Merry Phyllis Hodge of Jackson, Missouri was born on December 25, 1947, to the late Charles and Mary (Hatton) Ash in Caruthersville, Missouri, and passed away on May 1, 2025 in Cape Girardeau, Missouri at the age of 77.
On March 21, 1986, Phyllis Ash and Gary Hodge were united in marriage in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, and he survives of the home.
Phyllis lived in Southeast Missouri for the majority of her life and had attended Christ Gospel Church for 55 years before her passing. She loved to crochet and sew, being involved in the church, reading the bible, spending time with her family and grandchildren, and she even earned a masters degree from a bible college while struggling with lupus. She was the last child of 13 children to be born.
Surviving family include her loving husband of nearly 40 years, Gary Hodge of Jackosn, Missouri, her children, Larry “Dewayne” Dunning, of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, Glenn Hodge, of Puxico, Missouri, Jamie Hodge, of Dexter, Missouri, Barb Scott, of Jackson, Missouri, Tammie Angel, of Oak Ridge, Missouri, and Sherry Trout, of Puxico, Missouri, 11 grandchildren: Megan, Brandon, Cory, Jesse, Taylor, Brad, Logan, Nathan, Ethan, Nicole, and Sherrie, 9 great grandchildren, and her siblings, Flora Cooley, of Pace, Florida, and Lynnie Cannon, of Cottage Hill, Illinois.
Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents, and her siblings, James Ash, Stephen “Jack” Ash, and Evelyn Null.
The visitation will be on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, beginning at 11 A.M. at the Watkins and Sons Funeral Home in Puxico, Missouri.
The funeral will be on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, beginning at 1 P.M. at the Watkins and Sons Funeral Home in Puxico, Missouri.
Internment will follow at the Brown Cemetery near Puxico, Missouri.
Watkins and Sons is handling all arrangements.
Charles “Mike” Payne, 69, of Poplar Bluff, MO, passed away Saturday, May 3, 2025 at his residence in Poplar Bluff. Mr. Payne was born September 17, 1955, son of the late Charles and Robbie Payne (née Webb).
Mike graduated from Twin Rivers in 1973 and liked staying in touch with his classmates over the years and attending class reunions. He enjoyed being outdoors and especially loved spending time with his grandson and great grandchildren. One of his favorite pastimes was drinking coffee at the coffee shop with the guys.
On May 17, 1974 he married Cherie Elizabeth Johnson Payne. She survives. Also surviving are two children: Stacey (Doug) Payne Anderson and Erin (James) Payne Johnson, both of Poplar Bluff; one grandson: Holden Payne; two great-grandchildren: Haisleigh and Auxlynn Payne; two sisters: Debbie (Paul) Schuerger of Poplar Bluff and Sondra (Steve) Slusher of Fisk; and nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Mike was also preceded in death by one great grandchild.
Visitation will begin at 6:00 PM on Wednesday, May 7, 2025 at White-Sanders Funeral Home in Fisk. Funeral services will be at 11:00 AM on Thursday in the funeral home chapel with Rev. Jim Sanders officiating. Burial will follow at Brown Chapel Cemetery in Broseley. Condolences: whitesandersfuneralhome.com
Mrs. Cathy Rena Gromer Bordelon, age 69 of Dry Prong, Louisiana entered eternal rest on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at Rapides Regional Hospital.
Visitation for Cathy will be held on Friday, May 2, 2025, from 5:00-6:30 pm at Bentley United Pentecostal Church. Services will be held at 6:30 pm at the church with Reverand Bruce Maxwell officiating. She will then be flown to Missouri for burial.
Cathy is preceded in death by her daughter, Julie Bordelon; parents, Howard and Lillie Gromer; and brothers, Billy Howard and Mackie Randale Gromer.
Those left to cherish her memories are her husband, Merrick Bordelon; sons, David Charles, Clint Aymond, and Joseph Bordelon; daughters, Jackie R. Charles, Nicole St. Romain, and Susan Lemoine; grandchildren, John Charles, Kyle Charles, Jayme Turner, Sean Turner, Shyann Charles, Caitlin Charles, Valerie Charles, Sage Bordelon, Emily Bordelon, Melody Bordelon, Jase St. Romain, Ella Reeses Aymond, and Remi Bordelon; great grandchildren, Leilani, Ryatt, and Shyloh Charles; and sisters, Lisa Delrie and Betty Lewis.
Cathy enjoyed traveling to the mountains, fishing, and camping. She enjoyed being outside and working with her flowers. She also enjoyed painting and redoing furniture. Her favorite past time was spending time with her family. She also enjoyed spoiling her fur-baby, Mikey. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend and will be missed by all that knew and loved her.
A graveside service will be held on Thursday, May 8th, 2025 at the Essex, Cemetery near Essex, Missouri at 1 P.M.
Watkins and Sons Funeral Home is handling all arrangements.
Stephen Carroll Cookson, educator and public servant, passed away surrounded by loved ones on April 28, 2025, at the age of 66. Born June 26, 1958 in Dallas, Texas to Carroll and Rozelle Cookson, the family moved to Advance in 1966. Steve later settled in Poplar Bluff, Missouri with his wife Joy where he touched many lives through his dedication to education and public service.
