Thelma Modena (Prewitt) Smotherman was born the daughter of Ivens Perry and Mary Modena (James) Prewitt on March 8, 1926 at Ravenden, Arkansas, and departed this life November 9, 2012, at the home of her daughter in Corpus Christi, Texas, at the age of 86 years.
She was united in marriage December 27, 1946 at Mammoth Spring, Arkansas to Andrew Jack Bowers, who preceded her in death October 24, 1964. To this union one daughter, Sherry Lynne, was born. She was united in marriage June 6, 1969 at West Plains, Missouri to Max Smotherman, who preceded her in death November 20, 1980.
She is survived by her daughter, Sherry Lynne Davis and husband, Curtis of Corpus Christi, Texas; two grandchildren, Christa Cox of Cape Girardeau, Missouri and Justin Cox of Richmond, Virginia; two sisters, Iva Chloe Porter of Mansfield, Missouri and Mary Lou Osterbuhr of Thayer, Missouri; one sister-in-law, Dorothy Prewitt of Ellisville, Missouri; several nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husbands; three brothers, Perry, Elmer and Albert Prewitt and three sisters, Ethel Busch, Bertha Johnson, and Edith Brown.
During World War II, in order to support the troops and serve her country, Thelma moved to St. Louis to work at the Civil Defense Plant. After returning to Thayer, she began working as a seamstress for Puritan Fashions in Thayer, Missouri. Later, she worked at the Dinner Bell Restaurant, where she enjoyed serving and visiting with her friends and neighbors and then worked downtown for several years at Forschler Department Store. During the 1970’s, she and her husband, Max owned and operated Able Tire Shop in Ava, Missouri.
Mrs. Smotherman was a member of the Church of Christ at Mammoth Spring, Arkansas. She will be remembered as a dedicated homemaker, loving and devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She will truly be missed by all who knew and loved her.
Funeral services for Mrs. Smotherman will be Wednesday, November 14, 2012 at 2:00 PM in the Carter Funeral Home Chapel at Thayer, Missouri with Erman Croney officiating and burial in Thayer Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made, in memory of Thelma, to Paragould Children’s Home and may be left at the Funeral Home.
Ila Elizabeth (Langle) Pingleton was born May 22, 1929, the daughter of Grover and Eliza Jane (Mask) Langle at Salem, Arkansas, and departed this life November 6, 2012 at West Vue Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in West Plains, Missouri at the age of 83 years.
She was united in marriage on September 3, 1948 to Lonnis Noel Pingleton, who preceded her in death on December 15, 2004.
She is survived by one son, Jackie Hooper and wife, Linda of Memphis, Tennessee; one granddaughter, Shelly Bradshaw and husband, Paul of West Plains, Missouri; one grandson, Michael Hooper and wife, Nicole of West Plains; two great grandchildren, Paul Michael and Avery Grace Bradshaw, both of West Plains; two brothers, Cleo Langle and wife, Mary Alice of Dallas, Texas, and Theodore Langle of Springfield, Missouri; one sister, Alita Todd of Mammoth Spring, Arkansas; several nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Grover and Eliza Jane Langle; her husband, Noel Pingleton; one son, Michael Pingleton; four brothers, Clarence, Bernie, Fred and John Langle; two sisters, Nancy May Reagan and Audrey May Birch.
Ila was a dedicated homemaker and enjoyed cooking for her family, working in her vegetable garden, and most of all, spending time with her children and grandchildren.
She was a Christian lady and a member of the Deeper Life Pentecostal Church in West Plains, Missouri. She will be remembered as a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother; always putting her family before herself. She will be missed by her family, friends, and all who knew and loved her.
Funeral services for Mrs. Pingleton will be Friday, November 9, 2012 at 10:00 AM at Carter Funeral Home Chapel in Thayer, Missouri.
The family will receive friends at the Funeral Home ,Thursday November 8, 2012 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM.
Burial will be in the Davis Cemetery east of Thayer with services under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Inc. in Thayer.
Neomia Faye (Lawson) Vaughn was born April 6, 1924, the daughter of Wiley and Maggie Margaret (Dill) Lawson at Kittel, Arkansas, and departed this life November 5, 2012 at West Vue Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in West Plains, Missouri at the age of 88 years.
