Billy Lee Pippins passed away on May 24, 2016, at the Country Club Care Facility in Warrensburg, MO. Bill was born on August 10, 1930 in Bernie, MO, the son of Rube and Ruby Pippins. 

His wife of 65 years, Mary Ellen, preceded him in death as well as his brother, Charles Ray Pippins.  He is survived by 2 children, Bill Pippins and wife, Karen Marie Pippins of Stillwater,OK and Nancy Pippins Rogers and her husband Ivan of Warrensburg, MO.  He also is survived by 3 grandchildren and one great grandchild.

Grandchildren include , Matthew Pippins and wife Hollie of Dexter, MO, Amanda Corbett of Warrensburg, MO and Matthew Rogers of Warrensburg, MO.  His great grandchild is Spencer Grace Pippins, daughter of Matt and Hollie Pippins.   He also is survived by many nieces and nephews.

Bill was a retired farmer.  He was a third generation farmer, having been given the gift of loving the land.  Bill farmed up until 2002 and retired to live in Dexter.

Bill served in the Army for 3 years and was in the National Guard for several more years.  Bill and several of his high school friends enjoyed their days drilling from the old armory in Dexter.  Bill had a love for auto racing from which included many trips to Nascar Tracks and modified dirt tracks in Missouri and surrounding states.  He and Mary Ellen still talked about their week in Daytona years ago.  

Bill was a member and past elder of the First Christian Church, in Dexter, as well as serving on the board for several years.  Bill was very proud to have been asked to farm the “Church Farm” SE of Dexter for many years.  Bill served on the Dexter School Board and the MFA Oil State Board for many years.  He was a very private man when it came to business but opened his heart to many people in the community.  He loved God, Family, his county and many friends.  He now has joined his bride of 65 years.

Funeral Services will be conducted at the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home on Friday, May 27, 2016.

Visitation will be at 11:00 am with the funeral service at 1:00 pm.  Reverend Michael Williams of the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) will officiate. 

Burial will be at the Stoddard County Veteran’s Cemetery near Bloomfield following the funeral service.

The family wishes that any memorials be made to the Memorial Fund of the First Christian Church, 224 East Stoddard, Dexter, MO 63841 or Serenity Hospice, 1626 E. Elm Street Harrisonville, MO 64701.

CONSUELLA MAE ‘CONNIE’ GIER MICHAEL, Age 96, died Sunday, May 22, 2016, at her home in Charleston.

She was born December 9, 1919, at Brookfield, MO, to the late Artie Lawrence and Clessie Pearl Brown Gier, and lived in Brookfield where she was a member of the Bear Branch United Methodist Church. Her family left Brookfield in the Great Depression in search of work and, settled in Blodgett, MO, where she was a graduate of the Blodgett High School.

She had been employed with the Brown Shoe Company and then later as a representative with Tupperware. A member of the United Methodist Church of Charleston, she was 61 year member of the Order of the Eastern Star having been initiated into the organization on May 23, 1955. On June 29, 2005, she received her 50 year pin.

Active in all levels of the Eastern Star organization, she was a member of the Charleston, MO Chapter until its closing and then joined with Chapter 137 at Sikeston. She served as Worthy Matron numerous times, District Deputy, Grand Matron, Missouri Grand Representative of Kentucky in 1969, was named a Kentucky Colonel on May 27, 1971, a Duchess of Paducah on June 17, 1972 and the Missouri Grand Ruth in 1972.

On January 17, 1944, she married Max Lee Michael, Sr., who preceded her in death on December 30, 2012.

Surviving is two sons, Max L. Michael, Jr. and Ronnie Michael both of Charleston; 6 grandchildren and a number of great grandchildren.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Harold Gier and Lawrence J. Gier.

Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m., Friday, May 27, 2016 at the McMikle Funeral Home in Charleston where Eastern Star rites will follow. Don Merideth of Charleston will offer scripture and prayer.

Interment will follow in the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery at Bloomfield under the direction of the McMikle Funeral Home in Charleston.

Online condolences may be shared at www.mcmiklefuneralhome.com

Myrtle Adams was born December 19, 1933 in Steele, Missouri, the only child of  the late, John and Vivian (Mitchell) Jones, and passed away May 24, 2016 at 2:17 A.M. in Bernie, at the age of 82.

She was married February 24, 1954 to Willard Adams of Caruthersville, Missouri.  They were married for 62 years.
 
She is survived by her husband, two children, Blaine Adams of New Franklin, Missouri and Lynn Averett & husband Marty of Dexter, Missouri.  Four grandchildren, Jordan Averett & wife Candi, Colton Averett, Andrew Adams and Rachel Adams; by one Great-granddaughter, Frankie Averett.
 
After graduation from Steele High School she went to work at the National Bank in Caruthersville, Missouri.  She worked there until their first child was born.  She then became a stay at home wife & mother for their two children until they moved to Bernie, Missouri and she went to work at the First Community Bank and worked there for 16 years until she retired in 1995.
 
She was a member of the Northside Baptist Church where she was blessed with a wonderful church family and many friends.
 
Friends may call at Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Bernie, Missouri on Wednesday, May 25, 2016 from 5:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M.  

Funeral services will be conducted in the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Chapel in Bernie, on Thursday Morning, May 26, 2016 at 11:00 A.M. with Rev. Tim Ingle officiating.  

Interment will follow in the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield, Missouri.  Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in charge of all arrangements.

Carolyn Sue Badgett Latimore - Age 78, died Monday, May 16, 2016, at her home in Sikeston.

Born September 26, 1937, at Diehlstadt, MO, to the late James Franklin and Hazel Marie Layne Badgett, Carolyn was the Salutatorian of her graduating class at Diehlstadt High School. She had lived in Dexter a number of years where she was a member of the West Side Baptist Church and sang in a ladies trio that often included her daughters. She later moved to Sikeston where she was a member of the Sikeston Community Church. She was a devoted and dedicated wife, mother and grandmother, who loved her family.

On June 3, 1955, she married John M. Latimore, who preceded her in death July 4, 2014.

Surviving are two daughters, Regina Latimore (Danny) Kirkman of Sikeston and Laurie Elizabeth Latimore Moore of Dexter; one sister, Helen Hilgendorf of Cape Girardeau; two grandchildren, Conner Lynn Moore and Colton Glin Moore; two great grandchildren, Jayda Elizabeth Shafer and Carson Glin Moore.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by a great grandson, David Michael Shafer.

Graveside services were conducted at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, May 19, 2016, at the Maynard Cemetery near Diehlstadt. The Rev. Dr. Rickey Anderson of Sikeston, officiated.

Interment followed under the direction of the McMikle Funeral Home of Charleston.

Online condolences may be shared at www.mcmiklefuneralhome.com

Memorials may be made to: Sikeston Humane Society, 1900 Compress Road, Sikeston, Mo., 63801