Missouri, U.S., Marriage Records, 1805-2002
John Wilson Ross, 78
Jun 2, 2005
John Wilson Ross, son of Henry Thomas Ross and Grace Elizabeth (Thomas) Ross, was born Oct. 15, 1926, in Burleson, Texas, and passed away May 25, 2005, at the age of 78 years.
John was a life long resident of the Ava area. John was a self-employed mechanic for many years in Ava.
On June 30, 1945, John and Wanda Goodnight were united in marriage in Gilbert, Ariz., and to this union, five children were born.
John attended the First General Baptist Church of Ava.
He enjoyed researching and collecting arrowheads and loved hunting, fishing and working on cars and Studebakers. He loved being with his family.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Wanda, in 1992; one granddaughter, Melissa Kay Ross; and nine brothers and sisters.
His survivors include five children, Cheryl Keith and husband, Dale, Mansfield, David Ross, Norma Shelton and husband, Larry, Charles Ross, and Lisa Ann Loftin and husband, Mike, all of Ava; 12 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Joyce Hill, Gilbert, Ariz., and Callie Sherman, Sultan, Wash.; and a host of relatives and friends.
Services were Saturday, May 28, 10 a.m., at the Clinkingbeard Chapel, Ava, with the Rev. Robert Roberts officiating.
Interment was in the Fannon Cemetery.
Memorials can be made to the Alzheimers Assoc., Parkinsons or the donors choice of charity.
Services were conducted by Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava.
Jeanette “Jan” Bradshaw, 48
Jun 9, 2005
Jeanette “Jan” Bradshaw, the eighth of nine children of Cletus A. and Jeanette Frances Van Dyke McNeive, was born Aug. 1, 1956, in Kansas City, Mo. She lost her battle with cancer on Saturday, June 4, 2005, in her home in Seymour, Mo., surrounded by her family, at the age of 48.
On June 14, 1996, she was united in marriage to Dennis James Bradshaw, and to this union, one daughter was born.
Her parents, and a brother, Terry McNeive, preceded her in death.
Jan is survived by her loving husband of nine years, Dennis, and their daughter, Erin, of the home; her four brothers, Dan McNeive, and his wife, Helen, of the state of Arizona, Tim McNeive, and his wife, Laura, of Memphis, Tenn., John McNeive, of Dallas, Texas, and James McNeive, and his wife, Trisha, of Kansas City, Mo.; three sisters, Connie Jensen, and her husband, Bill, of Republic, Patty McKinny, and her husband, Pete, of Dallas, Texas, and Karen Clayton, and her husband, Chuck, of Springfield; a brother-in-law, Don Bradshaw, and his wife, Loraine, of Ava; her father and mother-in-law, Quentin and Voyledean Bradshaw, of Ava; her grandmother-in-law, Florence Rantz, of Ava; many nieces and nephews, whom she made a big part of her life; as well as a host of other relatives and friends.
She was raised in Chicago, Illinois, and Fordland, Mo., and graduated from Fordland High School in the Class of 1975.
She was employed by General Electric for 28 years. For over 20 years, she lived in the Seymour community. She also was a devoted homemaker to her husband and family.
Jan was a member of St. Leo The Great Catholic Church in Ava.
In her spare time, she enjoyed cooking, gardening, shopping, caring for her animals, and visiting with her family and friends. She loved her family dearly, and her daughter, Erin, was the joy of her life.
Jan was a loving wife, mother, sister, and aunt, and was a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate her life and her accomplishments and will cherish the wonderful memories she created for her family and friends.
Services were held at 10 a.m., Tuesday, June 7, in St. Leo The Great Catholic Church in Ava, under the direction of Holman-Howe Funeral Home of Seymour. Burial was in the Dyer Cemetery near Ava.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or Community Hospice of America in care of the funeral home at P.O. Box 366, Seymour, MO 65746.
Loa Davis, 87
Jun 9, 2005
Loa Davis, 87, Ava, passed away Friday, June 3, in her home.
She was born Nov. 16, 1917, in Stillwater, Okla., the daughter of George Albert and Cora (Davis) Hamilton.
On June 6, 1936, she was united in marriage to Cecil O. Davis in Ava. This union was blessed with two sons.
