Missouri, U.S., Marriage Records, 1805-2002
Stella Kathryn Steward, 76
Feb 10, 2005
Stella Kathryn Steward, daughter of James B. Anderson and Susie Manning Anderson, was born on April 18, 1928, in Ava, and passed away on Feb. 7, 2005, in Springfield, at the age of 76.
Stella was a resident of Mtn. Grove for several years, moving from Ava. She was a food service supervisor with Chastain’s Nursing Home in Ava for several years.
On July 2, 1980, Stella and Earl Steward were united in marriage in Mtn. Home, Ark. Stella enjoyed crocheting and quilting. She also loved to read and watch her hummingbirds.
Stella was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters, Dorothy Plumb and Elma Spurlock, and one brother, James "JB" Anderson.
Survivors include her husband, Earl Steward, of Mtn. Grove; six children, Clifford Hall, Springfield, Larry Hall, Sparta, Jerry Hall and Darrell Hall, both of Springfield, James Hitchcock, Ava, and Kathryn Sue Hitchcock, Mansfield; two stepdaughters, Earlene LeMaster, Moline, Ill., and Catherine Conger, Davenport, Iowa; 11 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; four step-grandchildren; and two step-great-grandchildren; two sisters, Laverna Hicks, Ava, and Lucille Kelley, Springfield; many nieces and nephews; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Services will be held at 10 a.m. today (Thursday) at Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava, with the Rev. Tom Maples officiating. Interment will be in the Fannon Cemetery south of Ava.
Visitation was held from 6 to 7 p.m. in the funeral home.
Effie Marie Cox, 86
Feb 10, 2005
Effie Marie Cox, the daughter of William Columbus Fleetwood and Mary Jane (Cummins) Fleetwood, was born Jan. 2, 1919, in Webster County, Mo., and departed this life Feb. 2, 2005, at the age of 86.
Effie and Orval Cox were united in marriage March 14, 1936, in Ava, and to this union, five sons were born. Effie was a homemaker and wrote the Beaver Community news for the Douglas County Herald for many years.
Effie attended Beaver Valley Full Gospel Church.
Effie was preceded in death by her parents; 12 brothers and sisters, her husband, Orval, three grandchildren, Roxeanne Cox, Steven Cox and David Cox.
Effie is survived by five sons, Dale and his wife, Macel Cox, Seymour, Keith Cox, Hyrum, Utah, Doyle and his wife, Mona Cox, Mansfield, Glenn Cox, Springfield, and Ronald Cox, Ava; 12 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; three step-grandchildren; six step-great-grandchildren; one brother, Walter Fleetwood and wife, Pauline, Strafford; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Graveside service was held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 5 in the Hodge Cemetery in Webster County, with the Rev. Bobby Simmons officiating. Services were under the direction of Clinkingbeard Funeral Home of Ava.
Memorials may be made to Community Hospice.
Loren M. Sowers, 97
Feb 10, 2005
Loren Montgomery Sowers, 97, Mansfield, passed away at 4:20 a.m. Wednesday, February 2, 2005, in Cox South Hospital, Springfield.
He was born Jan. 29, 1908, in Pine River, Minn., the son of Sandford and Annie (Huffman) Sowers.
In 1939, he faced his worst tragedy with the loss of his 13 year old son. A few short months later, his first love Marian and the mother of his son passed away. In 1962, he began to rebuild his life and was united in marriage to Mary Clifton. They were married 38 years before Mary passed away on Jan. 13, 2000.
Loren resided in the Rocky Ridge Manor at Mansfield, where he was a source of inspiration to many residents and employees. He loved to share his knowledge and items of interest with all who passed his room. Until recently, Loren was able to go to the Mansfield School system for programs he instructed for the kindergarten classes.
Being confined to a wheelchair he was constantly looking for ways to learn and remain active. He taught himself to play the violin and often played for the residents of the nursing home. He also enjoyed his computer and communicated worldwide with many "cyber friends".
Loren found much strength in his faith.
A memorial service for Loren will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 13, in Rocky Ridge Manor, Mansfield.
Service arrangements under the care and direction of Barnes Family Funeral Home, Ava.
Raymond Hughes Jr., 57
Feb 10, 2005
Raymond Hughes Jr., the son of Raymond Hughes Sr. and Doris Jeanell (Heddinger) Hughes, was born Aug. 9, 1947, in Walker, Mo., and departed this life Feb. 2, 2005, at the age of 57 years.
Raymond was a resident of Thornfield, for the past 12 years, moving from Brixey. He was employed as an electrician. Raymond served his country during the Vietnam War with the U.S. Air Force. He enjoyed fishing, computers and being with his grandchildren. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Ava. In December of 1992, Raymond and Cliffy Eagar were united in marriage in Brown Branch.
