Thayer

Gardner C. Cox was born the son of Fred Cox and Annie Brazeal Cox on December 10, 1917 in Thayer, Missouri and departed this life February 12, 2012 in Salem, Arkansas at the age of 94 years.

He was united in marriage February 7, 1939 in Thayer, Missouri to Hallie Marie Arnold, who preceded him in death on May 31, 1988.

He is survived by one son, Dennis Cox and wife, Gloria of Springfield, Missouri; one daughter-in-law, Martha Cox of Mammoth Spring, Arkansas; seven grandchildren, Joe L. Cox and wife, Kim of Mammoth Spring, Arkansas, Robert Cox and wife, Timber of Mammoth Spring, Arkansas, Jana Barton of West Plains, Missouri, Andy Perry of Springfield, Missouri, Cindy Ingwerson and husband, Tim of Springfield, Missouri, Darren McGoldrick and wife, Cindy of Branson, Missouri and Dennis Clayton Cox and wife, Brandi of Springfield, Missouri; eleven great grandchildren; ten great great grandchildren; one sister, Vitress Cantrell of Anchorage, Alaska; several nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; one son, Joe E. Cox; two brothers, Paul and David Cox and three sisters, Verla Stanley, Lura Evans and Ruth Aggans.

Mr. Cox was a Veteran, proudly serving his country in the United States Army during World War II. He was a Military Policeman, a Sharpshooter and received the World War II Victory Ribbon.

Gardner will be remembered as the owner and operator of Cox Chevrolet Dealership in Mammoth Spring, Arkansas from 1961 until 1971. While in this business, he made many lasting friends, which he cherished for a lifetime.

He was a member of the Thayer First Baptist Church, a devoted father, grandfather and a loyal friend. He will truly be missed by all.

Graveside services will be Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. at the Arytown/Pleasant Hill Cemetery east of Thayer with Reverend Gerald Bounds officiating. The body will lie in state at the Carter Funeral Home Chapel in Thayer until time of the service. Burial will be in the Arytown/Pleasant Hill Cemetery with services under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Inc. in Thayer.

Mary Wilma Cantrell

Mary “Wilma” Cantrell was born the daughter of William Clayton York and Laverne Pettie York on December 23, 1935 in Sarah, Mississippi and departed this life February 6, 2012 at St. Bernard’s Medical Center in Jonesboro, Arkansas at the age of 76 years.

She was united in marriage in Kansas City, Missouri to Robert “Mutt” Cantrell, who preceded her in death on April 15, 2003.

She is survived by her first cousin, Jane Abbott of South Haven, Mississippi; one step-son, Robert Cantrell of Harrisonville, Missouri: and a host of nieces, nephews, step-grandchildren, great-nieces, great-nephews, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Laverne York; her husband, Mutt Cantrell; two brothers, Joe Edward York and William Clayton York, Jr. and one aunt, Lenora Westmoreland.

Wilma was a long-time resident and made her home in Thayer, Missouri. She was a homemaker who enjoyed crafting and sewing and a member of the Jeff Church of Christ.

She will be remembered as kind and caring, a loving friend and neighbor and will truly be missed by all.

Funeral services will be Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 1:00 PM at the Jeff Church of Christ with Erman Croney officiating. The family will receive friends Saturday from 11:00 AM until 1:00 PM at the Jeff Church. Burial will be in the Jeff Cemetery with services under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Inc. in Thayer.

Michael James Lasseter, age 56, of Cherokee Village, Arkansas, died at 7:50 AM Saturday, February 4, 2012 at Ozarks Medical Center in West Plains, Missouri.  Local arrangements under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Inc. in Thayer.

Helen Leona Mainprize Rhoades was born the daughter of George B. Mainprize and Leona Waller Mainprize on September 4, 1912 in Thayer, Missouri and departed this life January 28, 2012 at Wolfeboro Bay Rehab & Care Center in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire at the age of 99 years.

She was united in marriage October 14, 1933 in West Plains, Missouri to Noah Rhoades, who preceded her in death March 22, 1971.

Helen is survived by one daughter, Barbara Rhoades of Wakefield, New Hampshire, and one son, Robert Rhoades of Brookfield, New Hampshire, other relatives and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, George and Leona Mainprize, husband, Noah Rhoades and two brothers, Howard and Othel Mainprize.

