James "Jim" K. Johnson went to be with the Lord Saturday July 27, 2024, at the age of 80. He was born November 16, 1943, in St. Louis, Missouri to the late James Monroe Johnson and Charlotte Johnson Bryant. He was a 1961 graduate of Dexter High School after moving to Dexter from Caruthersville, Missouri his senior year.
He was united in marriage to Glenda Simpson on June 29, 1965, and they recently celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary.
He honorably served in the United States Army from 1965 to 1967. During this time, he was awarded the National Defense Service medal, noted as a Marksman (Rifle) and received the parachutist badge ("jump school") while serving in a medical battalion as a supply sergeant in Germany.
Jim was a bricklayer by trade, known for his very precise handywork throughout the Southeast Missouri area. He was especially proud of his work on the Twin Towers in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. He was a lifelong, self-employed farmer and enjoyed baling hay for friends and neighbors until the last couple of years when his health declined. Many friendships were made over the years at the Johnson Family Strawberry Farm.
He is survived by his wife, Glenda, of the family home in Dexter; three daughters, LaDonna Beers (Sugar Land, TX), Trinka Adkisson (Dave) (Charleston, MO), Charlotte Smith (Daniel) (Jackson, MO); his pride and joy grandchildren, Morgan Gates (Jeff), Haley Garcia, Nolan Smith, Nicolas Smith, and Nathan Smith; two great grandchildren Sage and Hudson; his sister Doris Johnson of Dexter, MO; and other family members. He will be missed by his frisky farm cats.
He was proceeded in death by his parents and step-father, Berbage Bryant.
To honor his wishes there will be no public memorial service.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter assisted with arrangements.
Once upon a time in the sleepy little town of Bloomfield in the year 1922, a pretty, blue-eyed girl was born to the handsome couple, Mr. James and Lillie Julian McGhee. She was added to her older siblings, Marie, Wiley, Tom, and John (Cotton.) Little brother Paul was yet to come.
We will refer to her as “Rita” which is the name she greatly preferred over her given name-so much so that we hesitate to put it into writing. Her father enjoyed reading and chose the children’s names from characters in books. Some may not know we had a “Venus.”
Rita was an excellent student and was determined to make straight A’s and win any contest she was in. She loved and was very proud of her classmates and the accomplishments they later achieved. While she was well-behaved, one day she did ignore her mother’s orders of always coming straight home after school and went to the back of a local store with the other kids to listen to music and dance. She was MORTIFIED when her mother showed up to retrieve her. A switch may or may not have been involved.
Otherwise, she was greatly loved and cherished, so much so that her mother would not let her ruin her hands by washing dishes. She was allowed to dry, however. But her very favorite chore was cleaning. In fact, she loved it so much and was such a perfectionist that her mother turned it over to her. When asked by a friend how she kept such a clean house with so much to do, her mother replied, “My daughter does it all-I can’t please her!” Her affinity for cleaning never faded.
She met and fell in love with Wilson Langley from Essex. Wisely, he did not take her home to meet his family until after they were married. She has stated what attracted her most to him was his intellect and love of travel. But he too was a perfectionist. As God has a wonderful since of humor, unto them a child was born-Patricia Marie. Pat was not a perfectionist. While Wilson was away at war, Rita did her best to raise Pat while living with her parents. More than once, Rita wasn’t sure she would survive Pat’s many childhood antics.
While they had some good years, the affects of the war ended Wilson and Rita’s marriage.
In 1963, she was united in marriage to Marvin Wilson Ferguson and she gained two step-sons (Dennis and Larry). Rita quietly joked, there are two red-headed Wilson’s in the world and I married both of them! Marv and Rita had a fulfilling marriage and thru his work (his company sold some metal used in the St. Louis Arch) they were able to travel and enjoy their lives.
Rita was driven in her work and was determined to succeed. When she interviewed to be the secretary to the president of a company in St. Louis, but was offered a lower position instead, she said no, that’s the position I interviewed for and the only one I am interested in. She got the job.