Raymond was preceded in death by his parents.
Raymond is survived by his wife, Cliffy, of the home, Thornfield; eight children, Debbie Robertson, Mtn. Grove, Kim Walker, Ava, Cody Hughes, Hartville, Heidi Hughes, Boston, Mass., Jon Hughes, Branson, Ashley Hughes, Thornfield, Fraley Smith, Shreveport, La., and Patricia Pickering, Boyce, La.; 11 grandchildren; three brothers, Leroy Hughes, Lamar, Robert Hughes and Ron Hughes, both of Nevada, Mo.; and a host of relatives and friends.
Services were held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 5, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Ava, with Bishop Jerry Brown officiating. Interment was in Green Mound Cemetery, Harwood, Mo.
Services were under the direction of Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava.
Alta Jewell Hogan, 96
Feb 17, 2005
Alta Jewell Hogan passed away on Thursday, Feb. 3,2005, at Cox Medical Center South, Springfield.
Jewell was born on Oct. 19, 1908, the first of nine children of Jacob W. and Maggie (Stewart) Scott.
She was united in marriage to James Claude Hogan on Oct. 10, 1926, and they celebrated 56 years together before his death in 1982.
She was a homemaker all her life and enjoyed sewing, crocheting, gardening and houseplants.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her son, Jim; three brothers, Glen, Yuel and Buel; two sisters, Ruth and Josie; and two great-grandsons, Bobby Cannon and L.J. Grisham.
She is survived by two daughters, Alta Whitehair and her husband, Bob, of Bastrop, Texas, and Glenda Nichols and husband, Larry, of Fair Grove; one daughter-in-law, Pat Hogan, of Finksburg, Md.; six grandchildren, Christy Grisham and husband, Larry, of Battlefield, Leslie Martel, Springfield, Mary Ellen Miller and husband, Linwood, of Lucedale, Miss., Alta Lee Cannon, Bastrop, Texas, Robert Scott Whitehair and wife, Andrea, of Spicewood, Texas, and Dianne Whitehair and husband, Steve Larsen, of Austin, Texas; five great-grandchildren, Barbara Bice, Jessica and Brittany Eidson, Brennan Demers, and Christopher Miller; four great-great-grandchildren; two brothers, Noel Scott, of Moses Lake, Wash., and Guy Scott, of Ava; and one sister, Uldina Watson, of Thornfield.
Services were held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 5, at White Chapel in Springfield, with burial in White Chapel Cemetery.
Christian A. Wilson, 49
Feb 17, 2005
Christian Wilson was born Feb. 11, 1955, in Kansas City, the son of Courtnard Irvin and Bonnie J. (Pritchard) Wilson. He died Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2005, at Skaggs Community Hospital in Branson.
Christian was married to Betty J. Harness on Oct. 21, 1972, in Paola, Kan. He was employed as a minister at nondenominational churches.
Mr. Wilson is survived by his wife, Betty J. Wilson, of the home; his mother and stepfather, Bonnie and Marvin McCourt, of Ava; a son, Christian Wilson and wife, Deborah, of Ava; a brother, Noel Wilson, of Merriam Woods; and a sister, Dawn Ford, of Raymondville.
He was preceded in death by his father, Courtnard Irvin Wilson Sr., and a brother, Courtnard Irvin Wilson Jr.
Funeral services were held Saturday, Feb. 12, at 2 p.m., in the Forsyth Whelchel Chapel, with burial at Bethel Cemetery at Brown Branch.
Rev. Jack Ferguson, 67
Feb 18, 2005
A memorial service for Rev. Jack Ferguson, 67, was held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 22, 2005, in the chapel at Vondel L. Smith & Sons Mortuaries in Oklahoma City. He died Jan. 18, 2005 at the home his brother, Mark, in Columbus, Miss.
Jack was born July 21, 1937, in Oklahoma City, the son of Len Haden Ferguson and the late Jack W. Ferguson.
Jack was a grandson of the late Porter and Eva (Turner) Haden of Arno. He was active in the annual Haden-Sellers-Kay reunion in Ava.
Rev. Ferguson graduated from Bethel College in McKenzie, Tenn. in 1959 with a bachelor's degree, and he received a bachelor of divinity degree from the Cumberland Presbyterian Theological Seminary in 1962. He received a master of divinity degree in 1969 from Memphis Theological Seminary.
He was minister to churches in Tennessee, Oklahoma, Kentucky and Texas.
He served as minister of Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Jefferson from November 2002 to November 2004.
Jack served in several positions and on several boards for the Cumberland Presbyterian Denomination, including in the Presbytery ЦЦ moderator, stated clerk, judiciary committee, Board of Christian Education and the Committee on the Ministry. He also served in the senate Synod as moderator, Board of Christian Education and the judiciary committee.
