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.
Connie Ray Haynes, son of Dorothy Haynes-Greene of Dexter, Missouri, and the late JB Haynes, was born on December 12, 1953, in Senath, Missouri, and departed this life on April 28, 2025, at his residence in Dexter, Missouri, at the age of 71 years.
Mr. Haynes was a former farmer. He was a Christian and attended the Church of Christ.
He is survived by his son, Curtis Haynes of Wappapello, Missouri; by his daughter, Catherine Haynes of Bernie, Missouri; by his companion, Debra Haynes of Dexter, Missouri; by two sisters, Diane McIntosh and husband Ronnie of Wappapello, Missouri and Sheryl James and husband Ronnie of Jackson, Missouri; and by three grandchildren, Lucas Haynes, Andrew Haynes, and Seth Smith.
Other than by his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Tony J. Haynes; and by two sisters, Shelby Lewis and Thelma Colbert.
No services are planned.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter assisted with arrangements.
Charles Lee “Chuck” Chism, son of the late Thelmo Chism and Imogene Springs Chism, was born on May 31, 1956, in Chicago, Illinois, and departed this life on April 27, 2025, at his residence in Wappapello, Missouri, at the age of 68 years.
Mr. Chism was a former heavy equipment operator and auctioneer. He was a member and past president of the Wappapello Crappy Club and a member of the Wappapello Eagles and VFW. He enjoyed fishing, playing pool, and hunting.
On June 2, 2018, in Wappapello, Missouri, he was united in marriage to Opal Freeman. Mrs. Chism survives for their home in Wappapello.
Along with his wife, he is survived by his son, Kyle Chism of Bloomfield, Missouri; by two daughters, Kelley Alsup and husband Richard of Dexter, Missouri, and Amanda Woodall and husband Billy of Wardell Missouri; by two step-daughters, Rebecca Wilson of Wappapello, Missouri, and Suzie Tippen of Cape Girardeau, Missouri; by his sister, Debbie Snider and husband Jeff of Dexter, Missouri; and by eleven grandchildren, Zach Alsup, Ben Alsup, Landon Chism, Faith Chism, Gemma Chism, Piper Wilson, Skylar Pugh, Dustin Olson, Emily Snow, Ethan Ellsworth and Samantha Woodall.
Other than by his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, James Chism and Bob Chism; and by his sister, Sandra Hill.
Visitation will be held at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Thursday, May 1, 2025, from 12:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. Funeral services will then be conducted in the Mathis Funeral Home Chapel on Thursday, May 1, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. Interment will follow in Bloomfield Cemetery.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is assisting with arrangements.
Betty Ann Cheatham, daughter of the late Homer Barks and Clodine Hahn Barks, was born on October 7, 1951, in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, and departed this life on April 26, 2025, at StoneBridge Nursing Center in Marble Hill, Missouri at the age of 73 years.
Mrs. Cheatham was a retired motor carrier with a logistics company. She was a member of St. Johns Church in Leopold, Missouri, and a resident of Marble Hill, Missouri. She enjoyed reading, watching NCIS, traveling and visiting casinos. She loved spending time with her family and caring for her pets.
On December 8, 1986, in Marble Hill, Missouri, she was united in marriage to Boyce Cheatham. Mr. Cheatham preceded her in death on April 19, 2005.
She is survived by two daughters, Amy James and husband Danny of Marble Hill, Missouri, and Julie Long and husband Brian of Pine Grove, Pennsylvania; by her sister, Myra Kay Dickerson of Marble Hill, Missouri; by four grandchildren, Josh Long (Taylor), Brock Long (Taylor), Macey Brown (Grant) and Sophia James; and by four great grandchildren, Jack Long, Ella Kay Long, Greyson Long, and Benett Brown.
A private graveside service will be held at St. Johns Cemetery in Leopold, Missouri, at a later date.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is assisting with arrangements.