Steve’s academic achievements began with his graduation with honors from Advance High School in 1976, earning degrees from Three Rivers Community College in 1978, College of the Ozarks in 1980, and Southeast Missouri State. He dedicated his professional life to education as a teacher and coach at several schools including Washburn, Puxico, South Iron, Dyersburg TN, and East Carter County. He later took on leadership roles as Principal at Doniphan and Norwood, eventually serving as Superintendent of Naylor Schools where he received the Missouri “New Superintendent of the Year” award from MASA. As chairman of the Three Rivers Community College Board of Trustees, he spearheaded a major scholarship program benefiting students of the region. Steve also served on the board of the Missouri Association of Rural Education, MSHSAA Administrative Advisory Committee, the state Beta Clubs Administrative Council, and the College of the Ozarks Alumni board.
Steve’s commitment to education extended beyond the classroom as he served in the Missouri State Legislature representing District 153 from 2010 to 2018. Recognizing the integral role that small schools play in rural communities, he sat on the Joint Committee on Education, and served as Chair of both the Elementary and Secondary Education committee and the Higher Education committee, working tirelessly for the improvement of educational standards and funding in the state.
Steve’s other Missouri legislative and civic contributions were immense. He sat on several committees advocating for rural communities, including Children and Families, Tourism and Natural Resources, Transportation, and Trade and Tourism. He led his legislative colleagues as the Vice Chair of the Missouri Sportsmen's Caucus and was a member of the National Rifle association, National Wild Turkey Federation, Ducks Unlimited, Missouri Farm Bureau, Missouri Retired Teachers Association, and the Ripley County Retired Teachers Association.
Steve was also an active member of the Church of Christ. His faith guided his life and work, including his advocacy for organ donation through Donate Life. As an organ transplant recipient himself, he worked diligently to sponsor and pass legislation that supported this cause, leaving a lasting legacy of generosity and hope.
Steve was known for his adventurous spirit, often exploring the Ozarks and discovering new paths way off the beaten track. An avid outdoorsman, he found joy in the natural beauty surrounding him. He revered the Ozarks above all and cared deeply about preserving Missouri cultural traditions. He apprenticed under master artist Cecil Murray building wooden river John boats and hand carving sassafras paddles for the National Park Service, carrying on an art form that is now rare but vital to Ozark riverways heritage.
A standout athlete, Steve was a proud member of the 1975 Advance State Champion Basketball Team coached by his father. He later played for legendary Coach Gene Bess as a member of the Three Rivers Raiders team that placed third in the nation in 1978. His passion for basketball continued throughout his life. He could often be spotted at games with family members supporting various local teams, most recently following the Bernie Mules and cheering on #15.
He is survived by his wife, Joy Cookson; his son, Tyler (Molly) Cookson, his sisters Lesa (Jon) Murray and Lorie (Don) Grossheider; uncle Ronnie (Dee) Cookson; nieces and nephews Kyle (Amber) Murray, Katie (Philip) Klaproth, Clint Daniel Pogue Abby (Cyle) Huck and Neal (Kori) Grossheider; cousins Karen (Roger) Brown, Janell Hill, Jeff (Debbie) Ridenour, Cliff (Tom) Ridenour, Julie Ridenour, Jay Cookson, Brad (Christie) Cookson, Bruce (Karen) Underwood, Gary (Marie) Underwood. Preceding him in death are his parents Carroll and Rozelle Cookson; uncles and aunts J.T. (Phyllis) Cookson, Ancel (Doris) Cookson, Rena Mable (Quentin) Ridenour; and cousins, Joey Cookson and Linda Jorgensen.
Steve’s memory will live on in the hearts of those who knew him, as a man of integrity, kindness, and unwavering dedication to his family, community, state and faith.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, May 3, 2025, from 5:00-8:00 PM at Morgan Funeral Chapel in Advance, MO. A funeral service and interment will be held on Sunday, May 4, 2025, at 2:00 PM at the Brown General Baptist Church north of Puxico on Country Road 275.
Memorial may be made to Donate Life America.
Anna Elizabeth Howard Brock, daughter of the late Cecil Howard and Ruth (Shelton) Howard was born on August 5, 1939 in Clarkton, Missouri an departed her life on Monday, April 28, 2025 in Cape Girardeau, Missouri at the age of 85 years.
On August 24, 1958 she was united in marriage to Ernest “Bo” Brock in Clarkton, Missouri. Mr. Brock survives of the home in Scott City.
She graduated from Clarkton High School and continued her graduate and post graduate education at Southeast Missouri State University. Anna was a long-time member of the First Baptist Church in Scott City formally attending Oak Grove Baptist Church near Clarkton, Missouri.
Besides her husband, survivors include one son, Michael (Connie) Brock of Scott City; three grandchildren, Ryan (Addie) Brock of Cape Girardeau, Brandon Brock and Jonathan Brock both of Scott City, Missouri; a caring niece, Diane (Dick) Dixon; and several nieces and nephew.
Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by one son, John (Matt) Brock, two brothers, Kenneth and Kloyce Howard; one sister, Cecilia Stoelting.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 1, 2025 from 4:00 until 8:00 PM at the Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Scott City. Funeral services will be conducted on Friday, May 2, 2025 at 1:00 PM in the Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel with Rev. Jeremy Sells and Pastor Mark Fisher officiating. Interment will follow in the Oak Grove Cemetery near Clarkton on Monday, May 5, 2025. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Scott City Baptist Church Building Fund, Oak Grove Cemetery Fund, or a charitable choosing.