His service in the general assembly included the committee of cooperative work, the Board of Christian Education and vice moderator on three occasions.
Survivors include three sons, Joe Ferguson of Cooksville, Tenn.; Dave Ferguson of Loudon, Tenn.; and Brad Ferguson of the United States Air Force; his mother, Len Ferguson of Oklahoma City; a brother, Mark Ferguson of Columbus; four grandchildren, 4 step-children and seven step-grandchildren.
Memorials may be sent to the board of education of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1978 Union Avenue, Memphis, TN 38104, in memory of Rev. Jack Ferguson of CPC-Jefferson, Texas.
Frank Norvel Fleetwood, 86
Feb 17, 2005
Frank Norvel Fleetwood, the son of Curtis and Rebecca Addeline (McRaven) Fleetwood, was born Jan. 27, 1919, and passed from this life Feb. 15, 2005, in Ava, at the age of 86 years. Frank was a resident of Ava for most of his life.
Frank worked in the timber, owned and operated sawmills. In his retirement years he has recycled metal, he enjoyed working, but his greatest joy was his music and dancing. He wrote several songs, sang and taped them for his friends and family. He enjoyed his life to the fullest and was always ready to lend a helping hand. Frank had a very caring and loving personality.
On Nov. 19, 1940, Frank and Retha Hicks were united in marriage in Mtn. Grove, Mo., and to this union, six children were born, four sons, Paul and wife Wanda, Marvin and wife Sybil, David (Bob) and wife Shirley, all of Ava, and John of Neosho; one daughter, Gerelene and husband Clinton McFarlin, Jacksonville, Florida; 20 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren.
Frank and Joyce Harper were married in 1980, he is survived by a step-daughter, Tammy Pearce; and three step-grandchildren from this marriage.
Frank is survived by his long time companion, Alberta Myers; her beloved children, Linda Woods, of Ava, Robert and Randy Myers, Kansas City, Mo., David Myers, Virginia, Myra Lawrence, Florida; 11 step-grandchildren; and five step great-grandchildren.
Also surviving is a sister, Pearl Evans, Ava; two brothers, Francis Fleetwood, of Forsyth, and Albert Fleetwood, of Florida.
He was preceded in death by an infant son, Tommy; his parents; two sisters, Delvie Harvey and Gertie Tate; two brothers, Ira and Marion Fleetwood.
Services will be at 2 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 19, in the Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava, with the Rev. Larry Vinson officiating. Interment will be in the Ava Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday, 6-7 p.m., in the funeral home. Services are under the direction of the Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava.
Lorraine Lynn Brown, 45
Feb 17, 2005
Lorraine Lynn Brown, the daughter of Elaine Fleming Coonts and Roger Brown, was born March 7, 1959, in Rochelle, Ill., and went to be with her Savior on Feb. 11, 2005, at the age of 45 years.
Lorraine was a resident of the Ava area for the past seven years, moving here from New York. Lorraine was employed as a clerk and worked for the H. D. Lee Factory and was a Christian. Lorraine was a very caring person and friendly to everyone and she enjoyed music.
Lorraine is survived by her daughter, Veronica Tyler, New York; three grandchildren, Joshua, Zackary, Emma; her mother, Elaine Coonts and husband James, Ava; her father, Roger Brown, and wife Georgianne, Ava; maternal grandmother, Thelma Fleming, New York; one brother, Brian Brown, Washington; two sisters, Melissa Howell, Nixa and Serena Merriman, Theodosia; two step-brothers, Jim and Kevin Coonts, Davenport, Iowa; two step-sisters, Pam Reed, South Carolina and Debbie Geedings, Kentucky; several aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Services were held Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2 p.m., in the Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava, with Rev. Vernon Fuller officiating. Interment followed in the Denney Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Kidney Foundation.
Margaret Y. Wigger, 55
Feb 17, 2005
Margaret Yvonne "Mather" Wigger, 55, of Edwardsville, Kans., passed away Feb. 13, 2005, at the Overland Park Regional Medical Center.
Graveside services will be 1 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 17, at the Thornfield Cemetery, Thornfield. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Olathe Deaf Cultural Center, 455 E. Park, Olathe, KS 66061.
Mrs. Wigger graduated from the Kansas School for the Deaf in Olathe in 1969, and was a member of the greater Kansas City Association of the Deaf. She worked as a product inspector for Artex from 1978 until her retirement in 1995.
She is preceded in death by her father, Emerson Mather.
Survivors include her daughter, Yvonne Rentschler, and her husband Rick, Olathe, Kans.; mother, Lola Isabelle Mather, Kansas City, Kans.; brother, Basil Mather, Kansas City, Kans.; and two grandchildren, Halie and Holly.
