Missouri, U.S., Marriage Records, 1805-2002
Lester McClary, 86
Jul 6, 2006
Lester McClary, the son of James William McClary and Docia Ann (Berry) McClary, was born June 17, 1920, in Blanche, Mo., and departed this life July 3, 2006 at the age of 86.
Lester was a lifelong resident of Blanche. He was a farmer and worked in the Crossroads sawmill. He served his country during World War II with the U.S. Army.
Lester was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Bob Wilson and Harry Latham McClary; and two sisters, Odetta and Martha McClary.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Leota McClary; his son, James McClary and wife, Deborah, Drury; one daughter, Betty Carter and husband, Averill, West Plains; five stepchildren, Quinten Russell, Norwood, Selba Russell, Dora, Faun Lee Russell, Dora, Sybil Russell, Dora, Juanita and James Rackley, West Plains; one sister-in-law, Ruby Wilson, Mtn. Grove; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and a host of other relatives and friends.
Services will be 10 a.m. Friday, July 7, in the Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava, with the Rev. Robert Grisham officiating. Visitation will be Thursday, from 6 to 8 p.m. in the funeral home. Military honor services will be performed by American Legion Post 112 and VFW 5993.
Memorials may be made to the Special Needs Unit of Brooke Haven Healthcare, West Plains.
Ernest Kester Jr., 80
Jul 6, 2006
Ernest Kester Jr., 80, of Springfield, passed away Friday, June 30, 2006, in the Veterans Home, Mt. Vernon.
He was born May 2, 1926, in Ava, the son of Ernest and Carrie (Denny) Kester.
On March 22, 1946, he was united in marriage to Virginia Klineline and to this union, two wonderful sons were born.
Ernie proudly served his country with the United States Navy during World War II and retired from the United States Postal Service in 1986.
He was an avid coon hunter and enjoyed spending time with his hunting buddies.
Ernie was also a member of Hopedale Baptist Church, of Ozark.
Preceding him in death were his parents.
Ernie is survived by his wife, Virginia, of the home; two sons, Dennis Kester and wife, Paula, of Springfield, and David Kester and fiancé Kim Hurshman, of Rogersville; four grandchildren, Jeff Kester and wife, Stacy, Jason Kester and wife, Ashley, all of Springfield, Ian Kester, of Las Vegas, Nev., and Hana Kester, of New York City, and two future step-grandchildren, Nick and Nathan Hurshman, of Rogersville. He is also survived by four great-granddaughters, Katy, Mary, Maggie and Addison; one sister, Maxine Ellison and husband, Herman; a niece, Karen Timby; a great-niece, Carrie Timby; and an aunt, Dorothy Worel, all of Springfield; many caring family members and good friends.
On Monday, July 3, the family received friends and relatives from 1 to 2:30 p.m. for visitation at Hopedale Baptist Church.
Funeral services under the care and direction of Barnes Family Funeral Home, Ozark, with the Rev. Terry Kendrick officiating, followed the visitation at the church.
Burial was in Rivermonte Memorial Gardens, Springfield.
Joyce J. Rackley, 65
Jul 13, 2006
The homegoing of Joyce Rackley occurred July 4, 2006.
Joyce was born Sept. 28, 1940, in Rome, Mo., to Grover and Cleffie Blakey.
She married Jake Rackley on Sept. 29, 1959.
Joyce worked in the classroom as a teacher’s assistant in the North Kansas City School District for many years. She enjoyed helping children learn and be stronger in their education.
Joyce attended Sheffield Family Life Center in Kansas City for over 50 years, where she was active in various ministries and relied on her faith in God to overcome any challenge life brings. She always shared her faith with those around her and reached out to those who needed a friend in every walk of life. Joyce enjoyed life and loved to have a good time with family and friends.
Joyce Rackley was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers, two sisters and her husband.
She is survived by daughters, Carla Budd and Pam Rackley; grandson, Stephen Reese; brother, George Blakey and sister, Anna Marie Goss.
The celebration of the homegoing for Joyce Rackley was held at 11 a.m. Friday, July 7, at the Sheffield family Life Center, Kansas City, under the direction of D.W. Newcomer’s Sons White Chapel. Graveside services and burial were held Saturday, July 8, at the Ava City Cemetery under the direction of Clinkingbeard Funeral home, Ava.
Gladys Marie Lee, 86
Jul 13, 2006
Gladys Marie Lee, daughter of Hiram Isam and Emma Artellia (Hargus) Pool, was born April 30, 1920, near Seymour, Missouri.
She departed this life Saturday, July 8, 2006, in Cox Medical Center South, in Springfield, at the age of 86.
