West Plains

West Plains Funeral Home

Roy Dale Sims

Carter Funeral Home Obituaries, Thayer, West Plains 10

Roy Dale Sims of West Plains, Missouri was born May 29, 1958, in Hayti, Missouri to Roy Thomas Sims and Lillian Savage Sims. He departed this life January 26, 2026, in Thayer, Missouri at the age of 67 years. Roy was united in marriage to Michelle Ward September 15, 2007.

He is survived by his wife Michelle of 18 years; four children and five bonus children Benjamin (Robyn) Sims, Anita (Ryan) Dickson, Pamela (Cody) Garner, Thomas Sims, Brett (Kimberly) Wilcox, Amber (Danny) Gibson, Blaire and Logan, Damon Bowling, and Jessica Rudd; twenty-one grandchildren Dylan and Sydney Sims, Michael (Megan) James, Emma James, Morgan (Darius) Parks, Colten (Hannah) Garner, Austin Garner, Haley, Alena, Keyton, Tommy and Allison Sims, Connor, Wednesday and Ellanor Wilcox, Adalyn and Gracelyn Gibson, Alexis and MacKenzie Bowling, Samantha (Zach) Roller, and Maddison (Alec) Shrable; six great grandchildren Charlotte and Ella James, Kamari Morgan, Kaiden Martin, Dean Roller, and Braylee Shrable; four sisters Gletta Clark, Hope (Danny) Seibert, Pamela (Darrell) Wade, Angela Godwin, Father-in-law Bobby Ward, two brothers-in-law Clint Ward, and Jimmy (Ashley) Ward.

He was preceded in death by his parents Roy and Lillian Sims, mother-in-law Shirley Ward, one infant sister, two brothers-in-law Ron Clark and Brent Godwin, and one granddaughter Lillian Grace Sims.

Today we say goodbye to a man who didn’t just live in our community, but helped build it, protect it, and believed in it with his whole heart.

Roy Sims dedicated his life to service. During his years in the fire service, he not only answered the call when his neighbors were in need but also carried a deep passion for helping others and keeping his community safe. Even after retiring from the West Plains Fire Department as Fire Chief, that commitment never slowed.

When Roy purchased Cover Lumber Co. in 2023, he continued serving in the way only he could. He provided more than lumber and supplies; he offered wisdom, encouragement, and a steady presence. He was someone you could count on, a familiar face, a trusted voice, and a man who genuinely cared about the people he served.

Roy believed in putting people first. He loved this community fiercely and worked tirelessly to make it stronger, safer, and better for future generations. His leadership, persistence, and quiet strength left an imprint that will not fade.

If you ever shook his hand, worked alongside him, or simply crossed paths with him, you felt it. Roy cared, and he proved it through his actions every single day.

Roy was a faithful member of the United Freewill Baptist Church of West Plains where he exemplified the church values to “Love God, Love People, Serve God, Serve People”.

Our community has lost a true pillar, but Roy Sims’ legacy lives on in the lives he touched, the places he helped build, and the community he gave so much of himself to.

Rest easy, papa Roy and thank you for everything.

Memorial donations can be made to the

Untied Free Will Baptist Church

Attention Building Fund

607 Lanton Rd, West Plains, MO 65775

or left with the funeral home

Officiating will be Brother Dennis McGinley and pallbearers will be Tim Bean, Kurt Willbanks, Raymond Blake, Dylan Sims, Michael James, Austin Garner, and Keyton Sims. Graveside officiating will be Brother Jason Jackson.

A Visitation will be held on Saturday, January 31, 2026, from 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. until the time of the Funeral Service at the Thayer High School Gymnasium of Thayer, Missouri. Burial will be Saturday. January 31, 2026, at the Eagles Rest Cemetery of Arkansas.

GPS address of cemetery is : 1445 AR -175, Hardy, AR, 72542 per FIND A GRAVE ~ It is next to the Christian Tabernacle Church of Hardy.

Arrangements under the care of Carter Funeral Home Inc. – Thayer, Mo

Ruth Thompson

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Ruth Barnett Thompson, 95, West Plains, Missouri was born May 9, 1930 in Tulsa, Oklahoma to the late Cecil Brashear and Lela Day Brashear. She entered into eternal rest on January 14, 2026 at Cedarhurst Senior Living in West Plains, Missouri.

