Funeral services for Darlene Marie Ralston, 84, West Plains, Missouri, will be 2:00pm Tuesday, October 4, 2016, at the Graveside, Cave Springs Cemetery, with the Brother Edward Casey officiating under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, West Plains.
She was born the daughter of the late Frank Davis and Fronia Bolton Davis, on September 5, 1932 in Alton, Missouri and died October 2, 2016 in West Plains, Missouri.
She was united in marriage August 14, 1948 in Alton, Missouri to Burton Ralston.
She is survived by two brothers, Phil Davis and wife Linda, West Plains, and Bob Davis, West Plains; one sister, Elsie Beck of West Plains, Missouri; one sister-in-law, Freida Davis, Alton, Missouri; special friends, Loretta Bradshaw and Nancy Fukasawa both of West Plains; several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Funeral services for Buddy (Bud) Gene Mayberry, 81, Pomona, Missouri, will be held Wednesday, October 5, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at the Carter Funeral Home Chapel, West Plains, with Reverend Steve Fowler officiating, under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, West Plains.
He was born the son of the late Herbert Mayberry and Carrie Bilyeu Mayberry, on September 22, 1935 in Mt. Vernon, Missouri and died October 1, 2016 in West Plains, Missouri.
He is survived by four children, Wayne (LeAnn) California, Missouri, Alesia (Steve) Billings, Montana, Anita (David) West Plains, Missouri, Shane (Anna) Willow Springs, Missouri; nine grandchildren, Heath (Vannessa) and Aaron of California, Missouri, Carrie, Zakariah, and Autumn of Billings, Montana, Mark (Ashley) Custer, Montana, and Dakota (Rachel), Ethan, and Samantha of Willow Springs; five great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.
It is not the number of years you live, but the quality of them. Sue Ellen Moore, born September 12, 1920 was one of the fortunate women to claim both a long and rich life. She was born to Plato and Eva Caroll in Crowell, Texas where she was raised with her three siblings on the cotton farm. She was educated in Needmore, Texas until the eleventh grade when she met the love of her life Ernest R. Moore.
Sue Ellen and Ernie raised two children, Gerald Moore of Junction City, Oregon and Sue Willard of West Plains, Missouri, while traveling from one job to the next ranging from Alaska to Cuba. After the children were raised, they settled for five years in Springhill, Tennessee where they were the superintendents of Springhill Children’s Home. She cherished this time with her husband, and the 175 children they served. She moved to Missouri in 1977, Ernie passing away only four years later.
The last forty years she has shared a driveway with her daughter Sue and her husband Dennis Willard in West Plains, Missouri and has watched her family grow with delight. Sue Ellen has five grand children: Charles Willard, Susan Manis, Amy DeMott, Chris Moore, and Bryan Moore, and seven great-grandchildren: Makay Manis, RJ Manis, Luke Willard, Claire Willard, Ella DeMott, Sam DeMott, and Willard DeMott.
Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren would find Sue Ellen baking legendary cookies, working on puzzles, watching old movies, or sitting in her chair crafting. She kept special letters in her Bible from her family far away, and an open door for her daughter, Sue, who was able to be there every day.
Sue Ellen would be proud to say the high point of her life was becoming a member of the Church of Christ at sixteen. She was a member of the Curry Street Church of Christ in West Plains. Her faith and her family were her priorities and will remain her legacy.
Graveside services for Sue Ellen will be held on Sunday, October 2, 2016 at 2:00 pm at Howell Memorial Park Cemetery, Howell County, Missouri.
Funeral services for Alvin E. Kraus, 79, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, September 24, 2016, at the Carter Funeral Home Chapel, West Plains.
He was born the son of the late Melvin Kraus and Pearl Roeser Kraus, on June 22, 1937 in Milford, Kansas and died September 21, 2016 in West Plains, Missouri.
He was united in marriage September 28, 1957 in Osage City, Kansas to Sharon Hill.
