William R. Orrell
William Ralph Orrell, 57, Half Way, died Wednesday, Nov. 3, 1999, in his home after a long illness. He was born March 11, 1942, in Bolivar, the son of William Lee and Amanda Elizabeth Robertson Orrell. In September 1968 he was united in marriage to Shirley May Gilmore, and to this union two children were born, Tonya Lynn and Marilyn Sue. He was a tile setter and a U.S. Army veteran. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Lloyd and Delmer; and one sister, Delma. Survivors include his wife, Shirley M. Orrell of Half Way; two daughters, Tonya Lynn of Half Way and Marilyn Teague and her husband, Mike, of Fair Play; two grandsons, Lance Michael and Brenden Taylor Teague; three brothers, Kenneth Orrell and Dwight Orrell, both of Bolivar, and Charles Orrell of Collins; four sisters, Ruth Rowan of Springfield, Vonda Truelove of Holland, Texas, Norma Smith of Forrest City, Ark., and Velma Gilmore of Pleasant Hope. Graveside services were Saturday, Nov. 6, in the New Bethel Cemetery near Half Way with the Rev. Harold Hendrickson officiating. Music was provided by the Krtek sisters. Casketbearers were John Hogshooter, Darrell Riley, Leon Bartshe, Beeb Herbert, Mike Schleifer and Roger Lee. Arrangements were under the direction of Butler Funeral Home.
Inez V. Ragsdale
Inez V. Ragsdale, 86, Bolivar, died Thursday, Nov. 4, 1999, at Parkview Health Care Facility. She was born May 10, 1913, at Aldrich, the daughter of Harrison and Georgia Needham. She was educated in Polk County schools, attended Southwest Baptist College and taught in county rural schools for a period of time, later working as a bookkeeper for MFA Exchange before retiring. On March 23, 1934, she married Claude Marshall of Bolivar, who preceded her in death. Later she married Ernest Martin of Bolivar, who died Sept. 22, 1987. She and Wayne Ragsdale were married, and he preceded her in death Sept. 25, 1996. Her parents and a sister, Fern, also preceded her in death. She was an active member of Southern Hills Baptist Church as long as her health allowed. The last years of her life were spent in Parkview Health Care Facility. Surviving are a brother, Lee Needham a sister, Ava, and her husband, Keith Stephens and a niece, Carolyn Hall, who cared for her, all of Bolivar; and several other nieces and nephews. Services were Saturday, Nov. 6, 1999, in Pitts Chapel with the Rev. Harold Hendrickson officiating. Burial followed in Greenwood Cemetery.
"Joe" Randles
"Joe" Loren D. Randles, 80, Bolivar, formerly of the Ash Grove area, died Sunday morning, Nov. 28, 1999, in his home. He was born in Carterville and was a lifelong resident of Greene and Polk counties. He was a retired superintendant of Empire District Electric Company, retiring in 1984 after 37 and a half years of service. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II and a member of the Berean Baptist Church. He and Ruby Slatten were united in marriage on Aug. 13, 1938, and they shared 58 years together. Ruby preceded him in death Dec. 1, 1996. He is survived by six sons, Damon, Zenith and Dean, all of Springfield, Bobby of San Antonio, Texas, Mark and Joy, both of Bolivar; three daughters, Trula Pyle of Willard, Trina Randles and Regina Welch, both of Bolivar; 20 grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild; and one sister, Agnes Green of Springfield. Services will be at 2 p.m. today (Wednesday) in Wilson Brim Daniel Chapel, Ash Grove, with the Rev. David Lingo officiating. Interment will follow in Johns Chapel Cememter south of Ash Grove. Military rites will be conducted at graveside.