On June 19, 1947 she was married to Reverend James Barnett in Brandsville, Missouri, who preceded her in death July 10, 2001. On August 18, 2013 she married Everett Boyd Thompson.
She is survived by her husband, Everett Boyd Thompson, West Plains, Missouri; five children, Leona Losurdo, Mammoth Spring, Arkansas, Ed Barnett and wife Sue, Mammoth Spring, Arkansas, Joy Collins and husband Stan, Couch, Missouri, Ronnie Barnett and wife Jo, Doniphan, Missouri, and Brenda Barnett, Spring River, Arkansas and several beloved step children; six grandchildren, Layle Carter and wife Gina, Bristow, Oklahoma, Greg Collins and wife Jessica, West Plains, Missouri, Brian Carter and wife Nicole, Ecru, Mississippi, Stacey Barnett, Mammoth Spring, Arkansas, Jeff Collins and Stephanie, Couch, Missouri, and Rodney Barnett, Doniphan, Missouri; ten grandchildren and several beloved step grandchildren, and four great great grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents; her first husband; five brothers and four sisters.

She was married to Reverend James E. Barnett for fifty three years, serving by his side. She was a loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and great great grandmother, and will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Funeral services for Ruth Thompson will be Sunday, January 18, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. at Carter Funeral Home Chapel, West Plains, Missouri.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, January 18, 2026 from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m.

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

Jerry L. Warren

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Jerry L. Warren was born November 4, 1942 in Myrtle, Missouri to the late Fred Francis Warren and Meda Mae “Risner” Warren. He passed away January 11, 2026 at West Vue Nursing Center in West Plains, Missouri.

On July 17, 1960 in Thayer, Missouri he was married to Mary Blackmon.

He is survived by his wife, Mary, Pomona, Missouri; one daughter, Mary Shrubb and husband Brian, West Plains, Missouri; two sons, Keith Warren, Pomona, Missouri and Scott Warren and wife Jamie, Willow Springs, Missouri; one sister Lida Wallace, Collinsville, Oklahoma; many, many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Meda Warren; two brothers, Fred Warren and Jack Warren.

He was an avid outdoorsman. He loved hunting and fishing, and loved to ride horses. He also enjoyed farming and gardening. All of his excess veggies he donated to the Senior Housing in West Plains, Missouri. He was a big sports fan, and also a licensed pilot; he also served on the Junction Hill School board. He loved spending time with his family. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association and can be left at the funeral home.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, January 14, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. at Carter Funeral Home Chapel, West Plains, Missouri.

There will be a visitation time also on Wednesday, January 14, 2026 from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m.

Burial will be in Howell Memorial Park Cemetery, Howell County, Missouri.

Audrey Bauer

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Audrey May Bauer (née Rueter), age 98, passed away peacefully at home on January 4, 2026, with family and a close friend by her side. She lived a long life marked by dedication to her family, community, and faith.

Audrey was born on June 2, 1927 in St. Louis to Andrew and Marie Rueter (née Kroell). She was united in marriage to Edwin Bauer in 1961 and together they raised 3 amazing children. Audrey and Edwin moved to a small farm outside Willow Springs in the 70s and then to West Plains in the early 90s.

Audrey loved to drive, and was able to make a living doing what she enjoyed. She worked as a school bus driver for St. Mary’s Catholic School and later as a driver for SMTS and Ozark Independent Living. She finished her long driving career delivering dry cleaning for Murrell’s Cleaners. Her work reflected her strong sense of responsibility and connection to the people she served.

She was a member of Sacred Heart in Willow Springs and then St. Mary’s Catholic Church in West Plains, Audrey found strength and purpose in her faith. Her church community remained an important part of her life.

She had a particular fondness for horses and continued riding into her late 70s. She enjoyed being outdoors, spending time with her family, especially the babies, and running around town with her bestie Laurie.

Audrey is survived by her daughter Karen Bauer (Mary) of Maine; son Tim Bauer of Springfield; daughter Terre Farris (Vince) of West Plains; grandchildren Melissa Bentley (Jason), Jimmy Murrell (Katy), Ben Murrell (Lexi) Kialy Boone (Nathan), Kevin Farris, Rosalind Sherman (Matt), and Helen Gray-Bauer (Matt); great-grandchildren Jessi (Ty), Blaine, Beck, Gabe, and Emmy; great-great-grandchildren Tommie, Sunnie, Siggy, and Lainey; nephew Rick Rueter (Deb) of Colorado; niece Lynn Hoffman (Steve) of St. Louis; and longtime friend Laurie Davidson.

She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, sister Dorothie Modglin (Wilbur), brother Larry Rueter (Jenny), and niece Mary Jines.

A Celebration of Life will be held on January 17, 2026, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM at Genesis Church, 4945 US 160.

May Audrey’s memory bring comfort to all who knew and loved her.

Paul Montgomery

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Paul Medford Montgomery passed away peacefully into the arms of his Savior on January 10, 2026, at 87 years old. He was born October 22, 1938, to parents Claude and Vida Montgomery at their family farmhouse in West Plains, Missouri, where he grew up with siblings Betty, Clifford, David, and Patty.

