Cassidy Bryan

(From Ozark Memorial Park Crematory)

Cassidy Marie Bryan, stillborn on October 12, 2024, at 2:38 am at Mercy Hospital, Joplin, Missouri.

Cassidy is survived by Dominick Bryan, father, Emma Smith, mother, Angel Bryan, sister, Gary and Tiaa Dillard, grandparents, Shaun Ann Bristol, grandmother, Harvey Smith, grandfather, and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Cory Miller

(From Hedge-Lewis Funeral Home)

Cory Darrell Miller, age 51 of Alba, Missouri, passed away unexpectedly at his home on Wednesday, October 16, 2024. Cory was born on January 31, 1973 in Illinois to Jim Sanders and Bobette Miller and was raised by his late grandparents, Allen and Cheri Henry.

Cory worked for Herman Lumber as a delivery driver for the last 14 years. He had a passion for collecting guitars, especially Flying V’s, Les Paul and other.

Cory is survived by his wife, Jennifer Miller of the home; sons, Zach Miller of Webb City and Kaylar Miller; daughter, Alexandra Newman (Devon) of Galena, Kansas; three grandchildren, Daimon, Darcey and Axel; step-daughter, Kylee Logan (Sean; brother Butch Humphrey of Illinois; sisters, Lisa Miller and Jami Sanders, both of Illinois; father, Jim Sanders of Illinois; and numerous nieces, nephews and extended family.

Cory is preceded in death by his mother, Bobette Miller; grandparents, Allen and Cheri Henry; and a sister, Lori Miller.

Family and friends will gather to visit together on Tuesday, October 22, 2024 from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. at the Thornhill-Dillon Mortuary at 602 Byers Ave, Joplin, Missouri.

Arrangements are under the direction of Hedge-Lewis-Goodwin Funeral Home in Webb City, Missouri.

Mary Hamilton

(From Campbell-Biddlecome Funeral Home)

Mary M. Hamilton, 90, Seneca, MO passed into eternal rest October 15, 2024 at Freeman West Hospital in Joplin after a sudden illness.

Mary Margaret Brown was born December 14, 1933 in West Benton Township now part of Neosho, MO, the daughter of Julius and Dorothy (McGhee) Brown. 

Mary was a lifelong area resident. She formerly worked as a florist. Mary loved working with flowers making beautiful floral arrangements. She loved cooking and baking and having large Sunday family gatherings where she cooked for the whole family.

Mary loved spending time with her family. She attended all the grandchildren's events. Mary's hobbies were bird and butterfly watching, gardening and canning. She enjoyed going fishing with her husband Virgil. Mary was a member of the Wyandotte Nation and was a Christian.

Mary Margaret Brown married Virgil Eugene Hamilton February 22, 1956 in Seneca, MO and he preceded her in death September 25, 2015.

Survivors include three sons; Michael Hamilton, Roger Hamilton and wife Julie and Larry Hamilton and wife Karen all of Seneca; 8 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren and 2 great great-grandchildren; her adopted son, Dennis Swatsenbarg, joplin, MO and a host of extend family and friends.

The family will receive friends from 6-7pm, Monday, October 21, 2024 at the Campbell-Biddlecome Funeral Home, Seneca.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00pm, Tuesday, October 22, 2024 at the Seneca First Baptist Church with Matt McGuirk officiating. Burial will be in the Seneca Cemetery, Seneca, MO, with Roger Hamilton, Larry Hamilton, Chris Hamilton, Keegan Hamilton, David Hamilton and Roger Robertson serving as pallbearers.

Rebecca Baird

(From Clark Funeral Home)

Rebecca Ann Baird, Age 63, of Neosho, Missouri, passed away peacefully at her home following an illness. Rebecca was born to Verlin Jones and Eloise (Coleman) Jones and was a proud graduate of Neosho High School.

On July 11, 1982, she married Joe Baird in Neosho, and he survives. Rebecca dedicated many years to the Carl Junction School District as a Food Director, retiring in 2022. She found joy in gardening, tending to flowers, and exploring her family’s history through genealogy.

Rebecca’s legacy is carried on by her children, Kellie Francisco of Neosho, Missouri, and Jacob Baird of Joplin, Missouri, and her cherished grandsons, Kytn Francisco, Weston Francisco, Emmett Baird, and Everett Baird. She is also survived by her mother, Eloise Jones of Neosho, and two sisters, Bernice Fritzal and husband Jim of Raytown, Missouri, and Brenda Musgrove and husband Tom of Anderson, Missouri.

A memorial service to celebrate Rebecca’s life will be held at Clark Funeral Home in Neosho, on November 1, 2024 at 1 pm

Catherine Allan

(From Mason-Woodard Mortuary)

Catherine Marie Allan, 65, of Diamond, Missouri passed away at 7:02 am on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, at Oak Pointe of Neosho, Missouri after a lengthy illness.

She was born July 22, 1959, in Devils Lake, North Dakota. She had resided most of her life in the area. She was a member of Bethany Baptist Church in Carthage, Missouri. She enjoyed fishing, watching the hummingbirds in the springtime, other bird watching as well and had a great love for her cats.

She married John Allan on March 20, 1983, in Joplin, Missouri, where he survives.

