Gregg Brown

My beautiful brother, we miss you so very much. On Sunday, September 19th we lost a son, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend to many. Gregory Edwin Brown age 53, of Austin, Texas, passed unexpectedly last Sunday from an ongoing battle of addiction and mental illness. 

For many years, he fought a heroic battle with addiction, unfortunately, it held a powerful grip on him from a young age. Gregg wanted nothing more than to live a successful, happy life without fear and pain. His family and those closest to him wish he had recognized his brilliance, value, strength, and huge heart that we saw in him.

Gregg’s biological parents, James and Mary Brown had both passed by the time he was 8 years old. By the age of 14 Gregg was in Foster Care. It was at that time, he was welcomed with open arms into our parents, Don and Sharon Arnold’s home. He immediately became their son, and our brother.

 

Our dad took him under his wing and taught him things that all young men should know. Gregg read at our father’s funeral saying that, “When no one else wanted to take in a troubled teen, you choose to do so without a second thought. Your guidance, direction, love, praise and discipline will never be forgotten.” 

He and mom had the best times in the kitchen, where they could laugh and joke as she watched Gregg cook with ease and a natural ability to make anything taste phenomenal. He formed a bond with the rest of us kids like most siblings do; relentlessly teasing and picking on one another, but no one else could. Gregg fit seamlessly into our Dynamic Six and made it the Unforgettable CJ Seven.

Gregg was a 1984 graduate of Carl Junction High School and from there went on to become an exceptional businessman throughout the years. He had several successful businesses and enjoyed making new friends along the way. In his free time, he enjoyed keeping up with politics, traveling, sports, and being outdoors – especially fishing with his grandpa as a child. He was always the life of the party and could invariably find a way to make you laugh. 

Gregg is survived by his three beautiful daughters Ashley, Dalas, and Taya and seven grandsons. He is also survived by his mother Sharon Arnold, his sisters Cheryl Smith, Kim Eddy, and Amanda Robbins, and his four brothers Mike Frizzell, Brad Arnold, Kenny Arnold, and Chris Arnold. Additionally, Gregg is survived by many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.

Addiction is merciless and does not care who you are. Gregg’s loss is devastating, but he would not want us to cry for him. Gregg would want us to use our lives and voices to fight for others in his memory by bringing awareness to addiction and mental illness. 

Our family will have a private burial for Gregg, however, we ask that if you feel lead to do so please make a donation in Gregg’s memory to one of the following organizations: Jasper County CASA at https://jascocasa.org/, The Lazarus Recovery Center, 1102 West 9th Street Joplin, or American Foundation for Suicide Prevention at https://afsp.org/

Paul Myers

(From Simpson Funeral Home)

Paul R. Myers, Jr. age 79 of Alba, Missouri passed away on Wednesday, September 23, 2020 at Freeman West Hospital. He was born on November 29, 1940 in Alba, Missouri to Paul R. Myers, Sr. and Mildred Beatrice (Derry) Myers. 

Paul was the owner of Paul’s Auto Repair from 1972 until 1996, and then went on to work at Sitton Motor Lines, Aaron’s Automotive, and VSSI. 

He is survived by his son, Paul R. Myers, III. And wife Michelle of Purcell, Missouri; daughters, Pauletta Cash and husband Clint of Salida, Colorado, Pamela Cole-Myers and partner Diane Cole-Myers of Joplin, Patricia Haydaripoor and husband Ray of Kansas City, Missouri, Peggy Newton and husband Brian of Joplin; brothers, Donald and wife Idell of Wisconsin, Kenny Myers of Riverton, Kansas; 12 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. 

Paul was preceded in death by two wives, Carol Lea and Barbara Lue; and a brother, Robert Myers. 

Paul has been taken for cremation and the family will have services at a later date. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Simpson Funeral Home in Webb City. Visit www.simpsonfh.com for online condolences.

Gloria Crosby

(From Ozark Funeral Home)

Gloria Ellen (Shambaugh) Crosby was born on October 21, 1942 in Neosho, MO to parents Daniel Franklin Shambaugh, Jr. and Leila A’leese Blankenship Shambaugh Crabtree. 

 Gloria grew up in Noel, MO graduating high school from Noel in 1960. She earned an associate’s degree from Southwest Baptist College in Bolivar, Missouri in 1963, a Bachelor of Music degree from Union University in Jackson, Tennessee in 1966, and a Master’s in Christian Education degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas in 1973.

While attending Union University, she met her future husband, Paul Franklin Crosby, whom she married on August 14, 1966. She worked as a music therapist at Tennessee State Hospital as well as Tennessee social services while he completed his degree at Union. While they were attending seminary in Texas, they welcomed their son, Jeremy Paul, on February 27, 1973.

 

After completing their master’s degrees, they were appointed by the Foreign Mission Board to serve as missionaries to Mexico in 1973. They moved to Guadalajara, Mexico in 1974. While in Mexico, they welcomed their daughter, Kimberly Dawn, in 1975. They returned to the US in 1976, after Gloria developed a severe case of hepatitis.