He met and then married his late wife, Anita, at Victoria Mission Church on October 24, 1959, and they had 40 beautiful years of marriage together. Following in the legacy of his father, Paul was called to ministry and became an ordained pastor and evangelist under the Church of God and Assemblies of God denominations. He and Anita traveled together, singing and preaching at revivals across the country, and pastored local churches in Kentucky, Arizona, and Missouri. With their two children, Paula and Shaun, they had a gospel group called the Singing Montgomerys who ministered at churches and revivals.

When he retired from full-time ministry, Paul opened Cactus Boot Repair, having trained at the West Plains shoe factory in his earlier years. He specialized in leatherwork, including boots, saddles, and purses. While in Tucson, Arizona, he even made a pair of knee-high boots that were worn in The Gambler: The Adventure Continues (starring Kenny Rogers), which was filmed in Old Tucson.

Paul was an army veteran and, in his later years, served in the West Plains Honor Guard.

In June 2000, he married his wife, Thelma, adding adult children and grandchildren to his family. Together, Paul and Thelma enjoyed traveling to Branson and running their business, Montgomery DJ Services, providing music for local weddings, parties, and Elvis impersonator shows. They had over 25 sweet years of adventures and travels together.

Paul never met a stranger and loved talking to people. His phone was always ringing with friends and customers alike, and he’d answer, “Yello!” If he wasn’t fixing boots at his in-home shop or serving at church, he was probably having a sundae at Dairy Queen.

He attended Victoria Mission Church, where he was the associate pastor and played drums for worship (always wearing a western shirt and cowboy boots, of course!). In all, Paul served over 56 years in ministry. He loved the Lord with all his heart and served Him his whole life.

He is survived by his wife (Thelma Willard Montgomery), his children (Paula Tellefsen and Shaun Montgomery), his brother (David Montgomery), his grandchildren (Shea French and Paul Tellefsen), his extended Willard family (son Eugene Willard and grandchildren Blake Willard, Kyle Willard, and Timber Adams), and many beloved great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

Funeral services will be held 10:00am, Monday, January 12, 2026, at the Carter Funeral Home Chapel in West Plains, Missouri.

Visitation will be 6-7pm, Sunday, January 11, 2026, at the funeral home.

Burial will be at Elk Creek Cemetery, under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Inc., West Plains, Missouri.

Bruce Hathcock

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Bruce Hatchcock, 63, Fredericktown, Missouri passed away December 30, 2025 in Claru Deville Nursing Home in Fredericktown, Missouri.

Bruce was born the son of Archie B. and Edna May Hathcock on December 26, 1962 in Davenport, Iowa.

He was preceded in death by his parents and several siblings.

A graveside service will be held on Tuesday, January 6, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. at Oak Lawn Cemetery in West Plains, Missouri, under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Inc., West Plains, Missouri.

Mildred Young

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Mildred Young was born July 23, 1936, in LaCenter, Kentucky to the late Andrew and Janie McDaniel, and died December 23, 2025 at her family home.

Mildred was married to AE Young at Dumas, Arkansas in 1952.

She is survived by four sons, Gene (Millie) Young of Iuka, Mississippi, Dale Young (Melanie) of Lanton, Missouri, one daughter-in-law, Annie Young of West Plains, Missouri, Raymond Young (Connie) of Davenport, Iowa, Larry Young of West Plains, Missouri, Cheryl Chapman of Pomona, Missouri, and Paula (Gary) King of Willow Springs, Missouri; fourteen grandchildren; twenty-one great grandchildren; eight great great grandchildren, and a host of friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, AE Young; two sisters; one brother, and one son, Rodger Young.

Mildred was a good Christian woman who faithfully served and cared for her family, friends, neighbors, and church family. She worked the family farm and was a homemaker all her life. She was an avid reader, enjoyed sewing and quilting, and traveling to many places in her later years. She made many quilts, dresses, and baby blankets for her loved ones.

The family would like to give a special thank you to the Hospice Compassus Care for their support. Special recognition to Roberta, Austin, and Kat for their exceptional care.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, December 27, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. at Carter Funeral Home Chapel in West Plains, Missouri.

Visitation will be held on Friday evening, December 26, 2025 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. also at the Carter Funeral Home Chapel, West Plains, Missouri.

Burial will be held at Elk Creek Cemetery, Howell County, Missouri, under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Inc., West Plains, Missouri.

Irmgard B. Nicks

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Irmgard B. Nicks, 82, daughter of the late Max Strehle and Irma Strehle passed away December 15, 2025 at Willow Springs Health Care, Willow Springs, Missouri.

