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Veda Pruett Beard
Veda Pruett Beard of Memphis, Tenn. and native of Dexter, the daughter of the late David William and Anna Cox Pruett, died Saturday, Dec. 1, 2001 in Memphis. She was co-owner of radio stations KBTM and KBTM-FM in Jonesboro, Ark. In the early days, she performed daily programs of music and dramatic skits and she was assistant manager of the stations. During her radio career, she was nominated for President of the National Association for Women in Radio and Television and at, one time, was president of that organization for the State of Ark. During World War II she was the second woman to receive authority of the Federal Communications Commission to assume management and ownership of a radio station while her husband served in the military service. In her younger life, her talents contributed to the social and musical circles in Dexter. She received many honors including being chosen as Dexter's first "Miss Dexter" in a contest held at the Week's Theater. She was united in marriage to Jay P. Beard of Jonesboro, Ark. in Feb. 1933 and lived there until 1995. Since then she has been a resident of Kirby Pines Retirement Community in Memphis, Tenn. Funeral services will be conducted on Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2001 at 10 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Jonesboro, Ark.
Cloia Simpson
Cloia Simpson, the daughter of the late David and Gertrude Goff Harvey, was born in Avery, Texas on May 13, 1916 and died at the Three Rivers Healthcare South Campus in Poplar Bluff on Dec. 3, 2001, at the age of 85. Mrs. Simpson had lived in Wiener, Ark. for many years before moving to Essex in 1980. She was a member of the Cooper & Haynes General Baptist Church in Wiener. On Sept. 12, 1936 she was married to Russell Simpson in Lake City, Ark., he survives of the home in Essex. Besides her husband, she is survived by one daughter, Norma Jean Burns of Essex; by one grandson, Jerry Triplett, Jr. of Dexter; by one granddaughter, Terry Triplett Adkins of Essex; by two great-granddaughters, Shontie Adkins of Essex and Jessica Triplett of Dexter; by one great-great-grandson, Sloan Adkins of Essex; by one sister, Rosetta Dozer of Saltillo, Miss.; by two brothers, H.V. Harvey of Brookland, Ark. and Fay Harvey of Marked Tree, Ark. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by four brothers, Les, Elmer, Riley and Hugh Harvey. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 5 at 12:50 p.m. in the Essex Cemetery in Essex. Graveside funeral services will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 5 at 1 p.m. in the Essex Cemetery in Essex with Rev. Ernie Rogers of Poplar Bluff officiating. Interment will follow in the Essex Cemetery with Watkins & Sons Funeral Service of Dexter in charge of all arrangements.
Betty B. McFarland
Betty B. McFarland of Sikeston, the daughter of the late August Martin and Luie Elmertie Shell McFarland, was born May 31, 1930 at Goobertown, Ark. and died Nov. 30, 2001 at the Delta Medical Center at the age of 71. Ms. McFarland owned her own childcare business and was a member of the Ladds Chapel Church. She is survived by one brother, Bill McFarland of Marble Hill; and by three sisters, Jane Stogsdill of Bloomfield, Pat Culp of Wickliffe, Ky. and Rosa Williams of St. Louis. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by one brother and three sisters. Visitation was held on Saturday, Dec. 1 from 4 - 8 p.m. at the Liley Funeral Home in Marble Hill. Funeral services were conducted on Sunday, Dec. 2 at 2 p.m. with Rev. Dale McFarland officiating. Interment followed in the Bollinger County Memorial Park Cemetery near Marble Hill. Liley Funeral Home of Marble Hill was in charge of all arrangements.
Charles Hannah
Charles "C.M." Hannah, the son of the late Sarah Carpenter Hannah, was born on March 7, 1913, in Sikeston and died at the Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2003, at the age of 89. Mr. Hannah had lived in Sikeston all of his life. He was a retired farmer and a member of the Sikeston Church of Christ. Mr. Hannah was married to Florene Mays, and she preceded him in death on May 16, 2001. Surviving are one son, Earl Hannah of Sikeston; two grandchildren; two brothers, Eugene Hannah of Pawnee, Ill., Cicel Hannah of Rock Island, Ill.; one sister, Irene Reed of Bloomington, Ill. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Paul and Tony Hannah; and one sister, Florence Heath. Visitation will be held after 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2003, at the Watkins & Sons Funeral Home in Morehouse. Graveside services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2003, in the Garden of Memories Cemetery in Sikeston with Rev. Doyle Corlew of Dexter officiating. Interment will follow in the Garden of Memories Cemetery in Sikeston with Watkins & Sons Funeral Service of Dexter in charge of arrangements.
Sue Swinger
Sue Swinger, 69, of Caruthersville, died Monday, March 17, 2003 at her home, following a lengthy illness. Mrs. Swinger was born March 11, 1934 in Dunklin County, the daughter of Raymond and Imogene Clayton. She married Dr. Terry Swinger on July 17, 1969 in Caruthersville. A florist and interior decorator, Mrs. Swinger was a life-long mental health advocate who was instrumental in bringing alcohol and drug treatment services to the Bootheel region. She served on the Family Counseling Center board of directors from 1980 until her death, serving twice as board president. In 1981, Governor Kit Bond appointed Mrs. Swinger to a five year term on the Missouri Advisory Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse. Mrs. Swinger also dedicated 16 years of service to the Summer Food Program, providing meals to children in Pemiscot, Dunklin and New Madrid Counties. The United States Department of Agriculture honored her service by awarding her with its Outstanding Achievement Award. She also served on the American Foundation for Vision Awareness, the Delta Area Economic Opportunity Corporation (DAEOC) board, the Private Industry Council and the Bootheel Regional Planning and Economic Development Commission. Mrs. Swinger served as a Pemiscot County Health Center trustee and as president of the Caruthersville Chamber of Commerce. She was honored as Caruthersville Woman of the Year in 1978 and Caruthersville Volunteer of the Year in 1979. Mrs. Swinger was a 1951 graduate of Clarkton High School and attended the University of Houston and the Benz School of Floral Design. She lived in Texas, Arkansas, and Florida before settling in Caruthersville in the year of 1962. Music and drama were among her many hobbies, and she directed community theater plays in Kennett, Caruthersville and Hayti. Survivors include her husband; one son, Anthony Swinger of Indianapolis, Ind.; and one daughter, Taleigha Clayton of Jackson, Tenn. Mrs. Swinger was preceded in death by her parents, and one brother and sister. Memorial services were held Tuesday, March 18, 2003 at the Eastwood Memorial United Methodist Church in Caruthersville, with the Rev. Dwight Chapman and the Rev. Dr. Paul Currie officiating. The interment service was held privately, with the Landess Funeral Home of Malden in charge of all arrangements.
Carl E. French
Carl Edison French, youngest son of the late Charles L. and Eliza Cleveland French, was born June 27, 1922 in Stoddard County and died Nov. 15, 2001 in St. Louis at the age of 79. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by four brothers, Ray, John, Van and Roy French and one sister, Ruby Downen. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Virginia Siebke French; by one daughter, Ellen Schmaltz; by one son, Richard French; by five grandchildren; and by two great-grandchildren. Carl graduated from Bloomfield High School. He was an active member of Soldiers and Sailors Memorial American Legion Post #518 and the 20+ Club of the Missouri National Guard. Funeral services were held at Southern Funeral Home in St. Louis on Monday, Nov. 19 with Rev. Shawn L. Kitzing officiating. Interment followed at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis with military honors.
James Leggett
James Fletcher Leggett III, son of the late James Fletcher, Jr. and Thelma Mosley Leggett, was born at Bloomfield on Feb. 13, 1924 and died at the Missouri Southern Healthcare in Dexter on Jan. 17, 2002 at the age of 77. Mr. Leggett spent all his life in the Bloomfield Community. He attended Bloomfield Public School and played Big Band music throughout the country. Music and golf were his two loves. He was united in marriage to Doris Stroup, she survives. Besides his wife, he is survived by one son, James Fletcher Leggett IV of St. Peters, Mo.; one daughter, Susan Shea of Cape Girardeau; two grandchildren; and two step-grandchildren. Memorial services will be held at a later date with Chiles-Cooper Funeral Home of Bloomfield in charge of all arrangements.
Ruth Bailey
Ruth Eleanor Bailey, daughter of the late Orville L. Branam and Letha Mildred Hardenbrook Branam and step-mother, Susie Travers Branam, who raised her from an early age, was born on Oct. 9, 1912 at Champaign, Ill. and died in the Missouri Southern Healthcare in Dexter on Jan. 17, 2002 at the age of 89. Mrs. Bailey was a member of the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Dexter, a former teacher in the Dexter School System, a member of the Dexter Civic Club, Order of Eastern Star #511 and a member of the Missouri Southern Healthcare Auxiliary. She was first united in marriage to Max Clodfelter on Nov. 24, 1936 at Dexter. Mr. Clodfelter preceded her in death on Sept. 28, 1946. She then married E.G. Bailey, Sr. on Nov. 1, 1953 at Dexter. Mr. Bailey preceded her in death on May 23, 1973. Survivors include two sons, Max Clodfelter of Poplar Bluff, Roy Clodfelter of Leitchfield, Ky.; one daughter, Ellen K. Barstad of Dayton, Nev.; one step-son, Dr. E.G. Bailey, Jr. of Dexter; one sister, Maureen Davis of Oklahoma City, Okla.; eight grandchildren, Jennifer Clodfelter, Max Clodfelter, Sharon Wilson, Douglas Perkins, Scott Clodfelter, Richard Clodfelter, Robert Clodfelter and Ryan Clodfelter; and five great-grandchildren. Besides her husbands and parents, she was preceded in death by one daughter, Mary Ruth Perkins; by one grandson, Christopher Wade Clodfelter; and one sister, Reva Norman. Visitation will be held at the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter from 11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 19. Funeral services will be conducted in the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Chapel at 2 p.m. on Jan. 19 with Rev. Vaughn Wright officiating. Interment will follow in the Dexter Cemetery with Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter in charge of arrangements.
