Earlene Jimerson

(From Mason-Woodard Mortuary)

Earlene Gail Jimerson entered a peaceful sleep and woke up the morning of July 18, 2023, in her heavenly home at the age of 80.

Earlene Largen Jimerson was born to Dwight and Gail (Cook) Largen on April, 16, 1943, in Aroma, Mo. Earlene was a member of the Granby High School Class of 1961. She went on to attend cosmetology school at Alex Angel Beauty School, in Kansas City, graduating in 1967. 

She worked in the cosmetology industry off and on over the years in salons in Kansas City, Springfield, Joplin, Neosho and Granby, along with owning and operating The Casual Aire Salon in Granby.

Earlene was quite diverse in her employment and even drove an 18-wheeler as part of an owner-operator team for CFI in Joplin. She received a safe driving award in 1980 which she continued to brag about for the rest of her life.

In the early 80’s Earlene hung up her scissors and CDL and became a Territory Sales Representative for R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company from which she retired in 2003. After retiring from R.J. Reynolds, Earlene wasn’t quite ready to stay home, so she took another job as a Sales Representative with Excalibur International where she worked for the next 12 years before her final retirement in 2016.

Earlene had a passion for gardening with the fruits of her labor being evident in the backyard paradise she created. She enjoyed sitting in her glider every morning, reading her daily devotion, praying, and immersing herself in the surrounding beauty. She was a founding member of UnCommon Life Church in Joplin where she had worked on the initial church construction, volunteered rocking babies, weekly cleaning of the church, and serving in the café up until her health no longer allowed. She was always willing to carpool the great grandkids when needed, join them in a Snapchat streak, follow them on social media, or whatever she needed to do to be a part of their world. She was pure class with a dose of sass, translated to mean, she was known for her amazing style and wasn’t afraid to put you in your place if she felt like you deserved it. Earlene loved her family fiercely, which was a driving factor in her life.

Earlene is survived by her husband of 29 years, Everett Jimerson, her daughter and only child Shyra Grantham and husband Tony, Joplin, Mo.; one granddaughter Tiffany Stout and husband Shane, Carthage, Mo.; two great grandchildren, Wyatt and Allie Stout; two stepchildren, Ashley Grant and James, and Chad Jimerson and Sandy; and additional grandchildren Blaine, Caleb, Jude and Ella Jimerson, and Sydney Spencer. Earlene is also survived by two sisters, Judy Powell and Chris of Granby, Mo. and Diane Largen, Phoenix, Az., along with a host of nieces and nephews and her longtime friend of 59 years, MaryAnn Toft.

Along with her parents, Earlene was preceded in death by her sister, Leta Bennett and brother, Gary Largen.

Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, July 26th, 2023 at the Mason-Woodard Chapel with Richard Morris officiating. Burial will follow at Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be 6:00-7:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 25th, 2023 at the mortuary.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Mason-Woodard Mortuary & Crematory.