Linda Fay Palmer Merrit daughter of the late John Wesley Palmer Jr. and Dorothy Beatrice Robinson Palmer was born on August 8, 1948 in Poplar Bluff, Missouri and departed this life on July 11, 2024 at her brothers residence in Bernie, Missouri, surrounded by her beloved family at the age of 75.
Linda Fay was a member of the Community of Christ Church in Bernie and was a resident of Bernie. She was the matriarch of the Palmer family. She treated all her nieces and nephews, and great-nieces and great-nephews as her own children and grandchildren. She was a wealth of knowledge and the valedictorian of her graduating class. Her family enjoyed sitting around a table with her, and listening to her recall family stories and memories. She constantly researched her family ancestry and would share that information with the rest of her family. She enjoyed traveling and learning about the local history and customs of the places she visited, in her younger years with her husband.
She was united in marriage to Frank Burnside Merritt on January 8, 1974 in Arlington, Virginia. Mr. Merritt preceded her in death on July 15, 2015.
She is survived by her brothers, Larry Palmer of Bloomfield, Missouri, John Palmer and wife Sheri of Bernie, Missouri, and Randy Palmer and wife Vivian of Tampa, Florida; by her sisters, Sandra Kay Cryts and Sally Cloninger both of Bernie, Missouri, and Brenda Smith and husband Larry of Bloomfield, Missouri; by her granddaughter, Savannah Merritt of Poplar Bluff, Missouri; and she was the beloved Aunt to many nieces, nephews and great nieces and great-nephews; and by many more extended family and friends.
Other than by her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her son, Jeremy Merritt; by two brothers, Ronald Gene Palmer Sr., and Jackie Wayne Palmer Sr.; by three sisters, Rita Burch, Linda Jane Ford, and Debra Kay Palmer; and by her step mother, Annie Lee Farr Palmer.
A Celebration of Life service will be conducted at a later date. Mathis Funeral Home in Bernie, Missouri is assisting the family with arrangements.
Ricky James Long, son of the late Rodney and Margaret Long, was born on July 4th, 1953, in Stoddard County, Advance, Missouri, and departed this life on July 11, 2024, at Memory Lane in Dexter, Missouri, at the age of 71 years.
Ricky was an affectionate, dedicated, hard-working man who excelled as a guitarist, musician, gospel singer, artist, and a devoted worshiper of God, who always put the needs of others ahead of his own.
Ricky is survived by his daughter Katherine Willard of Dexter, Missouri; by his step-son, Dustin Ladd and wife Jennifer of Springfield, Missouri; by his adopted son, Wendall Anderson Long; by his mother, Margret Long of Chaffee, Missouri; by his brothers, Randy and Ronald Long of Bell City, Missouri; by two sisters, Mary Beth Long of Scott City, Missouri, and Tammy Long of Chaffee, Missouri; by three grandchildren, Cara Weathers and husband Jessie, Rebecca Mattison and husband Brett, and Wendall Ladd; and by three great-grandchildren, Sophia Fuget, Elena Fuget, and Roper Fuget.
He was preceded in death by his Father, Rodney Long; by his sister, Deborah Surface; by his wife, Betty Ann Long.
Visitation will be held at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Monday July 15, 2024, from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. Funeral services will then be conducted at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Monday July 15, at 2:00 p.m. with Bro. Dale Holman officiating. Interment will follow in the Morgan Memorial Park Cemetery in Advance, Missouri.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is assisting with arrangements.
James Henry Cook, son of Frank Cook of Bernie, Missouri and the late Estell Manes Cook was born on June 22, 1955, in Arkansas and departed this life on July 11, 2024, at the age of 69.
James had driven a truck most of his life and enjoyed his work. He loved watching football, especially local high school football and the Tennessee Titans.
On November 1, 2008, in Sikeston, Missouri he was united in marriage to Georgia Melton. Mrs. Cook survives of their home in Sikeston.
Other than by his wife and father he is survived by two sons, James Thomas Cook and Jordan Melton both of Sikeston, Missouri; by his daughter, Michelle Carter of Sikeston, Missouri; by two brothers, Robert Cook and his wife Mona of New Madrid, Missouri and Paul Cook and his wife Kim of Malden, Missouri; by his sister, Linda Fowler and her husband John of Modesto, California; by eight grandchildren, Alysa Cook, Anthony Cook, David Carter, Nicolas Carter and wife Paige, Jordan Melton Jr., Nathaniel Melton, Karinna Melton and Jaylen Carter; and by two great-grandchildren, Kehlani Russell and Easton Carter.
Other than by his mother, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Debbie Cook on October 20, 2002; and by two sisters in infancy, Brenda and Sue Cook.
A Celebration of Life service will be planned for a later date.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter, Missouri is assisting the family with arrangements.
Mr. Edward Lee Kersey, a beloved resident of Springfield, Missouri, passed away on June 30, 2024, at his home. He was born on February 14, 1945, in Dexter, Missouri, to Ray Edward and Dorothy Faye (Black) Kersey.
Edward married Patricia Elaine Jarrell and remained married until the time of her passing in December of 2013.
Edward was known for his fun and outgoing personality that extended him to everyone he met. He proudly served in the United States Army, leaving a lasting impact on all who served alongside him.
Edward was an avid outdoorsman, he found joy in hunting, fishing, gardening, planting trees, and playing in the river. His love for music was showcased through his talent in playing the guitar. One of his proudest accomplishments was attaining a first-degree black belt.
Edward is survived by his two daughters, Mara Li Craig of Bolivar, Missouri, and Laura Lane Kutz of Rogersville, Missouri. He is also survived by his two brothers: Terry Jerrell of Phoenix, Arizona; Verlin Kersey of Colorado Springs, Colorado; and two sisters: Anita Billingsley of Lowndes, Missouri; Loretta Mitchell of Little Rock, Arkansas. Additionally surviving him are two grandchildren and one great-grandchild. A host of extended family members and friends also mourn the loss of this remarkable individual.
He was predeceased in death by his parents, his wife, and one brother Wayne.
Services to celebrate the life of Edward Lee Kersey will be held on July 12, 2024. A visitation will take place at Watkins Funeral Homes - Dexter starting at 12:00 PM followed by a Memorial Service at Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield at 2:00 PM.
In honoring Edward's memory, we remember a man who touched many lives with his warmth and kind spirit. He will be deeply missed but forever cherished by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.
Wendell "Darren" Hardin started his life here on earth August 31, 1971. He was the youngest child of Howard Lyle Hardin and Mary Vivian (Crain) Hardin of Parma, Missouri.
Darren started his eternal life on July 8, 2024, at Mercy Hospital in Cape Girardeau, Missouri at the age of 52 years.
Darren was preceded in death by his father Howard Lyle Hardin on October 18, 2005, His beloved brother Kenneth Franklin Beck on October 27, 1979, and his only niece Kristy Sutton Howell on November 6, 2021.
Darren is survived by his mother Mary Hardin of Bernie, MO. His two sisters Tonja (Stan) Pulling of Mountain View, MO and Lisa (Don) Kirk of Parma, MO. His only Great Nephew Christopher Sutton of Malden, MO. and Best Friend of many years Roy Rickman of Bernie, MO. Darren will also be missed by his other family members and a host of friends.
Darren was a unique character all to himself. He was smart and could quote movie scenes word for word, being very dramatic. He was also very funny at times, but he mostly lived his life his way! He will forever be loved and missed by many.
There will be a graveside service held at the Bernie Cemetery on Saturday July 13, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. all family and friends are welcome to attend.
The family has requested in lieu of flowers please make donations to:
