Missouri, U.S., Marriage Records, 1805-2002
Jesse Leroy Graham, 89
May 10, 2007
Jesse Leroy Graham, 89, Ava, passed away Sunday, May 6, 2007.
He was born Aug. 14, 1917, the son of Sam and Rose Strong Graham.
On July 19, 1941, he was united in marriage to Lola Malissa Wright in the Douglas County courthouse.
Jesse answered the call of his country and proudly served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He was involved in several battles in Italy and Africa and received a number of medals for his service.
He was simply known as Jess to Ava area friends. Jess was always ready to help a neighbor or friend, and everyone he met was a neighbor or friend to him. He retired after 19 years as a maintenance man at the Ava school system, and was always willing to help young people and listen to their concerns. He also worked at several other places as a maintenance worker, including Sentinel. His ability to repair about anything always gave him something to do and someone to help.
He was fascinated by clocks and often made repairs to them.
He loved to go places and meet people, but perhaps his favorite place to go was church or a gospel singing. He passed on a deep faith in Jesus Christ as his personal savior to his family and friends.
Jess was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, Otis Graham, Oscar Graham and Ike Graham; and three sisters, Cora Reynolds, Margaret Hildebrand and Dora Brooks. He was also preceded in death by a special great-grandson, Russell Keith Graham.
Jess is survived by his wife, Lola, of the home; two sons, Darrell and wife, Sue Graham, and Dale and wife, Pam Graham; four daughters, Wanda and husband, David Worden, Shirley Massengale, Janice and husband, Larry Unger, and Carolyn and husband, Steve Kingsley; and a foster son, Gerald and wife, Shirley Long. He is also survived by 21 grandchildren; 41 great-grandchildren; and a host of friends and relatives.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, May 9, at Ava Assembly of God Church with interment following in the Ava Cemetery with full military honors.
All arrangements were under the care and direction of Ava Family Funeral Home.
Esther Sallee, 88
May 10, 2007
Esther Sallee, the daughter of Jacob Sheridan Sallee and Addie Jane (Gladden) Sallee, was born May 31, 1918, and departed this life May 2, 2007, at the age of 88.
Esther was a lifelong resident of the Longrun area until moving to Ava 15 years ago. Esther was a homemaker and farmer. She was saved and joined the Igo Church in 193l and was a Sunday school teacher for many years.
Esther was an avid quilter and produced many fine quilts even during her long stay at the nursing home. In her later years, she took up oil painting and bingo. Esther loved her nephews and great-nephews and nieces as her own children.
Esther was preceded in death by her parents, one brother, Leslie Sallee, one sister, Atha Silvey, a great-niece, Kathy Silvey, and great-great-niece, Josie Daniels.
She is survived by two nephews, Hestel and Alice Silvey, Kissee Mills, and Haskell "Jake" Silvey, Bradleyville; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Services were held at 2 p.m. Friday, May 4, in the Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava, with the Rev. Doyle Turner officiating.
Interment followed in the Griffith True Vine Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the Griffith Cemetery.
Ernest "Glenn" McGee Jr., 69
May 10, 2007
Ernest Glenn McGee Jr., son of Ernest Glenn McGee Sr. and Nellie Jane Knuckles McGee, was born on May 10, 1937 in Piggot, Ark., and departed this life on May 6, 2007, in Pontiac, at the age of 69.
Glenn was a resident of the Ava community for 25 years, moving from the Almartha community.
On April 3, 1958, Glenn and Iva Jones were united in marriage in Tijuana, Mexico, and to this union, two sons were born.
Glenn owned and operated, along with his wife, Iva, the Almartha Saddle Repair Shop on Highway 5 in Ava. He also had worked for Rockwell International for 22 years in California in the Aero Space Division before moving to Missouri.
In his early years in California, he enjoyed dirt biking and dune buggies. Glenn enjoyed quail and deer hunting and on weekends he enjoyed the houseboat, even in the winter. He also enjoyed fishing and yearly trips to Laughlin, Nev., to see his sister Jean.
He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Billy Clay and Arnold Ray, and one sister, Sherry Dean.
He is survived by his wife, Iva, of the home in Ava; two sons and their spouses, Allen D. and Melinda McGee, and Roy E. and Debora McGee, all of Ava; three grandchildren, Kathleen, Shaun and Brandon; one sister, Jean Kelly, Torrance, Calif.; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Services for Glenn were Wednesday, May 9, at 10 a.m. at the Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava, with the Rev. Oren Alcorn officiating.
Interment followed in the Ava Cemetery.
Eva Garrison, 83
May 3, 2007
Eva Garrison, the daughter of Charles Arthur Gifford and Mary (Keele) Gifford, was born Sept 27, 1923 in Kane, Wyo., and departed this life April 27, 2007, at the age of 83.
Eva was a longtime resident of the Ava area.
On Dec. 20, 194l Eva and James Edward Garrison were united in marriage at Dogwood. Eva and Edd were blessed with five children.
Eva was employed as an assembly line operator for many years with Rawlings Sporting Goods. She taught Sunday school for many years and was a devoted church worker. Eva was a member of the Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church. She loved her family, the farm and flowers. Eva wrote the Fairview news items for the Douglas County Herald for many years.
Eva was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, a daughter, Mary E. Dinwiddie, one grandson, Bradley Lawson, one granddaughter, Stacey Lawson, two great-grandsons, Shelby Snyder and Jessie Levan, one sister, Amanda Gifford, and two brothers, James and Charles Gifford.
