from Ravenden High School, she went to live with her sister Neva and her husband, Lehman in St. Louis, MO. It was while working for Sears Robuck she literally bumped into the man that would become the love of her life and her mate for over 67 years, Charles A. White of St. Louis. Within that first year of marriage, they brought their first child, Kyle, a special needs baby entered the world. They later made their home in Henderson, TN, where Charles was enrolled in Freed-Hardeman College as a ministerial student. While they lived in Henderson, their second child, Kevin was born. After receiving a 3 year degree at F-HC, they moved to Oklahoma, where Charles received his BA in Bible from Oklahoma Christian College. It was in Oklahoma City that their third child, Donna was born. Following graduation from college, their lives were fully involved in ministry, taking them to congregations in Oklahoma City, Springfield, Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, East Peoria, Illinois, Ozark, Missouri and Centerville, TN. Their fourth child, Dana, was born while in Springfield, Missouri. While being a full-time homemaker, while the kids were little, she worked part-time as a Welcome Wagon Hostess and was also a salesperson for Avon. Later, when the kids were school age, she began a career as a Bank Teller for Commerce Bank in Springfield, Mo and then later retired as a Teller with Ozark Bank in Ozark, MO. Ava was very talented and had a work ethic that was truly amazing. She loved to have a huge garden that enabled her to can vegetables that would last the family year round. She was a master seamstress that made countless dresses and outfits for herself and the girls. She was able to make quilts that kept the family warm throughout the winters. She had the proverbial green thumb and enjoyed a yard overflowing with foliage, while keeping the house full of plants and flowers. Ava was a renown cook. One of her greatest joys was to cook and bake for her family and for those in the community. Every holiday was a feast of homemade foods, desserts and candies. Charles and Ava retired in 2002 and moved to Dickson, Tennessee to be near their grown children and grandchildren. They were faithful members of the Walnut Street Church of Christ for over 20 years. They continued to give total care for their special needs son, Kyle, until Charles’ death in September of 2023. Following his death, Ava and Kyle moved to Lebanon, TN, so that Kevin could help care for his mother and brother. She cherished getting to be a part of the Berea Church of Christ in Lebanon until the time of her death. Ava was preceded in death by her husband, Charles and daughter, Donna. She was also preceded in death by her parents and seven siblings: Nathaniel Honeycutt, Viola Honeycutt, Berry Honeycutt, Earl Honeycutt, Neva James, Harold Honeycutt, and Dorthea Honeycutt. She is survived by sons, Kyle and Kevin (Delana) of Lebanon, TN and daughter, Dana (Philip) McKelvy of Bartlett, TN. Grandchildren: Ashley (Aaron) Schmitt-Matzen, Brandon White (Fiance’ Danielle), Dhanielle (Brett) Cursey, Camryn McKelvy, Holden McKelvy, Samantha Mosley and Sawyer Mosley. Great-Grandchildren: Liam, Harper, Nora and Lenox Schmitt-Matzen. She is also survived by a sister, Mary Marriott of Pocahantas, AR and a brother, Ben Honeycutt of Jonesboro, AR. She leaves behind a host of beloved nieces and nephews. Ava also cherished the relationships she enjoyed with her brothers and sisters in Christ at every congregation that she and Charles served at in their more than 60 years of ministry. The family owes a debt of gratitude to Dr Byron Haitas, Dr. Walter Stephens, and Dr. Samuel Crutcher for their exceptional care. A special thanks to everyone at Gentiva Hospice, Debbie Taylor and Debbie Klingler for their assistance. Their gracious care enabled Ava to stay in her home all the way to the end. A Visitation will take place on Monday, December 9th from 2:30 – 6:30 pm at the Berea Church of Christ in Lebanon, Tennessee with a funeral service to follow at 6:30 pm. Mike Flanagan, Lee Mangrum and Kevin White will be officiating. Curry Dudley will lead congregational singing. John Bryan, Nathan Graham, Johnathon Forrest, Colby James, Jeff Klingler and Donnie Steed will serve as Pallbearers. The Elders and Deacons of the Berea Church of Christ will serve as Honorary Pallbearers. On Wednesday, December 11th, there will be a Visitation at Carter Funeral Home in Thayer, MO from 11:00 -1:00 p.m. with a funeral service to begin at 1 p.m. with Kevin White to officiate. Burial will follow at Thayer Cemetery. Family members will serve as Pallbearers. If you would like to honor her memory, you are encouraged to donate to the Donna White Memorial Scholarship at Freed-Hardeman University.