He is survived by his wife, Sharon Hill Kraus, of the home, West Plains, Missouri; one daughter, Deborah Stanislaus and husband Marinus, Olathe, Kansas; one son, Jimmy Kraus and wife Cindy, Pomona, Missouri; two brothers, Ray Kraus and wife Janet, Osage City, Kansas; Robert Kraus and wife Vicki, Harveyville, Kansas; two sisters, Lois DeWitt, Burlingame, Kansas and Sheryll Crumb and husband, Bruce, Burlingame, Kansas; six grandchildren, Jamie Clark, Tony Alejos (Melissa), Jessica Romans (Brandon), Alaina Romine, Josh Kraus (Krystal) and Jennifer Kraus (Eric), and six great grandchildren.
Erma Dean (Jones) Griffin of Lanton, Missouri passed away surrounded with family and friends by her side at Ozarks Medical Center, West Plains on September 8, 2016.
She was born November 24, 1933 in Omaha, Arkansas to Ralph and Georgia Mae Jones.
She was a retired business owner and homemaker. She never met a stranger and welcomed many into her home.
She is preceded in death by her parents; four brothers; two sisters, and two sons, and her late husband, Max Griffin.
Funeral services for Lucy Marie Spear, 91, West Plains, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Monday, September 12, 2016, at the Carter Funeral Home Chapel, West Plains.
She was born the daughter of the late Jesse McLain and Dora Lee VanAmburg McLain, on July 22, 1925 in Oak Ridge, Missouri and died September 6, 2016 in West Plains.
She was united in marriage July 7, 1946 in Pocahontas, Arkansas to Harrison L. Spear, who preceded her in death.
She is survived by three children, James H. Spear and wife Marsha, North Pole, Alaska, Ronda Dunmire and husband Wayne, North Apollo, Pennsylvania, and Linda Hill and husband Daniel, West Plains, Missouri; thirteen grandchildren, and five great grandchildren.
On May 29, 1927 MERLE GERALDINE OAKS was born in Imboden, Arkansas to Savanah Johnson and Leck Oaks.
She was married to Homer Kennard on April 2, 1945 and to this union one son was born.
Merle was preceded in death by her mother, father, husband and infant son. In addition as well as three brothers, Crockett Oaks, Lester Oaks and Lige Oaks; four sisters, Mary Sue James, Emma Oaks, Lucy Allison and Beedie Bush.
Merle attended school in West Plains, Missouri. She worked for the Schroeder Family for many years. She was also a volunteer for the Salvation Army. She was a member of the Church of Christ on Washington Avenue.
On Thursday, August 18, 2016, Merle went home to be with her family after a lengthy illness. “No more pain and suffering.”
She leaves to mourn her passing several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, August 27, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. at Carter Funeral Home Chapel.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, August 27, 2016 at Carter Funeral Home Chapel from 8:00 a.m. until time of service.
Burial will be at Sadie Brown Cemetery, Howell County, Missouri, under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Inc., West Plains.
Funeral services for Elda Faye Kruse, 77, Pomona, Missouri, will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, August 23, 2016, at the Carter Funeral Home Chapel, West Plains.
She was born the daughter of the late Ray Jolliff and Virginia Redburn Jolliff, on March 4, 1939 in Howell County, Missouri and died August 19, 2016 in Willow Springs, Missouri.
She is survived by one daughter, Rhonda Faye Dusenbury and her mate, Ryan Pike, Pomona, Missouri; two sisters, Virginia Mae Haggard, Coalinga, California, and Lillie Ruth Wilkerson, Olivehill, Tennessee; four grandchildren, Miranda Killough, Willow Springs, Missouri, Matthew Ray Dusenbury and wife, Jennifer, Cadiz, Kentucky, Ryan Lee Hargove state of Arkansas, and Nicole Hargrove, West Plains; five great grandchildren, Abigail, Allison, and Aiden Killough, Willow Springs, Missouri, and Paxton and Preston Dusenbury, Cadiz, Kentucky.