She was united in marriage on December 20, 1941 to Clyde William Hightower, who preceded her in death on July 11, 1965. She was united in marriage on July 31, 1967 to Robert Cecil Carpenter, who also preceded her in death on October 10, 1978. She was united in marriage on November 12, 1993 to Leyman Vaughn.
She is survived by one sister, Lorene Whitman of Pontiac, Michigan; one daughter, Phyllis Fowler of Bakersfield, California, as well as several nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Wiley and Maggie Lawson; two husbands, Clyde Hightower and Robert Carpenter; one son, Floyd Earl Hightower; three sisters, Novelle Lawson, Cleffie Goodman and Ollie Allen and one brother, Cody Lawson, Sr..
Neomia was a homemaker and spent much of her time reading and studying the Bible. She also enjoyed flower gardening or “diggin’ in the dirt,” as she called it.
She was of the Baptist faith and will be remembered as a wonderful and loving mother, aunt and friend. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her.
Funeral services for Ms. Vaughn will be Thursday, November 8, 2012 at 2:00 PM in the Carter Funeral Home Chapel in Thayer with Hoyt Pope officiating and burial in the Thayer Cemetery.
Ruby Louise (Edwards) Johnson was born February 13, 1927, the daughter of John Rollen and Alta (Nelson) Edwards at Lauratown, Arkansas, and departed this life October 26, 2012 at her home in West Plains, Missouri at the age of 85 years.
She was united in marriage on January 21, 1946 at Mammoth Spring, Arkansas to Evert Tilman Johnson.
She is survived by her husband, Evert of the home in West Plains, Missouri; two sons, Bill Johnson and wife, Vickie of West Plains and Joe Johnson and wife, Sue of Springfield, Missouri; one daughter, Denise Gum and husband, Pete of Rolla, Missouri; four grandchildren, Kimberly Wade and husband, Mike, Rebecca Simmons and husband, Lance, Janine Gum and Derek Gum; two great grandchildren, Rachel and Ryan Wade; one sister, Shirley Park of Springfield, Missouri; several nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Alta Edwards; two sisters, Ruth Way and Tressa Linson and three brothers, Tommy, Vernon, and Norman Edwards.
Ruby grew up in the Thayer area and will be remembered for her singing talent. She was a former member of Thayer Free Will Baptist Church where she sang and served as church treasurer for many years. She also sang with The Revelations gospel quartet and on the Thayer Radio Station gospel program along with Christine Case. After her husband’s retirement from Burlington Northern Railroad, they enjoyed traveling and spending time camping in their 5th wheel trailer.
Mrs. Johnson was currently a member of the United Free Will Baptist Church in West Plains, Missouri, still serving and worshiping. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and sister. She will be truly missed by her family, her church family and many friends.
Funeral services will be Monday, October 29, 2012 at 2:00 PM at Carter Funeral Home Chapel in Thayer, Missouri. The family will receive friends Sunday, October 28th from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Thayer Cemetery with services under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Inc. in Thayer.
Patsy Lorene (Hunsperger) Hightower was born the daughter of Norval Hunsperger and Dowan (Day) Hunsperger on January 19, 1944 in Koshkonong, Missouri and departed this life October 24, 2012 in Springfield, Missouri at the age of 68 years.
She was united in marriage May 22, 1964 in Mammoth Spring, Arkansas to Bobby Joe Hightower, who preceded her in death July 27, 2012.
She is survived by one sister, Hazel Johnson of Zebulon, Georgia; three brothers-in-law, John Sloan of Koshkonong, Missouri, Doyle Evans of Hardy, Arkansas and Gary Nickels of Mammoth Spring, Arkansas; one sister-in-law, Virginia Murphy and husband, Danny, of Center, Arkansas; two grandsons, Tyler and Trenton Johnston and one granddaughter, Miley Johnston, all of Thayer, Missouri; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Bobby Joe Hightower; her son, Kevin Hightower; her parents, Norval and Dowan Hunsperger; four sisters, Edith Sloan, Yvonne Johnston, Betty Evans and Iona Nickels; and three brothers, Jay Hunsperger, William Cowens and infant, Frankie Hunsperger.