Other survivors include; two sons, Bryan S. Houk of Granby, Missouri and John (Lydia) Allan II of Diamond, Missouri; one daughter, Krystle Allan of Duquesne, Missouri; her Step-Mom, Marina Houk of Duquesne, Missouri; one little brother, Eelon Houk of Duquesne, Missouri; two sisters, Barbara Sue (Claude) McDowell of Carthage, Missouri and Sandy Kay Houk of Duquesne, Missouri. Six Grandchildren and one Great-Grandchild.

She was preceded in death by her father: Jimmie Houk, her mother Charlene Kettner; and one brother, Jimmie M. Houk, Jr.

Services will be at 10:00 AM Saturday at Mason-Woodard Chapel with Rev. Kenji Harrington officiating. There will be a visitation beginning at 9:00 AM until service time.
Interment will be at Stone Cemetery in Diamond, Missouri.
Memorial Contributions may be made to the Bethany Baptist Church building fund.

Laura Brewer

(From Ozark Funeral Home)

Laura Lewise Brewer, 63, of Grove, Oklahoma, a cherished mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, and friend, passed away after a long illness on Tuesday morning, October 15, 2024, at Freeman Hospital West in Joplin, Missouri. She entered this life on March 26, 1961, in El Dorado, Kansas, to Amy Roberta (Henderson) Overstreet and the late Lewis Razey.

Raised in Augusta, Kansas, Laura was a 1979 graduate of Colcord High School in Colcord, Oklahoma. She carried the spirit of her upbringing with her as she made her home in Grove, Oklahoma, where she lived for many years. 

Laura's dedication to her community was evident in her long-standing work as a chicken tender for Simmons Foods. Laura did an amazing job of raising five children on her own. Being a single mother, at times she had to serve both roles as mother/father and she did so with grace and dedication.

Laura's life was a tapestry of love and devotion to her family. She is survived by her five children, Michael Razey and companion Janelle Buss, Joshua Brewer and wife, Natalie, Cody Brewer and wife, Brittany, Shannon Brewer and wife, Charla and Meagan Brewer and companion, Colton Britt; seven grandchildren; her mother, Amy Roberta Overstreet; three sisters, Tina Blanton and husband, Mike, Tammy Alcorn and Amy Coffey and husband, Keith; a brother, Tony Razey; as well as a host of other family and friends. 

 Her father, Lewis Razey, preceded her in death.

 

Laura's personal interests were a reflection of her creative and nurturing soul. She found solace and pleasure in craft projects, which not only served as a hobby but also as a means of connecting with her loved ones. Her hands were rarely still, as she poured her heart into creating beautiful and tangible memories for her family and friends.

Memorial services are 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 26, 2024 at First Baptist Church in Anderson, Missouri. A luncheon will immediately follow the service at the church and all are welcome to attend. In lieu of flowers, memorials are being directed to Sheep Dog Impact Assistance for Hurricane relief c/o the funeral home. Arrangements are under the care of Ozark Funeral Home in Anderson, Missouri.

Kay Waters

(From Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home)

Kay P. Waters, 87, of Shawnee Mission, Kansas, and former long-time resident of Parsons, passed away at 3:58 p.m. on Monday, October 14, 2024, at Advent Health in Shawnee Mission. She had been in declining health, but death was unexpected.

Kay was born on September 28, 1937, in rural Jasper County, Missouri, to Harry Waters and Pansy “Pat” (Pendergraft) Waters. She graduated as Valedictorian of her Duenweg High School class, and later attended nursing school at St. John’s in Joplin.

As a child she travelled on Route 66 to southern California with her parents who were seeking jobs in the aircraft industry during World War II. That trip so fascinated her that she traveled the same route as an adult, able to point out motels, cafes, and sights she had seen decades before.

Kay worked as a public health nurse for the city of Joplin from 1958 to 1967 and later worked in the emergency room at Freeman Hospital. In 1970, the first Director of the Labette Community College Nursing Program urged her to apply for a nursing educator position in the fledging LCC program. She taught nursing at LCC for several years and then transitioned to teaching Sociology and related classes. She attended graduate level classes at Texas Women’s University, Pittsburg State University, and Missouri Southern University. She retired in 1996 after serving at the college for 26 years, first as an instructor and, later, as a division chair.

After her retirement, she served as a member of the college’s Board of Trustees.

Kay was a lifelong friend to animals and gave her time and talents to projects and organizations that supported animal welfare. She served many years on the Parsons Humane Society Board of Directors, and she co-managed The Thrift Boutique on Broadway in Parsons, the store’s profits going to the humane society. In addition, her work was instrumental in having the current shelter constructed.

In addition to her work for animals, Kay was involved in community and college theatre, and she had a special interest in English history. She also had a keen interest in current events and spent time traveling with friends in the United States and Europe.

Kay was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, Mitchell Waters, and a sister, Sharon “Sue” Bruey.

Survivors include a brother Harry Waters of Henderson, Nevada; a sister, Debra Thompson of Joplin; Janine Stokes, life-time friend and companion, and dear friends, Jean Rogers, Sue Hand, Barbara Roy, Sandra Harper, Lou Lyons, and Cynthia Lane.

Friends may call at the Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Parsons from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. on Friday, October 18, 2024. There will be a grave side service at Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery in Joplin on Saturday, October 19, 2024, at 11:00 a.m.

Memorials are suggested to the Labette Community College Foundation or PALS (Proud Animal Lovers Shelter). These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS 67357.