On Feb. 15, 1935, she was united in marriage to Robert Conway Lee, in Gainesville.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert, on Dec. 21, 1984; her parents; two sons, Bobby Lee, and Merrell Lee; a daughter, Lola Minnie Lafferty; a brother, Floyd Pool; three sisters, Elizabeth Coffey, Opal Todd, and an infant, Rose Pool; and a son-in-law, Bill Dix.
Gladys is survived by three sons, Eugene Lee, and his wife, Nancy, of Springfield, Jimmy Lee, and his wife, Wanda, of Seymour, and Ronnie Lee, and his wife, Sharon, of Ava; six daughters, Freda Musgrave and her husband, Willis, of Springfield, Leta Cornelison and her husband, Dallas, of Ava, Lizzie France and her husband, Bud, of Strafford, DeLois Johnston and her husband, Bob, of Kansas City, Geneva McCullough and her husband, Roger, of Seymour, and Kathy Bunker, of Cameron; a daughter-in-law, Sue Lee, of Seymour; 35 grandchildren; 60 great-grandchildren; a number of great-great-grandchildren; two brothers, Monroe Pool and his wife, Mary Alice, of Seymour, and Harold "Bud" Pool, and his wife, Dorothy, of Mountain Home, Ark.; several nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other relatives and friends.
She was born and raised in the Seymour and Ava areas where she was a farmer’s wife and a homemaker. She was a wonderful cook and could make delicious cream pies. Before Robert passed away they would always have big family dinners on Sunday afternoon at their home. She loved to garden and always raised plenty of food for the family. She was very talented in crocheting and loved to make doilies to decorate her home and to give to family and friends. She also enjoyed piecing beautiful quilts.
Gladys had made her profession of belief in Christ at an early age and followed the Pentecostal faith.
Gladys was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother, sister, and aunt, and was a caring neighbor and friend.
Services were held Wednesday, July 12, at 2 p.m. in the Holman-Howe Chapel, Seymour, with burial in the Seymour Masonic Cemetery, under the direction of Holman-Howe Funeral Home, Seymour.
L.C. Stith, 72
Jul 13, 2006
L.C. Stith left this life on Monday, July 10, 2006. His death was the result of a tractor accident.
L.C. was born July 15, 1933, to Lawrence and Ella Stith, in Coffeyville, Kan. He moved from Tulsa, Okla., to Gainesville in 1987.
He was active in the Gainesville Lions Club and a board member of Century Bank, Gainesville. His first love was Ava Victory Academy where he served on the board and as treasurer.
He was a transportation consultant for a freight company, and a veteran of the U.S. Army.
He attended Ava Full Gospel Church.
L.C. was a very generous and loving son to Ella and a faithful brother to L.E. Stith, of Alamo, Texas, and sister Daphne Tiger, of Cerritos, Calif.
He is also survived by his son, Russell Stith and wife, Cheri, San Antonio, Texas; and their three children, Christina, Mary Caroline and Sutherland.
He was preceded in death by his father.
Visitation was held from noon to 4 p.m. Wednesday at Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Gainesville. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 15, at Rose Hill Funeral Home, Tulsa, Okla., with burial in Rose Hill Cemetery, Tulsa.
Goldie Mae Vance, 79
Jul 13, 2006
Goldie Mae Vance, 79, passed away Thursday July 6, 2006 at Heart of the Ozark Healthcare Center, Ava.
Goldie was born on Oct. 7, 1926, to Lindsey and Sarah Yowell.
Goldie dearly loved to help her neighbors and her family. Goldie loved everything in nature including fishing, working in her flowers, feeding the birds and squirrels, and picking berries. She also loved to go sightseeing with her special friend, Larry. Most of all Goldie loved the Lord.
Goldie was preceded in death by parents, her husband and father of her children, Eugene Miller, her husband Frank Vance, one sister and six brothers.
Goldie is survived by one son, Dennis Miller and wife, Becky of Mansfield; one daughter, Wanda Goss and husband, Dennis of Ava; five grandchildren, Jessica James, David Walker, Aaron Miller, Joshua Miller and Dennis R. Goss; 10 great-grandchildren; and two brothers, Bill Yowell, of Newburg, and Roy Yowell, of St. Louis.
Funeral services were held on Saturday, July 8, with the Rev. Don Graham officiating at Barnes Family Funeral Home, Ava. Burial followed at the Ava Cemetery.
The family requests that memorial contributions be sent to the American Diabetes Association.
Hannah L. Chance, newborn
Jul 13, 2006
Hannah Leigh Chance, newborn daughter of Darin and Elizabeth Chance, Grain Valley, was born on Tuesday, July 4, 2006, at St. Luke’s Hospital.
After a brief, but loving visit with her parents, she went on to be with the Lord the same day.