Loa was a lifelong resident of the Ava area where she enjoyed her family, gardening, crafts and especially enjoyed doll collecting. She was a loving and wonderful mother, grandmother, and a devoted and caring wife. Loa was a genuine first-class lady with a nurturing personality and loving spirit.
She embraced the Southern Baptist faith and was a member of the First Southern Baptist Church of Ava for over 60 years. She depended on her faith for her spiritual and social life, always demonstrating her love for Christ with compassion and encouragement.
She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, one son, Don, six brothers and one sister.
Loa is survived by one son, Dale Davis, and wife, Genie, daughter-in-law, Judy Kent, six grandchildren, Greg Davis and wife, Kim, Jeff Davis and wife, Gwen, Scott Davis and wife, Kim, all of Ava; David Davis and wife, Cynthia, of Olathe, Kans., Kathy Scott and husband, Steve, of Knob Noster, Melissa Monahan and husband, Jerry, of Jacksonville, Fla.; seven great-grandsons; six great-granddaughters; and two great-great-granddaughters; one sister, Lucille Eaton and husband, Gene, of Pryor, Okla.; other caring relatives, several very special friends, and numerous loving friends.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Monday, June 6, at First Southern Baptist Church, Ava, under the care and direction of Barnes Family Funeral Home with the Revs. Tom Maples, Oren Alcorn, and Bob Burke officiating.
Burial followed in the Ava Cemetery.
Beulah Irene Rowland, 86
Jun 9, 2005
Beulah Irene Rowland, daughter of the late George Washington and Sarah (Hopper) Vaughan, was born on February 22, 1919, in Douglas County, Mo., and departed this life on June 3, 2005, in the Autumn Oaks Caring Center in Mtn. Grove, Mo. She was 86 years of age.
Beulah grew up in Douglas County and attended the Oak Forest School.
She was united in marriage to Charley Rowland on Feb. 16, 1937, in Wright County, Mo.
They made their home on a farm near Norwood for many years. Charley passed away on Oct. 5, 1987.
Beulah enjoyed being outdoors tending to her flower and vegetable gardens and helping Charley on their farm. She also enjoyed attending singings and Sunday afternoon get-togethers with friends. She was well-known in the Norwood Community and liked participating in community events.
Beulah was saved and baptized at a young age and was a long-time member of the First Baptist Church in Norwood.
Beulah was a kind and loving person. Even though she never had any children of her own, she considered Brittani and Tasha Thompson her grandchildren. She looked forward to their visits and enjoyed spending time with them.
Besides her parents and her husband, she was preceded in death by three brothers, Henry, Ernest and Leonard Vaughan; and by three sisters, Viola Jarrett, Nora Sluder and Hazel Kohler.
She is survived by one sister, Edith Oberdier of Blacklick, Ohio; friends, Mike and Julie Thompson and daughters, Brittani and Tasha, of Mtn. Grove; and other relatives and friends who will miss her very much.
Funeral services for Beulah Rowland were held Tuesday, June 7, 10 a.m. in the First Baptist Church, Norwood, with Rev. Steve Fugitt officiating.
Burial was in the Retherford Cemetery under the direction of the Craig-Hurtt-Bradley Funeral Home, Mtn. Grove.
Leora Kathryn Graham, 68
Jun 9, 2005
Leora K. Graham, the daughter of Roy Davis and Kate (Nelson) Davis, was born Dec. 11, 1936, in Pansy, Mo., and departed this life June 6, 2005, at the age of 68 years.
She was a resident of the Ava area most of her life, living in the Sweden community since 1966.
On June 5, 1954, Leora and Elmer Graham were united in marriage in Vanzant, and to this union, three children were born.
She owned and operated the Cow Bell Café in Ava from 1970-1974. Leora attended SMS at West Plains,
where she obtained her nursing certificate and worked at Chastains Nursing Home in Ava for 10 years till 1986, and later provided health care in her home. She enjoyed crocheting, embroidery, seeing friends and singing.
Leora was a member of the Congregational Methodist Church at Sweden.
Leora was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and a brother, Chester Davis.