Barbara Ann Ray
Barbara Ann Owen Ray, 52, Poplarville, Miss., died Tuesday, Nov. 23, 1999, in Forrest General Hospital, Hattiesburg, Miss., of double pneumonia, a complication from cancer. She was born Feb. 28, 1947, in Aldrich, the daughter of Harold Dale and Thelma Dean Owen. She was united in marriage in 1971 in Picayune, Miss., to Jimmie D. Ray. She was a software engineer with Planning Systems Inc., Slidell, La. She graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1969 with a bachelor of science degree in mathematics and received a master's degree in calculus in 1977. She was preceded in death by her father. She is survived by her husband, Jimmie, Poplarville, Miss.; two sons, Jonathan Ray and his wife, Julie, Poplarville, Miss., and Jeffrey Ray, Starkville, Miss.; a daughter, Jaime Ray, Poplarville, Miss.; her mother, Thelma Owen, Springfield; a sister, Judith Owen-Hooper and her husband, Lloyd, Salt Lake City, Utah; a brother, Michael Owen and his wife, Karen, Springfield; her mother-in-law, Inez Youngblood-Ray, Vicksburg, Miss.; two grandsons, Chandler and Camden Ray; and several nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles. Services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4, in Routh Chapel Church, in Dade County near Aldrich off Mo. 215. Inurnment will follow in Routh Chapel Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Ayre-Goodwin-Lee Funeral Home, Springfield. Memorial contributions may be made to the Routh Chapel Cemetery Association.
Agnes H. Roberts
Agnes H. Roberts, 96, Bolivar, died at 1:20 a.m. Monday, Nov. 29, 1999, at Citizens Memorial Hospital after a brief illness. She was born to Harlan and Minerva Hammons on Oct. 7, 1903, in Dunnegan and lived her entire life in Polk County. Her father drowned when she was quite young, and she was reared with love and affection by a devoted Christian mother. She accepted Christ as her personal Saviour at a young age at the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and was baptized at the Bolivar First Baptist Church after moving to Bolivar. She faithfully attended church until ill health interfered. Her early education was received at the Dunnegan Primary School and Humansville High School. She graduated with honors from the Department of Education at Southwest Missouri State Teachers College and received her master's degree in education from the University of Missouri. Southwest Baptist University bestowed the Life Service Award on her in October 1988. Teaching assignments included the King School near Walnut Grove, Humansville, Fair Play and Bolivar as well as Southwest Baptist College. On June 3, 1931, she was united in marriage to Bill Roberts Sr., who preceded her in death June 4, 1984. Survivors include her sons, Bill Roberts Jr. and his wife, Carolyn, Lee Roberts Sr. and his wife, Georgia, as well as 10 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. She was a devoted Christian wife, mother and grandmother who took pride in family spiritual values, integrity and morality. As one who enjoyed math and business figures, she worked as business manager and as a wonderful and valuable work-mate with her husband and sons in the Bolivar automobile dealership which she and her husband co-founded in 1937. Services will be at 2 p.m. today (Wednesday) at Bolivar First Baptist Church with Dr. Harlan Spurgeon officiating. Pallbearers will be Dr. L. Melvin Roberts Jr., Bill Roberts IV, Dr. Fernando Cavero, Dr. Mark Houston, Craig Preston, Matt Roberts and Mark Roberts. Interment will be in Greenwood Cemetery under the direction of Murray Funeral Home. Visitation will be at the church today from 1 p.m. until the time of services. Memorial contributions may be made to the Bill and Agnes Roberts Memorial Scholarship Fund, Southwest Baptist University, 1601 S. Springfield Ave., Bolivar, MO 65613.
Ambie Roberts
Ambie Ellen Roberts, 85, Filmore, Calif., formerly of the Huron and Polk communities, died at 9:17 a.m. Monday, Nov. 15, 1999, in Santa Paula Memorial Hospital, Santa Paula, Calif. She was born July 12, 1914, to Alpha and Lula Lightfoot Vest. She was the widow of Henry Mitchell Roberts, who preceded her in death Dec. 22, 1972. She had been a seamstress and had lived in California for the past 55 years. Services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 20, in Pitts Chapel with burial following in Greenwood Cemetery. Visitation will be from 7 to 8 p.m. Friday in the funeral home.