Later, Rita worked as a real estate agent and achieved the “Millionaire Club” five years in a row, which earned her a lifetime achievement.
More than any award, Rita cherished her faith and her family. She came from a long line of devout Christians including a “circuit-riding preacher.” She loved her daughter Pat, who she once described as “the most unselfish person I have ever known,”
grandchildren Andrea and John, and great-grandchildren Sarah and Noah. Since she wasn’t about to be called “grandma,” she claimed the moniker “Nana” from a French co-worker. She always enjoyed visiting with her nieces and nephews, Ann, Randy, Mike, Karen, Laura, and others, ALWAYS over dessert. The McGhee’s LOVE dessert, if you haven’t heard. Another family trait was the “McGhee spread.” We’re sure the two are not related.
After retiring to Dexter, Rita assisted her older sister, Marie, served as a hospice volunteer for a time, and cared for Marv before his passing in 2017.
A grand, 100th birthday celebration was held in 2022, and not surprising to family, she agreed to wear the crown. The next week a fall led to her staying at Cypress Point for the next 2 years. While she relented to some aspects of care, a few she did not. Once early on in her stay, she relayed “they got me dressed and wheeled me out into this big room full of OLD people” (also known as the dining room) “But I said WAIT, I don’t belong here-take me back to where I was!” She remained in charge until the end. A few family members began to lovingly refer to her as Scarlett (as in Scarlett O’Hara). At least they never called her Freda.
Our Nana will be remembered as classy, kind, smart, beautiful, powerful, funny, sharp, loving, proud and “the definition of a lady.”
Rita was a member of Crossroads Methodist Church and would be pleased for any memorials to be sent there. She chose not to have a funeral service but a visitation will be held on Thursday, August 1st from 10-12 at the Essex Methodist Church. A private family gathering will follow at the Veterans Cemetery.
William Eugene Peck went to be with his Lord and Saviour on July 25, 2024. Born August 26, 1953 to Frank and Mary Rose Peck of Baltimore, MD, both parents, along with nephew Ryan Joseph Peck, preceded him in death. Bill is survived by his wife Beth, of 37 years and one son, Brent (Tara) and 2 grandchildren (Brock and Blane) of North Richland Hills, Tx. Bill is also survived by 3 brothers Michael (Kathy) of Baltimore, MD, Patrick (Debbie) Plantation, Fl and Timothy (Amy) Ocean Pines, MD, as well as many nieces and nephews which he loved dearly.
Bill attended Shrine of the Little Flower and Arch Bishop Curley high school in Baltimore throughout his education. After graduation Bill joined the Air Force and was stationed in Texas. During his service years he was offered two assignments, one as a foreign language interpreter and another in the field of medicine. Upon discharge, Bill pursued a medical degree from the University of Texas Health Science Center and did his residency at Parkland Hospital. During his residency, he learned multiple device implementation techniques, which shaped his future careers with Bard Urological, Bard Access, and Medtronic. With each device company, Bill achieved top honors throughout his many years of service.
Bill and his wife Beth’s careers both moved them across the US and Globe and included a 3 year assignment in Melbourne, Australia. The multiple relocation’s inspired a love of adventurous travel where Bill and his wife Beth, and often extended family, traveled throughout the US, Canada, Europe, Asia, Africa, Indonesia, and China. They both made lifelong friendships with many wonderful people throughout their assignments and travel which have helped sustain them during Bill’s illness.
Bill never met a stranger and had the gift of making others feel special. He loved sports, skiing, music, golf, politics, and had a passion for wine collection and eventually became a connoisseur of vintages.
After years 35 years of employment, Bill retired in Raleigh, NC. He immediately pursued his passion for conservative values and became the President of the Raleigh Republican Club where he served for many years and made lifelong relationships. Eventually the couple moved to the Asheville, NC area where they had pledged 25 years earlier their love for the Blue Ridge Mountains. Upon relocation, they joined and were baptized at Biltmore Baptist Church in Arden where they remained active members. Bill and Beth built their retirement home in The Cliffs of Walnut Cove and established a community of friends who were amazingly supportive before and during Bill’s illness.