She is survived by one son, Michael Graham; two daughters, Marsha Hutchison and husband, Gary, Marla Solomon and husband, Marty, all of Sweden; six grandchildren, Lacy (Dobbs) Crawford, Gavin Hutchison, Ciara Hutchison, Levi Hutchison, Kelsea Rush and Dane Solomon; two sisters, Erma and Jim Cudney, Velma and Bill Duckworth, all of Ava; two brothers, Robert and Florence Davis, Hugton, Kans., Max and Wilma Davis, Burneyville, Okla.; two sister-in-laws, Bonnie Davis, South Carolina, Esther Heath, Cabool; six nieces; nine nephews; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Services will be held Friday, June 10, at 10 a.m., in the Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava, with Pastor Robert Grisham and Bro. Marvin Loftin officiating.
Interment will follow in the Sweden Cemetery.
Visitation will be Thursday, 6-7 p.m. in the funeral home.
Ila Belle Bowles, 84
Jun 9, 2005
Ila Belle (Davis) Bowles, 84, a resident of Evansville Manor, Evansville, Wisc., died peacefully Tuesday morning, June 7, 2005, at Evansville Manor Inc.
She was born on Jan. 27, 1921, at Girdner, Mo., near Ava, to George Felda and Stella (Parnell) Davis.
She was married to Robert Eugene Bowles on June 30, 1939, in Ava.
He preceded her in death on July 9, 1998.
Before moving to Salinas, Calif., in 1985, Ila Belle served many years as secretary to the Ava superintendent of schools and her husband, Robert, served as managing editor of the Douglas County Herald. The Bowles retired in 1981 and moved back to Springfield, Mo.
In 1998, they moved to Janesville, Wisc., to be nearer their son and his wife during Robert’s brief illness. In spite of Ila’s many years of illness, her mind remained clear and her inner strength was an inspiration to all those who knew her.
She was survived by a son, Jerry, and his wife, Gay (Grenlund) Bowles, of Janesville, Wisc.; several nieces and nephews, including Joanne (Stewart) Green, of Lebanon, Mo., and Chester Upshaw, of Mtn. Home, Ark.
Besides her parents and her husband, she was preceded in death by a brother, Herbert, in infancy; two sisters, Mrs. Naida (Davis) Childress, of Springfield, and Mrs. Veda (Davis) Upshaw, of Mtn. Home, Ark.
A graveside memorial service will be conducted on Thursday, June 9, at 11:30 a.m. in the Ava Cemetery under the direction of the Clinkingbeard Funeral Home in Ava, with the Rev. Harvel Sanders, a lifetime friend, officiating.
The Schneider Apfel Schneider & Schneider Funeral Home of Janesville, Wisc., handled local arrangements in Wisconsin.
Cecil Floyd Clayton, 67
Jun 16, 2005
Cecil Floyd Clayton, of Isabella, was born July 17, 1937, to James Matthew "Jim" Clayton and Margaret "Raye" Absher, died June 8, 2005, at home from cancer.
Survivors include wife, Judy; two sons, Tim Creg, and wife Vivian, of Springfield, and Floyd Randall Clayton, and wife Lottie, of Isabella; one daughter, Brenda Sue Rowden, and husband Don, of Arkansas; four grandchildren, Floyd Randall Clayton, Jr., Jess Matthew Clayton, Heather Dawn Rowden and Brandon Lee Rowden; two brothers, Dolen Clayton, and wife Marty, of Oregon and Lee Roy Clayton, and wife Roberta, of Isabella.
Cecil was the eleventh child of a family of 12. He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Elizabeth "Lizzie" Wolfe, 1978, Opal Buelah Riley, 2001; seven brothers, Willis Dale "Jack" Clayton, 1964, Hillis Clayton, 1994, Roland Clayton, 1974, Lonnie Clayton, 1949, Earl Clayton, John Lewis Clayton, 1995, and James Odis Clayton.
Memorial service was Friday, June 10, at Hicks Cemetery, at 1 p.m., with Jimmy Kyle officiating.
Bertha Massey, 93
Jun 23, 2005
Bertha Edna Massey, daughter of Howard Thornton and Belle (Halford) Thornton, was born May 30, 1912, in Ozark County, and departed this life June 16, 2005, at the age of 93.
On Feb. 24, 1931, Bertha and William “Bill” Massey were united in marriage in Ozark County, and to this union, two children were born.
Bertha was a homemaker and helped her husband run the family farm.
She was a member of the Church of God at Gentryville.
Bertha was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers, three sisters, her husband, Bill, in 1975, and a son, J.B. Massey.
