West Plains

Funeral services for Betty Dewey, 75, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, January 21, 2013, at Carter Funeral Home Chapel, West Plains, Missouri.

She was born the daughter of the late Guy Scaggs and Orbrie Crosnoe Scaggs, on March 5, 1937 in Hope, Arkansas and died January 17, 2013 in West Plains, Missouri.

She was united in marriage September 3, 1960 in Las Vegas, Nevada to Frederick D. Dewey, who preceded her in death.

She is survived by one daughter, Sandra Phillips and husband, Kenneth, Peace Valley, Missouri; two sisters, Dora Markum, West Plains, and Mary Scaggs, Bellevue, Washington; seven grandchildren. Tiffany Dusenbury, Springfield, Missouri, Joshua Dusenbury and Philisha, West Plains, Michael Dusenbury, Peace Valley, Missouri, Christopher Dusenbury, Dyersburg, Tennessee, Anthony Phillips, Peace Valley, Missouri, Megan Toulas and husband, Shane, Peace Valley, Missouri, and Katlyn Phillips, Peace Valley, Missouri and several great grandchildren.

Funeral services for Chloa Sarah Sanders, 98, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, January 19, 2013, at Carter Funeral Home Chapel, West Plains, with Reverend Glen Murray and Reverend Dennis McGinley officiating, under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Inc., West Plains.

She was born the daughter of the late Edward James Bridges and Una Mae Martin Bridges, on August 20, 1914 in Viola, Arkansas and died January 17, 2013 in West Plains, Missouri.

She was united in marriage August 20, 1932 in Sturkie, Arkansas to Albert M. Sanders, who preceded her in death.

She is survived by four children, Wanda Lee Roberson and husband, Carl, West Plains, William “Eddie” Sanders and wife, Donna, Springfield, Missouri, Ruby Roberson and husband, Alten, Holden, Missouri, and Vera Sanders, West Plains, Missouri; one daughter-in-law, Jula Scott and husband, Joe, West Plains, Missouri; one brother, Austin Bridges and wife, Della, Moko, Arkansas; one sister, Koma Kerin, Hanford, California; fourteen grandchildren; twenty-four great grandchildren, and twenty-one great great granchildren, and several step grandchildren, and step great grandchildren.

Funeral services for Fonda E. Neal, 91, Pottersville, Missouri, will be held at 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, January 16, 2013, at the First Missionary Baptist Church in Pottersville, Missouri,  with Pastor Jerry Arnold officiating, under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, West Plains.

 She was born the daughter of the late Claude Blankenship and Floy Johnson Blankenship, on November 23, 1921 in Alton, Missouri and died January 14, 2013 at her home in Pottersville, Missouri.

 She was united in marriage September 5, 1938 in West Plains, Missouri to Joe C. Brewer who preceded her in death October 8, 1986. She was later united in marriage in 1987 in West Plains, Missouri to Kenneth Neal who preceded her in death March 5, 2008.

She is survived by two sons, Keith Brewer and wife Daisy, Pottersville, Missouri, Kyle Brewer, Pottersville, Missouri; one daughter, Gail Hand and husband Willard, Pottersville, Missouri; one brother, Dewey Blankenship, Odessa, Missouri; four sisters, Mary Link, Higginsville, Missouri, Sue Lahey and husband Bill, Independence, Missouri, Louise Kingston and husband Ron, Oak Grove, Missouri, Lois Lewis, Plattsburg, Missouri; ten grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren; and 11 great great grandchildren.

Funeral services for Elsie Oleeta Parker, 98, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, January 13, 2013, at Carter Funeral Home Chapel, West Plains with Brother Bill Bales officiating under the direction of Carter Funeral Home.

Oleeta Parker was a living page from a history book. She witnessed world events that, as we look back, are quite extraordinary. She was born in a rural setting in Oklahoma, which had been a state for only 7 years. World War I was clammoring on another continent and the czars still ruled the Russian Empire. As a child, her home was blown away by a tornado, and she married and started her family during the Great Depression. The Calhouns and Parkers survived the devastation of drought and the Dust Bowl, and joined hundreds of families praying for a new life as they travelled the dusty roads of Route 66 on their way to California.

She found work in the Kaiser Ship Yards of San Francisco and was trained as a welder during the War — she and so many other “Rosie the Riveters” made their contribution to the war effort. The prototype single mother, she raised two boys who served their country in the military and became fine young men.

After the war, she worked at the Gibson Guitar manufacturing facility in Michigan, and retired there to move closer to family who had settled in Missouri. And she found West Plains. She lived here longer than any other place. She loved her little house on Hynes Street, and West Plains was home for almost 40 years.

Her family will miss Aunt Sis. But we are comforted that she is “absent with the body, but present in the Lord.” And what a relief….no more suffering, confusion, fear. She can walk without falling, and we all smile when we remember….her index finger is straight now.

We are comforted in knowing that death has no sting, and she is resting and happy in the arms of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, and can be left at the funeral home.

Burial will be in Oak Lawn Cemetery, West Plains.

Alvin Richard “Short” Bittick, 72, of Pomona, Missouri passed away on Friday, January 4, 2013.