Ava White Obituary (1937 – 2024) – Lebanon, Tennessee
Barbara “Bo,” grandma Bo, June Young, 91, daughter of the late George and Grace (Staggs) Whitten was born March 31, 1933 in Prescott, Arkansas, and passed away November 13, 2024.
Bo was married to Glendel Dean Young at Dumas, Arkansas. The union produced five children, Bruce Clayton Young, Glen Allen Young, Frank Douglas Young, Grace Ailene Frick of Pottersville and Ramona Wright of West Plains, Missouri.
Bo loved her family, nursing, gardening, reading, going places to see friends and family. Holidays and family were her greatest joy. She would always have food she prepared at her family gatherings. She loved to prepare recipes that were passed down through the generations. She loved a good cup of coffee with friends and family.
She had a strong belief in God and that when one dies there would be a place for all, where all would meet again.
Barbara is survived by two daughters, Grace Frick and Ramona Wright; grandchildren, Paige Wichern, Matthew Young, Jessica Mann, Grant Young, Zachary Wright, Alison Pearson, Daniel Young, Caleb Young, Roman Young, and Hannah Gleason; twenty great grandchildren, and three great great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; three sons, Bruce Young, Glen Young, and Frank Young; one grandson, Shane Young; one great grandson, Lane Young; two brothers and five sisters.
The family would like to give a special thanks to the Ozarks Healthcare Hospice Program and staff. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the New Liberty Baptist Church Cemetery Fund and can be left at the funeral home.
Graveside services will be held Friday, November 29, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at New Liberty Cemetery, Howell County, Missouri.
Teresa Evon Cotham, 58, born on April 4, 1966, in Memphis, Tennessee, passed away on November 15, 2024, in Thayer, Missouri, surrounded by loved ones in her home. Teresa was married to her high school sweetheart, Kenny Cotham, in 1983, and the couple celebrated 41 years together. They were blessed with three children: Brett, Brandon, and Cecily.
Throughout her life, Teresa was known for her vibrant spirit and a variety of hobbies. She enjoyed crafting, shopping, listening to music, sewing and she proudly held the title of being undefeated in checkers. In her youth, she was an avid athlete, excelling in softball, basketball, and volleyball. She was also a talented short-stop in a coed league, showcasing her competitive spirit.
Teresa had a deep spiritual faith, serving as a Sunday School teacher at Mammoth Spring First Baptist Church for many years. She loved nothing more than being surrounded by her family and spoiling her grandchildren.
She is survived by her husband, Ken Cotham; her children, Brett Cotham and partner, Jessica, Brandon Cotham and wife, Keesha and Cecily Mills; her grandchildren, Spencer, Chase, Chance, Miles, Lucy and Cianna; her sister, Sherri Atkisson and husband, Steve; her niece, Caitlin Carey and family; along with several cousins, nieces, nephews, and many loved ones.
Teresa is preceded in death by her parents, Eris and Barbara Westmoreland; her grandparents, Rufus and Flora Westmoreland and Herbert and Louenne Smith. Her warm heart, joyful spirit and unwavering faith will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
Memorial services will be held on Saturday, November 23, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at Shiloh Grand Gulf Church in Thayer, Missouri.