Clifford L. Roberts
Clifford Leo Roberts, 84, Polk, died Saturday, Nov. 6, 1999, in Citizens Memorial Healthcare Facility. The son of Amos and Martha Payne Roberts, he was born March 10, 1915, at Polk. He was saved as a young boy and was a member of Sentinel Missionary Baptist Church. He was married to Laura Elnora Combs April 14, 1940. She preceded him in death March 15, 1997. He was also preceded in death by his parents and four brothers, Fred, Claud, Jesse and Cleo Roberts. He taught school for two years and worked for several years at Oberman's in Jefferson City, where they manufactured clothing. He was also a farmer. Survivors include three sisters, Annie Walker of Polk, Atha Ragsdale of Kearney and Ada Jump of Bolivar; three brothers, Albert Roberts, Les Roberts and Ester Roberts, all of Polk; and a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives. Services were Monday, Nov. 8, in Murray Chapel, Bolivar, with Bro. Curtis Howard and Bro. Glenn Roberts officiating. Music was by the Glenn Roberts family. Pallbearers were Denzil Roberts, Denton Roberts, David Payne, Dr. Donald Jump, Durward Walker and Leonard Roberts. Interment was in Payne Cemetery.
Connor David Russell
Connor David Russell, infant son of Kitty and Dale Russel, Bolivar, was stillborn Friday, Nov. 12, 1999, in Cox Medical Center, Springfield.
Survivors include his parents; a brother, Dalton Russell of the home; and three sisters, Summer Bedsaul of Corvallis, Ore., Autumn Russell of Pleasant Hope and Katie Russell of the home.
No formal services are planned.
Cremation was under the direction of Pitts Chapel.
Minnie A. Sharp
Minnie Alena Sharp, 69, Morrisville, died at 12:19 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 24, 1999, in Springfield. The daughter of Louis T. and Vivian LaFerne Lyman Roberts, she was born Jan. 30, 1930, in Wishart. On Feb. 12, 1949, she was united in marriage to Leonard Earl Sharp, and to this union, one child was born, Leonard R. Sharp. She attended the Family Worship Center in Morrisville. She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Louis T. Roberts. Survivors include her husband, Leonard E. Sharp of Morrisville; one son, Leonard R. Sharp of Wishart; one brother, Charley R. Roberts of Sutter Creek, Calif.; and two sisters, LaFerne Knapp of Prim, Ark., and Avis Hayes of Pekin, Ill. Services were Saturday, Nov. 27, in Butler Chapel with the Rev. Randy Urich officiating. Music was provided by Ethel Leek, including "Rock of Ages," "Don't it Feel Good" and "More to Go to Heaven For." Casketbearers were Leonard E. Sharp, Rex Sharp, Bradley Knapp, Mike Knapp, Rick Knapp, Allen Hayes, Clint Hayes and Rob Hayes. Burial was in Oakville Cemetery west of Morrisville.
Julia Simmons
Julia Simmons, 83, Bolivar, died at 11:45 a.m. Monday, Nov. 29, 1999, at Cox Medical Center South, Springfield, following a short illness. She was born May 12, 1916, in Polk to Jesse and Maggie Stewart Buckner. She was a homemaker and the widow of Ernest Simmons, who died in October 1981. Survivors include two daughters and a son-in-law, Nadine and Doyle Hopkins and Linda Slagle, all of Bolivar; five brothers, Jesse Buckner of Brighton, Wilburn Buckner of Rockford, Ill., Milburn Buckner and Henry Buckner, both of Buckner, and George Buckner, state of Oklahoma; two sisters, Jewel Coatney of Grain Valley and Lillian DeLuca of Liberty; as well as five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Services were Thursday, Dec. 2, in Pitts Chapel with Bro. Leon Meadows officiating. Arrangements were under the direction of Pitts Chapel.