Alvin was born in Topaz, Missouri to Sim Bittick and Mary C. (Loomis) Bittick on February 24, 1940. He graduated from Cabool High School in 1958. He was married to Betty Louise Wake on April 16, 1967. They were married for 45 years.

He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Wayne, Audie, and Merle; three sisters, Doris, Dorothy, and Verla.

Lester C. Powell, 62, West Plains, Missouri died December 30, 2012 at 12:54 a.m. at Ozarks Medical Center, West Plains. Local arrangements under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Inc., West Plains.

Loretta Fox Collins, daughter of Orville and Clella Ledbetter Fox was born May 19, 1928 near Crider, Missouri, and passed away December 28, 2012 in Poplar Bluff, Missouri.

When she was a child the family moved to Kansas where her father worked in the oil fields. Several years later they returned to Missouri where Mrs. Collins graduated from Dora High School as class valedictorian.

On May 16, 1948 she married Marvin Feral Collins, who preceded in death February 12, 2000.

Mrs. Collins served as the Siloam Springs Route mail carrier thirty four years. She was the first female carrier at the West Plains Post Office. She enjoyed her work and the many friends she made.

She was a life-long member of the Church of Christ and was baptized at the age of twelve in Hutchinson, Kansas. Her present membership being with the Central Church of Christ in West Plains.

She is survived by her daughter, Carol Goehring and husband, George, of Independence, Missouri, a son, Steve Collins and wife, Debbie, of Doniphan, Missouri; three grandchildren, Scott Goehring and special friend, Kaitlen Besse, of Independence, Missouri, Mallory Morris and husband, Justin, of Jackson, Tennessee, and Monica Brown and husband, John, of Savannah, Tennessee; one brother, Max Fox and wife, Anna, of West Plains.

The mention of her grandchildren’s names always brought a smile to her face. She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother who will be greatly missed.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, January 2, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. at Carter Funeral Home Chapel, West Plains, with Pat Casey officiating. Visitation will be from 1 to 2 p.m. on Wednesday before the service.

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

Online condolences can be made at carterfuneralhomeinc.com.

Chuck Wichern, 69, West Plains, Missouri, died December 27, 2012 at Ozarks Medical Center, West Plains, Missouri.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Tuesday, January 1, 2013 at 6:00 p.m. at Carter Funeral Home Chapel, West Plains, Missouri.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Amyloidosis Foundation, and can be left at the funeral home.

Funeral services for Gerald Eldon Griffin, 84, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 29, 2012 at Carter Funeral Home Chapel, West Plains, under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Inc.

Mr. Griffin died Monday, December 24, 2012 at West Vue Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in West Plains, Missouri.

He was born the son of the late Harvey Veron Griffin and Fern Gosnell Griffin on October 31, 1928 in West Plains, Missouri.

He was united in marriage December 26, 1949 in Salem, Arkansas to Dorothy Mock, who preceded him in death May 29, 2009.

He is survived by four children, Steve Griffin, Sr. and wife, Heidi, West Plains, Missouri, Judy Barnes and husband, Ray, West Plains, Missouri, Jim Griffin, West Plains, Missouri, and Ed Griffin and wife, Brenda, West Plains, Missouri; six grandchildren, Brian Barnes and wife, Becky, West Plains, Missouri, Greg Barnes, West Plains, Missouri, Debra Stokes and husband, Alex, West Plains, Missouri, Emily Reed and husband, Joe, West Plains, Missouri, Amy Tharp and husband, Danny, West Plains, Missouri, and Steve Griffin, Jr. and wife, Erica, West Plains, and eighteen great grandchildren.

Funeral services for Bill M. Pruett, 78, West Plains, will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, December 28, 2012 at Carter Funeral Home Chapel, West Plains, under the director of Carter Funeral Home, Inc.

Mr. Pruett died Saturday morning December 22, 2012 at West Vue Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, West Plains, Missouri.

He was born October 1, 1934 near West Plains, Missouri to John V. Pruett and Nannie Pruett.

On October 8, 1955 he was married to Greta Hopkins, daughter of Burk and Ilene Hopkins at New Liberty Baptist Church near West Plains, Missouri. To this union was born two sons, Keith Pruett and Paul Pruett.

He is survived by his wife, Greta Pruett of the family home; two sons, Keith Pruett and wife Pam, West Plains, Missouri, and Paul Pruett and wife, Rhonda, of Norman, Oklahoma; four grandchildren, Annette Jones and husband, Quentin, Paige Wichern and husband, Jared, of West Plains, Missouri, Tyler Pruett, Petersham, Australia, and Marissa Leitenne, Dyersburg, Tennessee; four great grandchildren, Sunshine Jones and Autum Jones of West Plains, Missouri, Jade Andrew of Dyersburg, Tennessee, Emma Leitenne of Dyersburg, Tennessee; one brother, Lonnie Pruett of West Plains; six nieces and nephews and many cousins and great nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Joanna Adams, and one granddaughter, Renee Jean Pruett.

He attended Egypt Grove School and graduated in 1950 from Bakersfield High School where he was valedictorian of his class and an active member of the FFA.