Inurnment will be on Saturday, November 23, 2024, in Shiloh Grand Gulf Cemetery, Thayer, Missouri with services under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Inc. in Thayer, Missouri.
Shiloh Grand Gulf Church and Cemetery
426 County Road 378
Koshkonong, Mo, 65692
M. Edward “Eddie” Taylor, 85 of Thayer, Missouri, passed away peacefully at his home on Thursday, November 14, 2024, with his wife of 58 years, Lois at his bedside.
Eddie was born in Thayer, Missouri to Simeon Felix Taylor and Marian (Phillips) Taylor on September 19, 1939. He is preceded in death by his parents, two sons, David Walker Taylor and Daniel Edward Taylor, two brothers, SF “Buddy” Taylor and Paul Taylor, two sisters, Mary Anne Talley and Alice “Perky” Mix.
Eddie attended Thayer Schools all of his 12 years and remained a proud Bobcat for the rest of his life. He graduated with the class of 1957. He spent three years at Mizzou before joining the Army National Guard and serving honorably for 6 years.
Eddie had many hobbies and interests like hunting, fishing, and gardening. He loved sharing his bounty with others. He was an avid Dodgers fan. He was employed by the city of Springfield Fire Department for 25 years and retired as Captain. Ed was a member of the Faith Chapel Freewill Baptist and enjoyed teaching the adult Sunday School class. He was willing to share Jesus with everyone he could and was a member of Gideons International.
He is survived by his wife Lois (Walker) Taylor of the home, one sister, Pearl Hines, multiple nephews and nieces, and a special Grandson, Dylan Dennis and wife Lesley and great-grandchildren, Raegan and Beckett.
Ed was one of a kind and will be greatly missed. He carried himself with integrity, wisdom, honesty, and strength.
In lieu of flowers please donate to Gideon’s International or charity of your choice.
Gideons International
P.O. Box 404
Thayer, Mo 65791
Officiating will be Brother Jason Roberts. Pallbearers will be Dylan Dennis, John King, Frank Mix, Mark Mullen, Matt King, August Herbold, Mike Morris and Ralph McFann.
Graveside Services will be on Tuesday, November 19, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at the Thayer Cemetery of Thayer, Missouri.
Interment will be Tuesday, November 19, 2024, at the Thayer Cemetery of Thayer, Missouri.
Services under the care of Carter Funeral Home Inc., – Thayer, Missouri.
Danner James Stewart, age 81 of Alton, Missouri, passed away November 13, 2024, at his home surrounded by his loved ones.
He was born July 28, 1943, in Utahville, South Carolina to Major and Mandy (Jones) Stewart. He married the love of his life Margaret Ann Morris in Glendale, California on October 24, 1964. Within this union, they had five children. They were happily married for sixty years.
Danner enjoyed wood working and remodeling houses. He was avid outdoorsman. He loved going to yard sales, auctions, hunting, fishing, camping, and farming.
He served the Army and was in the 101st Airborne Division. He helped build the trans Alaskan pipeline and was a cattle farmer. Danner will be greatly missed by all that knew him.
He is survived by his wife, Margaret Stewart; five children, Tracy Stewart (Rexeen), Amanda McDonald (Jim), Marie Stewart, Tammie Stewart, and Tina Stewart; thirteen grandchildren and twenty-four great-grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his parents; three brothers and four sisters.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 16, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. at the Carter Funeral Home Chapel in Thayer, Missouri. Visitation will be Friday, November 15, 2024, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at Carter Funeral Home Chapel in Thayer, Missouri.
Interment will be on Saturday, November 16, 2024, in Thayer Cemetery, Thayer, Missouri with services under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Inc. in Thayer, Missouri.
Judy Lea Bowers was born the daughter of Edward Mask and Constance Rolewicz Mask on December 9, 1951, in Camp, Arkansas and departed this life on November 5, 2024, at the Flo & Phil Jones Hospice House of Jonesboro, Arkansas. She was united in marriage on September 29, 1972, in Thayer, Missouri to Carlos Dean Bowers.