She was a member of the Thayer Free Will Baptist Church and an Eastern Star member of the former Masonic Lodge No. 496 in Mammoth Spring, Arkansas.
Patsy was a retired Cosmetologist, owning and operating a Beauty Shop for many years.
She loved spending time with her grandkids; liked shopping with family and friends, especially for shoes; was an avid bowler; and enjoyed visiting and talking with friends on the phone or in person.
Patsy will be remembered for her pleasant personality and witty sense of humor. She was truly a great sister, loving grandmother, wonderful aunt and loyal friend. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her.
Funeral services will be Sunday, October 28, 2012 at 2:00 PM at Carter Funeral Home Chapel in Thayer.
The family will receive friends Saturday, October 27th from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the Funeral Home.
Burial will be in the Wayside Cemetery near Koshkonong.
Neva Helen James was born the daughter of Elijah Honeycutt and Pearl (Rose) Honeycutt in Randolph County, Arkansas in the Ring Community on January 26, 1925, and departed this life October 18, 2012 at the home of her daughter in Bono, Arkansas, at the age of 87 years.
She was united in marriage on October 30, 1943 at the home of L.E. Mahaffey in the Ring Community to Lehman Ray James, who preceded her in death November 9, 1984.
She is survived by five children, Linda Ezell and husband, Keith, of the Ring Community, Helen Baldridge and husband, Cameron, of Bono, Arkansas, Kerry Bush and husband, John, of Wichita, Kansas, Garreth James and wife, Norenda, of Jonesboro, Arkansas and Travis James of the Ring Community; ten grandchildren; seventeen great-grandchildren; one brother, Ben Honeycutt and wife, Joyce, of Jonesboro, Arkansas; two sisters, Mary Marriott of the Ring Community, and Ava White and husband, Charles, of Dickson, Tennessee; several nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Elijah and Pearl Honeycutt; her husband, Lehman James; four brothers, N.E. Honeycutt, Berry Honeycutt, Earl Honeycutt, and Harold Honeycutt and two sisters, Dorotha Honeycutt and Viola Honeycutt.
Neva was a dedicated homemaker and an excellent cook. She enjoyed quilting and was a great seamstress. Neva was Lehman’s right-hand on their family farm and continued caring for the farm and their cattle herd seven years after his death.
She was a faithful Christian lady and member of the Church of Christ at Jeff. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother and a loyal friend. She will truly be missed by all who knew and loved her and the community in which she lived.
Funeral services will be Sunday, October 21, 2012 at 2:00 PM in the Carter Funeral Home Chapel at Thayer, Missouri. Visitation will be Saturday, October 20 from 6 to 8 PM at the Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Taylor Cemetery at Ravenden, Arkansas with services under the direction of the Carter Funeral Home in Thayer.
Kristin Rebecca Phillips was born the daughter of John Arthur and Kathy (Singleton) Phillips on February 18, 1983 in Memphis, Tennessee and died October 14, 2012 at her home in Thayer, Missouri at the age of 29 years.
She is survived by her mother, Kathy Phillips of Mammoth Spring, Arkansas; her grandmother, Patti Kail of Somerville, Tennessee; two sisters, Sarah Johnson and husband, Aaron of Mammoth Spring, Arkansas, and Stephanie Phillips of Memphis, Tennessee; one brother, James Phillips of Mammoth Spring, Arkansas; one nephew, Matthew Johnson of Mammoth Spring, Arkansas; other relatives and many friends.
She was preceded in death by her father, John Arthur Phillips.
She was a wonderful and loving daughter, sister, aunt and friend and will truly be missed by all who knew and loved her.
Graveside services will be Saturday, October 20, 2012 at 10:00 AM at the Riverside Cemetery at Mammoth Spring, Arkansas
Thelma Melvina White Hull Kinney was born the daughter of Napoleon Edrington “Dock” and Nora Ethel (Bussell) White on November 24, 1919 in Anthony, Kansas, and departed this life October 16, 2012 at Shady Oaks Healthcare in Thayer, Missouri at the age of 92 years.
