Celia Scifers

(From Parker Mortuary)

Celia Celeste White Scifers, age 93 of Springfield, MO, formerly of the Joplin area, passed away at 6:50 a.m. on Tuesday, December 10, 2013 at Culpepper Place of Springfield – East.

Born October 29, 1920 in Alba, MO, she was the daughter of the late Herbert and Ophelia Decker Pugh and graduated from Alba High School in 1939. She and her first husband Oscar Ira White, whom she married December 31, 1939, owned and operated a grocery and filling station at 43 and M Highways, North of Joplin, until 1955. She then worked for the former Pacific Mercury Company (later Fairchild’s), where she did intricate soldering and wiring for B-52 Aircraft. She taught evening soldering classes at Franklin Technical School. In 1963, she worked in public relations for St. John’s Hospital. Her last employment was as executive secretary for Dr. Stark in the Carl Junction School District, retiring in 1982.

Celia was baptized in the New Providence Baptist Church in 1949 and later belonged to Carl Junction United Methodist Church and Calvary Baptist Church in Joplin, where she was active in the Son Shiners. She was also active in Christian Women’s Club of Joplin.

Her second husband, Hugh Bandy, also preceded her in death.

She married Edgar V. Scifers in 1979 and he preceded her in death in 1981. Three brothers, Royden Pugh, Lawrence Pugh and Buster Harmon; and a sister, Marie Coss, also preceded her in death.

Survivors include a daughter, Donna Snyder and husband Larry of Ozark, MO; a sister, Margaret Smith of Joplin; two granddaughters, Dana Prentice and husband Dek of Ozark, Lacy Emmert and husband Dusty of Ozark; four grandchildren, Austin and Celeste Prentice, Brayden and Hallie Emmert; sister-in-law and best friend, Edith Pugh of Joplin; and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m. Saturday at Parker Chapel with Rev. Bob Simon officiating. Interment will follow at Carl Junction Cemetery with Dusty Emmert, Dek Prentice, Clint and Jeff Smith and Verlie Coss serving as pallbearers. The family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. Saturday until the service hour at the mortuary.