She was born March 1, 1943 in Jettingen, Germany.

She married Thurman Patrick Nicks February 8, 1975 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

She is survived by her husband, Thurman Patrick Nicks; two adopted boys, Lloyd L. Nicks, Burbank, California and Patrick D. J. Nicks, state of Michigan, and one daughter, Rebecca Nicks and husband John, Fayetteville, Arkansas, and two grandchildren, Ethan Nicks and Shawn Nicks, Fayetteville, Arkansas.

Irmgard was a nurse for several years. She loved to cook for everyone. She will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, December 23, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. at Carter Funeral Home Chapel, West Plains, Missouri.

Burial will be at Free Union Cemetery, Howell County, Missouri, under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Inc., West Plains, Missouri.

Marshall Vincent Shanks

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Marshall Vincent (Vince) Shanks was born May 24, 1945 in Zanoni, Missouri to the late Rufus Shanks and Ova (Elliott) Shanks. He entered into eternal rest December 11, 2025 at his home in West Plains, Missouri.

In August 2008 Vince was saved and he lived all his years after serving the Lord. He always wanted his light to shine. Testimony time at church was one of his favorite times.

On April 18, 2020 he married Marie Sahlmann.

Survivors include his wife, Marie Shanks of the family home; his children, Dan (Stacey) Shanks of Pleasant City, Ohio and Christy (Kim) Reid of Peace Valley, Missouri; his stepchildren, Charles Howerton, Steven (Holly) Lane, Emma (Dane) Weise, and Scotty (Bre) Lane.

He was the proud grandpa of Adrian, Jesalyn, Mariah, Zach, Aaliyah, and Olivia. His love for them was impeccable. He had other grandchildren, great-grands, and great-great grands that he was very proud of and loved very much. He never considered grands as steps.

He is also survived by one sister, Mary Spinhirne, who lives in Black Canyon, Arizona, and one dear brother-in-law, Butch Anderson, Frankfort Springs, Pennsylvania.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Rufus Shanks, and Ova and Bill Conrad; his sisters, Pauline and Lorene, and brother, Fuzzy; his son Marshall. He was also preceded in death by his kid’s mom, Judith.

He proudly served his country in the United States Army, 82nd Airborne as a paratrooper. He was very proud and honored to be a veteran.

A Celebration of Life will be held December 16, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. at the Victory Chapel Church in Peace Valley, Missouri.

Nancy Kathryn Morris

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Nancy Kathryn Morris, daughter of Donnie Leon Morris and Elga Pauline Harrison Morris, was born at home in the house her daddy built in West Plains, Missouri, on February 17, 1954. Her soul left her earthly home on December 8, 2025, at the age of 71 years, 9 months, and 21 days.

Kathryn’s greatest joy in life was her family. She is survived by her daughter, Sara Kay Mattes and husband Matthew of Nevada, Missouri; her granddaughter Katelyn Jean Morris of Kaiserslautern, Germany; and her grandsons Matthew Kohl Mattes and wife Megan of Austin, Texas, and Kyle William Mattes of Layton, Utah.

She is also survived by her beloved siblings: Anita & James Collins, John & Freda Morris, Donna & Randy Spencer, and David & Paula Morris. Kathryn loved her 14 nieces and nephews as if they were her own, and she cherished their children and grandchildren, celebrating birthdays, cheering milestones, and following each one closely on Facebook.

She was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents Joe & Delia Harrison; paternal grandparents Wilphard & Ruea Morris; her parents Donnie & Pauline Morris; her older sister Norma Jean Morris; her granddaughter Allison Ann Pauline Mattes; and many dear aunts, uncles, and cousins whom she loved throughout her life.

A Christian of the Baptist faith, Kathryn graduated high school in 1972 and later attended Draughon’s Practical Business College and Missouri State University. She retired from the State of Missouri in 2016 after 22 years of dedicated service. In retirement, she discovered talents she didn’t know she had—creating beautiful watercolor and acrylic paintings, crocheting, and embracing new hobbies with joy.

Kathryn loved NASCAR, bird-watching (naming each feathered visitor one by one), and baseball—especially her beloved St. Louis Cardinals. She treasured watching her grandchildren play sports and supporting her great-nephews and nieces in theirs. Her faithful kitty, Tobie Grace, will rest with her forever, as her ashes will be placed by Kathryn’s side.

Above all, Kathryn will be remembered for her gentle spirit, her deep devotion to family, and the love she freely gave to everyone blessed to know her.

Funeral services will be held on Sunday, December 14, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. at Carter Funeral Home Chapel, West Plains, Missouri.

Private burial will be in Huddleston Cemetery, Oregon County, Missouri, under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Inc., West Plains, Missouri.