Bill was an amazing survivor and gallantly battled a rare cancer in 2015 in which he ultimately remained in lifelong remission. However, in 2023 Bill was diagnosed with yet another unrelated Glioblastoma, where once again he fought a brave and heroic battle until he succumbed one year later.
Beth would like to thank the Biltmore Church staff, Sallee and Joe Forrest, the Operation Christmas Child Prayer team, and the amazing friends in Walnut Cove and neighboring communities and family who have prayed and provided food and support throughout Bill’s journey. The cards, texts, and phone calls from loved ones throughout the US and abroad have all helped to sustain both she and Bill through his sickness and death.
As it is written and Bill’s final journey to heaven, the “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him”. 1 Cor 2:9.
Rest in Peace our Brave and Courageous friend and loved one.
Visitation will be held at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Monday, August 5, 2024 from 6:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. Funeral services will then be conducted in the Mathis Funeral Home Chapel on Tuesday, August 6, 2024 at 12:30 p.m. Interment will follow in the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is assisting with arrangements.
Gale Patrick "Hump" Humphrey was born on November 22, 1967, in Dexter, Missouri, to Ralph Humphrey and Joan Logan, and left this world on July 28, 2024, in Bloomfield. He spent his life excelling as a Truck Driver and touched the hearts of many along his journey.
Described as a man who loved to talk with his unique boisterous voice, Gale never knew a stranger. His vibrant personality lit up every room he entered, leaving a lasting impact on all those who had the pleasure of knowing him.
Aside from his career, Gale had a deep passion for fishing and often participated in Crappie Tournaments at Wappapello. He also found joy in farming, construction work, and cherished moments spent with his family. Among his most treasured memories were those with his granddaughters whom he adoringly referred to as "My Girls."
Gale leaves behind a legacy cherished by his two sons: Justin Ervin of Bernie, Missouri and Joshua Ervin of Bloomfield, Missouri; one daughter Jordi and her husband Benjamin Provance of Bernie, Missouri; four precious granddaughters: Kayson Humphrey, Keegan Dennis, Kennedy Provance, and Kassidy Provance.
In addition to his children and grandchildren, Gale is survived by his brothers Leslie Humphrey and wife Janine of Evansville, Indiana, Randy Humphrey of Dexter; sisters Staci Counts and husband Kenneth of Sikeston, Jolean Duer and husband Samuel of Dexter; fiancé Rebecca Barbre; lifelong friend Debbie Battles; ex-wife Tami McCollom; along with a multitude of other family members and friends whose lives he enriched during his time with us.
Gale was preceded in death by his parents.
A visitation will be held on August 2, 2024, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Watkins Funeral Homes in Bloomfield followed by a Funeral Service at 1:00 PM with Pastor Charles Robertson officiating. The interment will take place at Gravel Hill Cemetery following the service where Gale will find eternal rest.
Gale Patrick Humphrey will be deeply missed but never forgotten. May his spirit live on through the myriad of lives he touched throughout his remarkable journey on earth.
Harry B. Joyner, 100, of Springdale, passed away Thursday, July 25, 2024, at Circle of Life Hospice in Springdale.
He was born June 28, 1924, in Spring Valley, near Hindsville, Ark., to Robert P. Joyner and Mary Margaret Black Joyner.
Funeral services will be Wednesday, July 31, 2024, at 10 a.m., at Calvary Freewill Baptist Church, at 1000 N. Gutensohn Road in Springdale. Burial will follow in Friendship Cemetery.
Visitation will be Tuesday, from 5-7 p.m., at Calvary Freewill Baptist Church. Memorials may be made to the Springdale Senior Center, Meals On Wheels, 203 Park St., Springdale, Ark., 72764, or Circle of Life Hospice, 901 Jones Road, Springdale, Ark., 72762.
Online condolences may be left at www.siscofuneral.com, where the complete obituary can be viewed.