Hannah’s survivors include her parents, Darin and Elizabeth, of the home; maternal grandparents, Ed and Paula Duncan, of Blue Springs; paternal grandparents, Larry and Debbie Chance, Ava; maternal great-grandparents, Robert and Marian Blacksten, of Independence, and Dorothy Kavanaugh, of Independence; paternal great-grandparents, Lowell and Lorene Maloney, Ava, and Pauline Chance and the late D.L. Chance, Ava; two uncles, Christian Duncan, Blue Springs, and Dusty Chance, Independence.
Graveside services were held at 1 p.m. Saturday, July 8, at Valley Memorial Gardens, Grain Valley.
Services were under the direction of Royer Funeral Home, Grain Valley.
Winifred McKnight, 84
Jul 13, 2006
Winifred McKnight, 84, passed away Friday, July 7, 2006, at the Cass Medical Center in Harrisonville.
She was born Aug. 29, 1921, in Douglas County, to Harry and Rachel Yandell.
Winifred was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Palmer, and one sister.
Winifred is survived by one son, Ronnie McKnight, and wife, Charlotte; and one daughter, Phyllis Gregory and husband, Lee. She is also survived by four grandchildren, Lisa Stafer and husband, David, Shelly McKnight-Haynes and husband, Matthew, Steven McKnight, and Felisha Ethridge and husband, Steve. Also surviving are three great-grandchildren and one great-great-granddaughter.
Winifred is also survived by her sister, Zelda Stamper.
Graveside services were held at 2 p.m. Monday, July 10, at Ava City Cemetery with the Rev. Tom Johnson officiating under the direction of Barnes Family funeral Home, Ava.
The family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Parkinson’s Group of the Ozarks.
Chalmer Ray Ferguson, 80
Jul 20, 2006
Chalmer Ray Ferguson was born April 21, 1926, the son of Thomas Earl Ferguson and Myrtle Marie (Berry) Ferguson, and departed this life July 17, 2006, at the age of 80.
Chalmer was a resident of Rogersville since 1997. Chalmer was employed as a sheet metal worker and was a foreman with Valley Aluminum and New England in Fresno, Calif. He was also employed as a ranch foreman. Chalmer served his country during World War II with the U.S. Army and was a member of the VFW in Mtn. Grove. He was a Protestant.
On April 24, 1948, Chalmer and Sylvia Brightstar Hayes were united in marriage in Las Vegas, Nev., and to this union, a daughter was born.
Chalmer was preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by his wife, Sylvia, of the home, Rogersville; his daughter and her husband, Sylvia and Harold Helton, Marshfield; a special man, who was like a son, James, and a very special foster grandson, Matt; two brothers, Bill Ferguson, Ava, and David Ferguson, Prineville, Ore., three sisters, Pauline Powers, Shirley Orum, both of Prineville, Ore., and Mary Off, of Arizona; a sister-in-law, Elva Burruss, Sarcoxie; several nephews, nieces, and brothers and sisters in Christ.
Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. today (Thursday, July 20) at the Yates Cemetery Pavilion with Pastor David Clouse officiating. Full military honors will be conducted by American Legion #112 and V.F.W. #5993.
Visitation was held Wednesday from 6 to 7 p.m. in the Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava. Memorials may be made to Gideons International. Sylvia requests family and friends bring a stick or stone with their names on it to the gravesite. Services are being conducted by Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava.
James Arlie Brown, 46
Jul 20, 2006
James Arlie Brown, son of Arlie Blair Brown and Zola Ann (Fields) Brown, was born on Dec. 19, 1959, in Sidney, Ohio, and departed this life on July 16, 2006, in his home in Squires, at the age of 46.
James was a resident of the Squires community for the past four years, moving from Sidney, Ohio. He was a veteran and served his country with the U. S. Army.
On Aug. 15, 1980, James and Cynthia E. Covert were united in marriage in Sidney, Ohio, and to this union, four children were born.
He was employed as an engineer supervisor with Copeland, Ava. James was a Master Mason with the Lodge in Fort Recovery, Ohio. He also had attended the North Town Church of God in Sidney. He enjoyed fishing and most of all he loved being with his family.
He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister, Lisha Carol Brown and one son, Justin Allen Brown.
He is survived by his wife, Cynthia “Cindy” Brown of the home in Squires; three daughters, Barbara Ann Brown, Ava, Mary Beth and Debra Jo Brown, Squires; one sister, Debbie Brock, Somerset, Ky.; two brothers, Andy Brown, Sidney, Ohio, and George Brown, Bell Buckle, Tenn.; his father and mother-in-law, Marvin and Mary Stafford, Sidney, Ohio, and a host of other relatives and friends.
Services were held Wednesday, July 19, at 2 p.m. at the Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava, with Pastor Gary Stigall officiating. Cremation followed services. The family requests memorials to the American Cancer Society or the Salvation Army in care of the funeral home.
Services were conducted by Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava.