Mrs. Rhoades was a graduate of Thayer High School. She earned her Associate Degree at Springfield College and continued in the education field, teaching in a one-room school for several years. During her teaching career, she taught in both Missouri and Pennsylvania schools.

She was of the Methodist faith and will be remembered as a dedicated homemaker, a devoted wife and mother.

Josephine Reeves was born the daughter of Jesse Marion Grooms and Ella Blankenship Grooms on April 9, 1921 at Alton, Missouri and departed this life January 30, 2012 at Shady Oaks Health Care in Thayer, Missouri at the age of 90 years.

She was united in marriage on December 31, 1948 at St. Louis, Missouri to Junior Eugene Reeves, who preceded her in death on April 22, 2009.

She is survived by one sister, Jessie Mae McGhee of Glendora, California; two nieces, Suzanne Grooms Spears of Pawnee, Oklahoma and Brenda Jo Briscoe of Houston, Texas; three great nieces; three great nephews; other relatives and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Jesse and Ella Grooms; her husband, Junior Reeves; four brothers, Grover, Graden, Gordon and Charlie Grooms and a niece, Debbie McGhee Meuser.

Josephine was a bookkeeper for Edison Brothers Shoe Company in St. Louis, Missouri for many years.

Mrs. Reeves was a faithful and active member of the Norman Free Will Baptist Church.

She was a dedicated homemaker, a devoted wife and loving sister and aunt. She will truly be missed by all who knew and loved her.

Graveside services will be Saturday, February 4, 2012 at 11:00 AM at the Norman Cemetery with Brother Wayne Adrian officiating. The family will receive friends Saturday from 9:00 to 10:30 AM at the Carter Funeral Home Chapel in Thayer. Burial will be in the Norman Cemetery with services under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Inc. in Thayer.

Ollie Jo Friel was born the daughter of Joseph Oliver Cheek and Arlie Creasy Cheek on February 6, 1934, in Wardell, Missouri and departed this life on January 26, 2012, in Ash Flat, Arkansas at the age of 77 years.

She was united in marriage in Pickett, Arkansas, June 5, 1948 to Wilford Noel Friel, who preceded her in death on November 17, 1993.

She is survived by four children, Judy Hester of Cherokee Village, Arkansas; Janet Moore and husband Ken of Thayer, Missouri; Tammy Gillmore and husband John of Charlotte, Arkansas; and Joe Friel of Mammoth Spring, Arkansas; eleven grandchildren; sixteen great-grandchildren; one brother Robert Creasy and wife Wilma of St. Louis, Illinois; one sister Dollie Friel and husband James of Virginia; several nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents Joseph and Arlie Cheek, her husband Wilford Friel, and four sisters Louella Downing, Mendora Turner, Betty Brent, Mary Jane Cheek, and Odelle Leatherwood.

Mrs. Friel was a faithful member of the Chapel Hill Church in Thayer, Missouri, attending as long as health permitted.

Mrs. Friel will be remembered as a devoted and loving mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She will truly be missed by all who knew and loved her.

Funeral services will be Saturday January 28, 2012 at 2:00pm in the Carter Funeral Home Chapel at Thayer. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Saturday from 1:00pm until time of service. Burial will be in the Thayer cemetery.

Gilbert Albert Deckard was born the son of Ervon L. Deckard and Nancy E. Wiggs Deckard on May 16, 1918 in Alton, Missouri and departed this life January 21, 2012 at Shepherd’s View Assisted Living in Alton, Missouri at the age of 93 years.  

Gilbert Albert Deckard was born the son of Ervon L. Deckard and Nancy E. Wiggs Deckard on May 16, 1918 in Alton, Missouri and departed this life January 21, 2012 at Shepherd’s View Assisted Living in Alton, Missouri at the age of 93 years.

He was united in marriage on August 5, 1939 in Thayer, Missouri to Notra Combs, who preceded him in death on July 8, 2008.

He is survived by one son, Russell Deckard and wife, Cathy of Thayer, Missouri; three grandsons, Keith Deckard and wife, Kari of Hillsboro, Missouri, Matthew Deckard and wife, Halie of Turbeville, South Carolina and Anthony Deckard of Branson, Missouri; two great grandsons, Logen Thomas Deckard and Landen Russell Deckard, both of Hillsboro, Missouri; one sister-in-law, Vida Combs of West Plains, Missouri; special cousin, Hazel Austin of Harrisburg, Arkansas; several nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ervon and Nancy Deckard; his wife, Notra Deckard; one grandson, Russ Deckard and two brothers, Ralph and Corwin Deckard.