Charles L. Collins, son of the late Burley Collins and Gladys Hicks Collins, was born March 1, 1944 in West Plains, Missouri and died July 30, 2016 in West Plains, Missouri at the age of 72 years.
He was united in marriage November 27, 2011 in West Plains, Missouri to Kathy Driskell.
He is survived by his wife, Kathy Driskell Collins, of the home, West Plains, Missouri; one daughter, Lisa Thompson and husband Charley, West Plains, Missouri; four step children, Buddy Driskell and wife Athena; Chris Driskell and wife Candace; Kathy Driskell, and Heather Tucker and husband Eddie, all of Springfield, Missouri; one brother, Basil Collins and wife Patricia, Willow Springs, Missouri; one sister, Wanda Hill, Pomona, Missouri; two grandchildren,
Mae Reasons, 87, West Plains, Missouri, entered into eternal glory Sunday, July 24, 2016 while residing at West Vue.
Mae was born November 10, 1928 in Viola, Arkansas, to James Olen Rosier and Jodie Lou Ozbirn Rosier. She graduated from Viola High School in 1946. She was a basketball player during school and after high school she and her sister were recruited to play for the “Red Heads,” a
professional women’s traveling basketball team. She was an avid fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and Duke and UNC college basketball teams.
In 1946 she married T. J. Reasons in Viola, Arkansas. They moved to Kansas City where she began working at Montgomery Ward. After moving to West Plains, she was one of the first school bus drivers for West Plains Schools. She then worked eight years as Howell Valley School’s first secretary and served as the girls volleyball coach. She then worked seventeen years at Fair View School as the office secretary. Rather than retiring, she then worked as a courier for nine years for the now known Landmark Bank. She also volunteered at OMC for a few years. While working at the schools and bank, in 1973, she opened and operated “Fireworks City,” across from the Dairy Queen, which became known as “Crazy Mae’s Fireworks.” Her family continues to operate the fireworks business. Mae was a hard worker, having grown up on a farm in tough times, learning the skill of honest, hard work.
Ms. Reasons served as a volunteer phone operator at First Baptist Church, where her smile and wit were so well received. She was a member since1964. She also helped with the church’s Food Bank. She was a true “bring a smile to your face” member. Her devotion to Jesus was evident in her love of others.
Mae has always been known for her humor and wit in any setting. She could take an ordinary conversation and turn it into rolling laughter. Her spunk never missed a punch to give someone advice. “Kiss my grits” was one of her most known verbal comebacks. Anyone who knows her can testify that it was never a guess what she meant when she said something. Knowing Mae was the brightest moment a person could have. Her love and devotion for her family was fierce and they will miss her terribly.
She is survived by daughter, Sandy Putnam, West Plains; son, Tim Reasons, Orange, Texas. Four grandchildren; Lisa Brassfield and husband Jim; Brian Hale and wife Angela; T. J. Temple and wife Alanna; Robby Temple. Great grandchildren: Preslee Sukow, Jacob (Carrie) Brassfield, Jamie (Zac) Hollingshad, Ashley (Jesse) Martinosky, Evan Hale, L. J. Temple, Anna Ruth Temple. Great great grandchildren, Jack, Scarlet, Sapphire, Zeke, Ezra. One sister Oneta Oliver and husband Frank, several nieces, nephews, cousins, special family members Dr. Greg and Cindy Temple; John, Krystle, Jaiden and Jackson Hale, and many many friends.
Her parents, one son, Jim Reasons; son-in-law, Jeff Putnam; one brother, David B Rosier and three sisters, Pauline Wood, Mary Lou Brison and Anna Mae Hampton, precede her in death.
Visitation will be held at the Carter Funeral Home Chapel, West Plains from 6 to 8 pm on Tuesday, July 26th.
Funeral services will be at the First Baptist Church, 202 Walnut, West Plains, on Wednesday July 27th at 10:00 a.m. with Rev David Ball officiating and with burial in the Howell Valley Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please give to the First Baptist Church Upward Basketball or Awana, or to the Gideon Bibles.