Survivors include a daughter, Marjorie Hubbard, Anderson, Calif.; six grandchildren, Marylyn O’Hare, Jacalyn Wilcox, Sonja Devere, Gavaughna Boaz, Ken Hubbard and Kevin Massey; eight great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; one sister, Lena Sanders, Springfield; one brother, Bill Thornton, Spokane, Wash.; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Services were held at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 18, at the Clinkingbeard Chapel, Ava, with the Rev. Gary Moore officiating.
Interment was in the Pleasant Home Cemetery near Drury.
Services were conducted by Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava.
Ronda Sherl McFarland, 56
Jun 23, 2005
Ronda Sherl McFarland entered into the presence of her heavenly Father on Tuesday, June 21, 2005, after sharing her life with her family and friends for 56 years.
She was born February 1, 1949, in Montrose, Colo., the daughter of Dayton and Reba (Ferris) Lawson.
On Dec. 8, 1967, she was united in marriage to Elza Gene "Mac" McFarland, and this union was blessed with two children.
Ronda led a rich and varied life. She field-trained and showed purebred dogs for 30 years; solely owned and operated an automotive radiator shop; was a valued employee of Emerson Electric and also Wal-Mart. She was a highly organized person and a pillar of strength for her family.
She enjoyed cooking, crocheting, growing flowers and especially loved her puppies. With her Christian disposition, she embraced her commitment of love to her husband, children and grandchildren.
She worshipped at the First General Baptist Church in Ava.
She was preceded in death by both of her parents.
Ronda is survived by her loving husband, Elza "Mac" of the home; one son, Chris McFarland, of Marshfield; one daughter, Shelly Bell and husband, B. J., of Ava; four grandchildren, Amber and E. J. McFarland, of Marshfield, and Arianna Davis and Megan Bell, of Ava; two brothers, Jerry Lawson and wife, Frances, of Kanapolis, NC, and Rick Lawson and wife, Donna, of Cassville; other loving relatives and many caring friends.
Visitation will be Friday evening, June 24, between the hours of 7-8 p.m. at the First General Baptist Church.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m., Saturday, June 25, also at the First General Baptist Church, under the care and direction of Barnes Family Funeral Home, Ava, with Rev. Robert Roberts officiating.
Interment will be in the Oak Grove Cemetery at Wasola.
Memorial donations may be to: Neighbors Helping Neighbors, c/o Barnes Family Funeral Home, P.O. Box 65, Ava, MO 65608.
William “Bill” Walter Woolman, 87
Jun 23, 2005
William “Bill” Walter Woolman, son of Charlie and Lydia (Brown) Woolman, was born September 9, 1917, in the Rippee Creek area in Douglas County.
He departed this life June 18, 2005, at the age of 87.
On February 21, 1938, Bill and Mae Wright were united in marriage in Norwood.
Bill was a resident of Lake Spring since 1952, moving from Ava. Bill worked for the Missouri Department of Conservation for 10 years as a wildlife trapper where he was a pioneer in the field of cannon netting turkeys.
He attended Victory Baptist Church and was a member of the Boone and Crocket Club.
He loved hunting, fishing, camping and seeing his grand-, great-grand-, and great-great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one grandson, William L. Woolman; three brothers, Earl, Clifford and Elwood Woolman; two sisters, Eula Dyer and Rebecca Sargent; and a great-great-grandchild, Kole Benton Hunter.
Bill is survived by his wife, Mae, of the home; three sons, Paul and wife, Abby Woolman, of Edinburg, Texas, Clifford and wife, Wanda Woolman, of Ava, and Billy Woolman, of Lake Spring, and friend, Christine Gooden, of Salem; three daughters, June and husband Billy Case, Lecoma, Mo., Kathie and husband, Dan Forth, Columbia, Betty and husband, Robert Sprick, Hartville; a special niece, Patricia Diana Woolman; 27 grandchildren; 47 great-grandchildren; 17 great-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Bill went to be with his Lord in his home surrounded by his loving wife and children.
Graveside services were held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, June 21, in the Yates Cemetery east of Ava with the Rev. Alva Thurman and Bobby Mathis officiating.
Visitation was from noon to 1 p.m. at Clinkingbeard Chapel, Ava.
Services were conducted by Clinkingbeard Funeral Home of Ava.