Judy was a member of the Freewill Baptist Church of Thayer, Missouri for many years. Her favorite pastimes included visiting with friends, watching the grandchildren during sports and activities, gardening and rooting for her favorite team, the Cardinals. Judy was a champion for the mentally handicapped, elderly, and anyone who could not speak for themselves. She believed caregiving was the most special gift you could give another person.
Judy is survived by two daughters, Carlisa Lynn Sample, husband, Jack of Jonesboro, Arkansas and Melissa Elaine Bowers of Jonesboro, Arkansas; two granddaughters, Sydney and Avery Sample of Jonesboro, Arkansas; one grandson, Carter Bowers of Jonesboro, Arkansas; five brothers, Karl Mask and wife Carol, Keith Mask and wife Marilyn, Jack Mask, Richard Mask and wife Luetta, and Jeffery Mask and wife Cheryl; many nieces and nephews.
Judy is preceded in death by her parents, husband Carlos Dean Bowers, two infant sons and her brother, Dale Mask.
Judy was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend who enjoyed life to the fullest and left all of us better for having known her.
Memorials may be made to the:
Oregon County Food Pantry Thayer
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Funeral services will be held on Sunday, November 10, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at the Carter Funeral Home Chapel in Thayer, Missouri. Visitation will be Sunday November 10, 2024, from 1:00 p.m. until time of service at 2:00 p.m.
Interment will be on Sunday, November 10, 2024, in Thayer Cemetery, Thayer, Missouri with services under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Inc. in Thayer, Missouri.
Ellen Louise (Driskell) Houser was born October 30, 1953, in Hamburg, Iowa to Wayne and Rose (Kelly) Driskell. She passed away October 31, 2024, at her home in Mammoth Spring, Arkansas.
Ellen married James Dean Houser of Shenandoah, Iowa on July 24, 1970. Their children are Wendy Moyer, James Houser Jr. and Johnny Houser.
Ellen’s first job was a Car Hop at the A&W in Willow Springs, Missouri. She also worked for Mount Arbor Nursery, Earl Nursery, Eaton Corp. and Lloyd’s at Shenandoah, Iowa and the Murphy Calendar Company and Romech in Red Oak, Iowa.
Ellen loved being with family and a big hobby was recording family genealogy. She also had a great love for gardening and she canned garden produce for several years. Also, flowers and yard art was a fun hobby of hers. She loved taking pictures and drove family crazy at times, but they all were good at takin a bit of time for pictures.
She is survived by her husband; her children Wendy Moyer, husband Doug of Diamond City, Arkansas, James Houser Jr., wife Carolyn of Kingman, Arizona, and Johnny Houser of Villisca, Iowa; seven grandchildren, Britni gross, husband Bryan of Red Oak, Iowa, Kaile Neal, husband Chet of Orient, Iowa, Johnny Lee Houser of West Allis Wisconsin, Brandon Houser, partner Lauren Swain of Papillion, Nebraska, Jesse Houser, partner Reily Hiles of Omaha, Nebraska, and Grace and Scout Houser of Villisca, Iowa; six great-grandchildren Brantley and Dixie Woods, Lucas Gross, Cash Hardy, Elouise Houser and Colter Neal; two sisters Mary Buchta of Boise, Idaho and June Carnes of Shenandoah, Iowa.
She is preceded in death by her parents; mother-in-law Helen Louise (Davis) Houser of Shenandoah, Iowa; father-in-law Theodore Houser of Coburg, Iowa; grandparents John and Roxie (Trail) Driskell and Fred and Edith (Hill) Kelly.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, November 4, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at the Carter Funeral Home Chapel in Thayer, Missouri.
Interment will be on Monday, November 4, 2024, in Thayer Cemetery, Thayer, Missouri with services under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Inc. in Thayer, Missouri.