Mr. Deckard was a decorated Veteran of the United States Army. He proudly served his country during World War II, where he received numerous awards and medals, including two Bronze Stars and the Good Conduct Medal while serving in New Guinea and the South Philippines.

Mr. Deckard was a member of the Midway Pentecostal Church and faithfully attended when health permitted.

Gilbert was employed by MoDot, retiring after many years of service. He enjoyed farming, gardening, a good practical joke and most of all, being with his family.

He will be remembered as a kind and caring man, a loving husband, father, grandfather, friend and neighbor and will truly be missed by all.

Funeral services will be Tuesday, January 24, 2012 at 11:00 AM in the Carter Funeral Home Chapel at Thayer with Brother Charles Barnett and Matthew Deckard officiating. The family will receive friends Monday, January 23 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.

Charles Newton Kendall was born the son of Amos Newton Kendall and Willie Francis Ingram Kendall on December 23, 1914 in Obion County, Tennessee and departed this life on January 10, 2012 in Pocahontas, Arkansas at the age of 97 years.

He was united in marriage August 17, 1940 in West Memphis, Arkansas to Velma E. Stegall, who preceded him in death on March 11, 2000.

He is survived by three children, Philip Kendall and wife, Gilda of Woodstock, Georgia, Paul Kendall and wife, Kathy of Pocahontas, Arkansas and Dian Kendall Strange and husband, John of Chattanooga, Tennessee; one daughter-in-law, Carolyn Kendall of Glenside, Pennsylvania; ten grandchildren; thirteen great grandchildren; two sisters, Mildred Schoue of St. Ann, Missouri and Mary Ann Morgan of East Prairie, Missouri; several nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Amos and Willie Kendall; his wife, Velma Kendall; one son, Daythal Kendall; one grandson, Dale Kendall; one brother, Joe Kendall and two sisters, Sara Nall and Martha Kendall.

Charles was employed for 27 years as a cupelo tender in combine manufacturing for International Harvester in Memphis, Tennessee, retiring in December of 1974. He enjoyed the outdoors and working on his farm.

He attended the Old Town Church of God in Thayer, Missouri, was a kind and caring father and grandfather and a friend to all. He will truly be missed.

Memorial services for Mr. Kendall will be held at a later date with local arrangements under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Inc. in Thayer, Missouri.

Mary Cecilia DeVaul was born March 25, 1952 in Kansas City, Missouri and departed this life on December 20, 2011 at her children’s home in Thayer, Missouri, at the age of 59 years.

She is survived by her son, Lee Kester and wife, Teresa of Thayer, Missouri and their family, Dustin, Tasha and Macy Reeves of Gatewood, Missouri; Adam Combs and Amy Rodiger of Springfield, Missouri and Jesse Critten of Bandara, Texas; one brother, John DeVaul and wife, Naomi of Kansas City, Missouri; two brothers-in-law, Don Miller and George Thornton, both of Kansas City, Missouri; one sister-in-law, Judy Nesbit of Kansas City, Missouri; twelve nieces and nephews and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Clara Pauline (Morgan) DeVaul; two sisters, Judy Thornton and Yvonne Miller and one brother, Larry Nesbit.

Mary had a special love for the Kenneth Copeland Ministries and the armed forces. Throughout her life, she was always surrounded by her animals. Some of her favorites in her life were Princess, Pinocchio, Rebel, Sugar and her devoted nurse until her death, Mack.

Although she sometimes tried to hide her true feelings, her heart of gold would always shine through. Her pride in life rested in her son. She was truly devoted to him and his well being. Her antics, her smile and her laughter will be missed by many as she rests in the arms of the Lord.

Funeral services will be Thursday, December 22, 2011 at 10:00 AM in the Carter Funeral Home Chapel at Thayer, Missouri with Erman Croney officiating. The family will receive friends Wednesday, December 21^st from 7:00 to 9:00 PM at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Thayer Cemetery with services under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Inc. in Thayer.