Survivors include, three daughters, Joyce I. Duke, Ozark, Janice Stewart and husband Steve, Springfield, and Edna Lawson, Springfield; one son, J.R. Garrison and wife, Pam, Seymour; one son-in-law, Leslie Dinwiddie of Florida; 15 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; one sister who was raised by Eva from an infant, Clarice B. Williams and husband, Bob, Springfield; two sisters, Ellen Moody and husband, Nolan, Longmont, Colo., and Priscilla Bowers and husband, Gene, Springfield; two brothers, Paul Gifford, Cabool, and Joe Keele and wife, Sharron, Cody, Wyo.; one sister-in-law, Nola Gifford, Ava; and many friends and neighbors.
Services were held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, May 1, in the Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava, with the Rev. Jerry Ragsdale officiating.
Interment followed in the Dogwood Cemetery, Ava.
Memorials may be made to the American Heart Assoc. or Alzheimer's Association.
Clifford L. Bannister, 74
May 3, 2007
Clifford Leon (C.L.) Bannister, Wasola, passed away Wednesday, April 18, 2007, in the home of his daughter in Maysville.
Clifford was born on May 12, 1932, in Myrtle, Miss., the son of Jim and Dessie Lee (Staks) Bannister.
On April 24, 1950, Clifford was united in marriage with Emily Phillips at Humble, Texas, and to this union, four children were born.
Clifford answered the call of his country and proudly served in the U.S. Marines. Later, he worked in the tool and die industry. He retired after 20 years as a machine shop supervisor and an instructor for oil company equipment. He took great pride in his work.
Clifford also enjoyed spending time with his family and was devoted to his grandchildren. He had never met a stranger and was truly a good friend and neighbor. He was always ready for a game of cards or pool.
Preceding Clifford in death were his parents, Jim and Dessie Lee, his wife, Emily, and one daughter, Phyllis. He was also preceded in death by a brother, John Bannister.
Clifford is survived by two sons, Charles Leon Bannister and his wife, Kay, of Springfield, and Keith Bannister and his wife, Donna, of Mansfield; one daughter, Trena Levonne Bennett, of Maysville; two grandchildren, Synthia Ann Bannister Bishop and Summer Leann Bannister; three brothers, Jimmy Bannister, Sammy Banister, and Joe Bannister; two sisters, Virginia Melton and Mary Ann Adams; and a host of other family members and friends.
Funeral services were conducted in the Ava Family Funeral Home at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 28, with burial following in the Sims Cemetery near Gainesville.
The family has requested in lieu of flowers, that memorial gifts be made to the Comfort Care Hospice.
Alya Grace Barcus, Infant
May 3, 2007
Alya Grace Barcus, infant daughter of Tim Barcus and Alysa Nash Barcus, was born on April 27, 2007 in Springfield, and departed this life on the same day in Springfield.
Alya is survived by her mother and father, Tim and Alysa Barcus, of Willard; maternal grandparents, Dwayne and Teresa Nash, Ava; paternal grandparents, Patty and Bob Clevenhagen, Washington, Mo.; maternal great-grandparents, Don and Reba Nash and Jack and Barbara Breshears, all of Ava; paternal great-grandfather, Burrell Loftin, Ava; maternal great-great-grandfather, Mack Miller; maternal great-great-grandparents, Joe and Goldie Miller, Ava; aunts, Aymee Nash, Ava, Teresa McNeil, Mansfield, and Tammy Coley, Ozark; several cousins and many other relatives and friends.
Alya was preceded in death by her grandfather, Charlie Barcus.
Graveside service was held Tuesday, May 1, at 4 p.m., at Ava Cemetery, Ava, with the Rev. Oren Alcorn officiating.
Joseph H. Wilson, 88
May 3, 2007
Joseph H. Wilson, the son of William H. Wilson and Margarete (Rose) Wilson, was born Nov. 22, 1918, in Pennsylvania, and departed this life April 26, 2007 at the age of 88.
Joseph was a resident of the Ava area for the past 25 years, moving from Pennsylvania. He served his country during World War II with the U.S. Army in the South Pacific. He is a lifetime member of the V.F.W. and American Legion. He was employed as a coal miner in Pennsylvania before retirement. After moving here, he enjoyed living on the farm and doing yard work.
Joseph and Maxine Tracy were united in marriage and to this union, a daughter was born.
Maxine preceded Joseph in death.
He married Melba Clements on Sept. 15, 1989 in Mtn. Home, Ark.
Joseph was also preceded in death by his parents, one brother and two sisters.
He is survived by his wife, Melba, of the home, Ava; a daughter, Joan Nioff, Wimber, Penn.; six stepchildren, Sharon Strong, Ava, Sue Biggs, Pleasant Valley, Larry Clements and Danny Clements, both of Ava, Harlin Clements, Mosby, and Gene Clements, Independence; 16 step-grandchildren; 16 step-great-grandchildren; one sister-in-law, Geneva Tracy, Seymour; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Graveside service was held at 2 p.m. Monday, April 30, in the Ava Cemetery with the Rev. Tom Johnson officiating.
Military services were conducted by the American Legion Post 112 and V.F.W Post 5993.
Memorials may be made to Community Hospice.
Ellis "Whitey" Upshaw, 73
May 3, 2007
A memorial service for Ellis "Whitey" Upshaw, 73, will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday at Church of the Living God in Ava. A musical memorial will be held May 19 at the Wagon Wheel Park south of Mtn. Grove.
Mr. Upshaw passed away April 6, 2007 after a short illness.
Ellis was a member of the Church of the Living God. He loved playing music at church and with the Booger County Bluegrass Band.
He donated his body to a medical school.