She was united in marriage on March 29, 1939 at Pomona, Missouri to Reverend G. M. Hull, who preceded her in death on July 17, 1973. She was united in marriage on October 6, 1979 at Mammoth Spring, Arkansas to Earl E. Kinney, who also preceded her in death in May of 2003.
She is survived by a daughter, Peggy Underwood of Thayer, Missouri; a son, Dan Hull and wife, Terri of Thayer; a daughter-in-law, Betty Hull of Nixa, Missouri; a son-in-law, Bob Underwood of Thayer; one granddaughter, Susan Dills and her husband, Joe of Thayer and their family, Savannah and Derrick Smith of Koshkonong, Missouri and Sarah and Cory Carey and daughter, Brooklyn of West Plains, Missouri; five grandsons, Mark Underwood and his wife, Missy of Thayer, Missouri and son, Mitchell; Tim Hull and his wife, Lori of Ft. Smith, Arkansas and sons, Matthew and his fiancé, Christina of Austin, Texas and Christian of Ft. Smith, Arkansas; Tony Hull and his wife, Carey of Nixa, Missouri and sons, Brayden and Brennyn; Todd Hull and his wife, Lagsana of Stafford, Virginia and daughters, Abigail and Amilynne; Toby Hull of Springfield, Missouri and daughter, Madison; a brother, Gene White and his wife, Betty of Sparta, Missouri; a sister, June Gentry of Joplin, Missouri; several step-children, step-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Dock and Nora (Bussell) White; her husbands, Rev. G. M. Hull and Earl Kinney; a son, Sam Hull; a grandson, Steven Underwood; three brothers, Harry, Leroy and Dean White and two sisters, Maureen Gentry and Betty Morgan.
She was a Christian lady with strong unwavering faith and truly loved her Lord. With that faith, she and Brother Hull built and established Faith Tabernacle in Camp, Arkansas. She was a homemaker, a mom and a very special “granny” and “granny great” to many and was loved by all.
Funeral services will be Saturday, October 20, 2012 at 2:00 PM at the Carter Funeral Home Chapel at Thayer, Missouri. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Friday, October 19, 2012 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. Burial will be in the Thayer Cemetery with services under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Inc. in Thayer.
Sidney Bowers Funk, Jr. was born the son of Sidney Bowers Funk, Sr. and Ruth (Raper) Funk on June 9, 1926 in Haskell, Arkansas and died October 14, 2012 at Shady Oaks Healthcare Center in Thayer, Missouri at the age of 86 years.
He was married October 21, 1948 at Jonesboro, Arkansas to Marcella Green, who preceded him in death June 13, 2012.
He is survived by one daughter, Peggy Lewis of Mammoth Spring, Arkansas; two sons, Richard Funk and wife, Sally of Muskogee, Oklahoma, and Jerry Funk and wife, Jeanie of Wagoner, Oklahoma; nine grandchildren, Ronnie, Donald, Shauna, Amanda, Jeffrey, Jessica, Malinda, Richard and Tammy; sixteen great-grandchildren, Sydney, Eric, Charlie, Kylea, Immajen, Jaicee, twins, Sam and Sophi, Pepper, Constance, Kayle, Ashlynn, Kristen, Erik, Megan and Madison; one sister, Polly Cashion and husband, Earnest of Tulsa Oklahoma; several other relatives and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Sidney and Ruth Funk; his wife, Marcella Funk; and three brothers, Burton, Ransford and Houston Funk.
Sidney was a fireman, retiring as an assistant Fire Chief for the Jonesboro Fire Department after 20 years of service.
Mr. Funk was a Veteran of the United States Navy, proudly serving his country during World War II. He was a member of the VFW Post 7831 and was a Mason. In his spare time, Sidney loved to fish and deer hunt.
He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather and will truly be missed by all who knew and loved him.
Memorial Services will be Tuesday, October 23, 2012 at 10:00 AM in the Carter Funeral Home Chapel at Thayer.
Graveside Services for Eleanor Williamson, age 95, of Covington, Louisiana, formerly of Thayer, will be Friday, October 12, 2012 at 10:00 AM in the Thayer Cemetery at Thayer, Missouri. Services are under the direction of Carter Funeral Home Inc. in Thayer.
