Billy Joe Freed, son of the late Clarence Freed and Mildred George Freed, was born on September 1, 1948, and departed this life on February 16, 2025, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, at the age of 76 years.
Mr. Freed was a Veteran of the United States Army serving in Vietnam and he was a resident of Dexter, Missouri.
He is survived by his brother, Rick Freed (Kim) of Dexter, Missouri; and by his sister, Pam Ware (Jim) of Zalma, Missouri.
Interment in the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield will be planned at a later date.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is assisting with arrangements.
Gladys Maxine Hopkins, daughter of the late Carl DeArman and Verna Davis DeArman, was born on November 15, 1936, in Poe, Missouri and departed this life on February 10, 2025, at Prairie View Skilled Nursing in Bloomfield, Missouri, at the age of 88 years.
Mrs. Hopkins attended Dudley Community Church in Dudley, Missouri and was a resident of Dexter, Missouri. She enjoyed crocheting, embroidery, gardening, and playing the harmonica.
On September 23, 1955, in Dexter, Missouri, she was united in marriage to Herschel John “Hoppy” Hopkins. Mr. Hopkins preceded her in death on November 24, 2022.
She is survived by her son, Mark Hopkins of Dexter, Missouri; by her daughter Gayle Brown and husband Frank of Dexter, Missouri; by five grandchildren, Ryan Wheeling and wife Kami, Kara Guiling and husband Joe, Laura Poe and husband Austin, Mindy Ruppel and husband Brad and Greg Wheeling; and by eleven great grandchildren, as well as many relatives and friends.
Other than by her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Gary DeArman, and by her sister, Pauline McAnally.
Visitation will be held at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Funeral services will then be conducted in the Mathis Funeral Home Chapel on Thursday, February 13, 2025, at 2:30 p.m. Interment will follow in Dexter Cemetery.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is assisting with arrangements.
Heather Jean Smith Goodwin sadly left us on February 13, 2025 at the age of 46. Heather is already at the feet of Jesus, living her happily ever after. Services will be held at First Marion in Marion, Arkansas. Her celebration of life will be held Saturday, March 1, at 5:00 pm.
Heather graduated from Dexter High School in 1996. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism from Arkansas State University in 2000, where she met her husband of 25 years, Larry Goodwin. Larry and Heather married in September of 2000 and made their home in Marion, Arkansas. Heather went on to receive her Masters degree in education and later her Specialists degree in Educational Leadership. She always said she was called to be a teacher, and the schools were her mission field.
Larry and Heather have three beautiful children, Reese, age 16, Ryder, age 14, and Roston, age 11. Her three children were and forever will be her pride and joy. She thanked God everyday He chose her to raise them. She and Larry were usually found on a sports field cheering one of their three children on or ubering them from one event to the next. Her world revolved around her family and she wanted nothing more than to be where they were.
Heather walked closely with God and had unmovable faith. She wanted nothing more than for God to be seen through her actions.
Heather is survived by her husband Larry Goodwin, and their three children, Reese, Ryder, and Roston. She is also survived by her parents Mark and Ranae Smith of Buncombe, IL, sister April (Jay) Parks of Oxford, MS, brother Gabe (Laine) Smith of New Madrid, MO, and a host of close family and friends. Heather is preceded in death by her grandparents, Lois Smith of Cape Girardeau, MO, and Mr. and Mrs. Howard Davie of Jonesboro, IL.
Donna Lee Wells, daughter of the late Charles Denver Decker and Marian Lucille Decker, was born in Bushton, Illinois on July 5, 1946 and departed this life at Mercy Hospital Southeast in Cape Girardeau, Missouri on February 10, 2025 at the age of 78.
Mrs. Wells was a Licensed Practical Nurse, having worked at Malden Nursing Center in Malden, Missouri for 31 years, until her retirement in 2010. She was a member of the Nazarene Church of Bernie, Missouri, where her husband Pastored for many years. Her greatest job of all was being a grandmother. She was a resident of Bernie.
She was united in marriage to Donald V. Wells in Mattoon, Illinois on August 22, 1964. Rev. Wells preceded his wife in death on May 29, 2022.
Survivors include two sons, Gary Wells & wife Christy and Jeff Wells & wife Tera all of Dexter, Missouri; by one daughter, Jenny Wells of Bernie, Missouri; by one brother, Rick Decker & wife Bonnie of Westfield, Illinois; by four sisters, Judy Tatman of Winchester, Virginia, Sharon Button & husband Dick of Greenup, Illinois, Patricia Buscher of Mulberry, Florida and Teri Clark of Charleston, Illinois; by six grandchildren, Macie Wells, Riley Wells, Kaeli Wells, Taylor Montgomery & husband Brett, Tyler Wells and Mikalyn Kirkwood; by one great-grandchildren due August 2025; also by other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband.
Friends may call at Mathis Funeral Home in Bernie, Missouri on Saturday, February 15, 2025 from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm. Funeral services will be conducted in the Mathis Funeral Chapel in Bernie on Sunday, February 16, 2025 starting at 2:00 pm. Rev. Ken Harper and Rev. Jeff Wells officiating. Interment will follow in Bernie Cemetery. Mathis Funeral Home of Bernie is assisting with all arrangements.
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved mother Ramona Sue Mason/Montgomery on February 8, 2025, at the age of 57. Born on July 1, 1967, she brought love, warmth, and light to all who knew her. Her kindness and generosity knew no bounds; she would give anyone her last dollar or the shirt off her back without a second thought. She had an incredible ability to lift others up, always staying positive and bringing joy to even the darkest days.
Her family was her greatest treasure. She is survived by her daughters, Amanda June Hunsaker and Kristin Ruth Hunsaker, her grandson Misha Roland Hunsaker, her sister Tammy Kanavel, and her two brothers Wesley Montgomery and Kevin Brents, who will forever carry her love in their hearts. She was preceded in death by her husband, Terry Mason, her mother Barbara Montgomery, her father Philip Montgomery, her brother Clint Montgomery, and her youngest daughter, Brandi Mason, whose absence she bore with grace and strength.
Her love, spirit, and warmth will be sorely missed, not only by her family but by all those who had the privilege of knowing her. The world has lost a truly beautiful soul, and the void left behind will be felt by all who were fortunate enough to witness her kindness.
Though she may no longer be with us in body, her memory will continue to inspire and guide us. We take comfort in knowing that her love will live on in the hearts of her daughters and everyone whose life she touched.
Rest in peace, Mom. The world won’t be the same without you, but your love will forever remain in our hearts.
A celebration of life service will be held at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Saturday, February 15, 2025, from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is assisting with arrangements.