Frank and Gloria have lived in Southwest Missouri since 1976, spending 13 years on a 10-acre farm called The Buffalo Bog outside of Cassville, Missouri. Frank and Gloria have resided outside of Stella Missouri since 2004.

Gloria trusted Jesus as her Savior at the First Baptist Church of Noel in 1960 and was baptized that same year. Gloria has served as a pianist and Bible study leader in the various churches where Frank has been the pastor. Additionally, she spent 10 years working with Charles Brock at the Church Growth International where she developed a correspondence course program for those in prison as well as helping with Spanish translations. Gloria authored many Bible studies along with writing poetry. She also authored a book about the history of Barry County.

Gloria was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Sharon Shambaugh Dubbs. 

She is survived by her husband, Frank Crosby, children Jeremy Crosby and Kimberly Duncan (Norm), six grandchildren Brennen Duncan(21), Cameren Duncan(20), Chloe Crosby(18), Caiden Crosby(16), Sydney Duncan(15), and Claire Crosby(12), and her brother Franklin Shambaugh (Ella) and many nieces and nephews.

Gloria passed away September 23, 2020 at the age of 77 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to CARE Net of Neosho in her honor.

VISITATION

Ozark Funeral Home
Monday, September 28, 2020
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
100 Spring Street
Anderson, MO

FUNERAL SERVICE

Ozark Funeral Home
Tuesday, September 29, 2020
2:00 PM
100 Spring Street
Anderson, MO

Glenn Stark

(From Derfelt Funeral Home)

Reverend Glenn C. Stark passed away peacefully at his home in Riverton at 6:45pm on Wednesday, September 23rd with his wife Linda and his daughter Shelly at his side. 

Glenn was born on May 17, 1934 in Wheaton, Missouri to Ralph and Verna (Dopp) Stark. After his father, Ralph, died at a young age his mother married Gerald G. McNew. Glenn accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior at 9 years of age, the most important decision of his life.

Glenn graduated from Carthage High School in 1952. During High School he served in ROTC and enjoyed playing the trumpet in the Band. Glenn also served in the National Guard. After 2 years of college at Joplin, he applied for a military school at Ft. Benning, Georgia. He was accepted to the Advanced Non-Commissioned Officer’s Training as a Corporal and spent 4 months at Benning where he became friends with a paratrooper from the 82nd Airborne Division. 

In September 1955, Glenn enlisted in the Army and signed up for Airborne. He got his Airborne training at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina and was so proud when he received those red, white, and blue shoulder patches of the 82nd Airborne Division. His military career ended in 1958.

The most important decision Glenn made besides accepting Christ as his Savior came around Christmas 1961 when he surrendered to God’s call to the ministry. He served as Pastor to 11 churches in the surrounding area during the 58 years of his ministry. His last pastorate was of 22 years at Saginaw Baptist Church south of Joplin. Glenn always preached from his Pastor’s heart full of God’s love. He wanted everyone to know Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior. The Lord came first in Glenn’s life and he served Him faithfully. Glenn totally loved his wife Linda (as she did him), his children and the rest of his family. He was loved and respected by so many and influenced many lives. He had a wonderful sense of humor and he loved hearing his wife sing!

He is survived by his wife Linda, sons Jerry and Jim Stark, daughter Shelly (Scott);
grandchildren Thomas, Kaumaka, Samuel, Brianna, Addison, Adrianne, Autumn, Kodey, and Colton; great grandchildren Bentlee and Hudson; brother Gerald G. McNew and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, son Jeff Stark, grandson Christopher Stark, sisters Mary Beth Smart and Margaret Barlet, brother Thomas McNew, brother-in-law Marvin Smart and niece Melissa Smart.

Visitation will be at Derfelt Funeral Home in Baxter Spring, Kansas on Monday,
September 28, 2020 from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm with Funeral services Tuesday, September 29, 2020 at 1:00 pm again at Derfelt Funeral Home in Baxter. Online condolences can be made at www.derfeltfuneralhome.com.

Dora Gaydou

From Buchanan Funeral Home)

Dora Elizabeth Gaydou, 90, of Carthage, MO, passed from this life peacefully on Friday evening, September 25, 2020, while at St. Luke’s Nursing Center in Carthage.

Friends may pay their respects on Wednesday, September 30, from 10-6:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 1, at the Liberty Cemetery, north of Monett. 

Memorial contributions may be made to the Liberty Cemetery Association in care of the funeral home, 301 Euclid Ave., P.O. Box 424, Monett, MO 65708. Arrangements have been entrusted to Buchanan Funeral Home.

Betty Lee

(From Clark Funeral Home)

Betty Lee was born September 16, 1954 in Neosho, Missouri, one of six children to Ned and Ila Mae (Wells) Lee. She entered into rest on September 24, 2020 in Neosho at the age of 66. 

Betty lived in Neosho for many years and had lived in Tulsa, Oklahoma before returning to Neosho. 

She was a homemaker and member of the Second Baptist Church. She loved her grandchildren and great grandchild and enjoyed spending time with them.

 

Betty is survived by two sons, Chris Lee of Joplin and Matthew Lee of Neosho; six grandchildren and one great grandchild; two brothers, Charles Rogers of Springfield and Paul Morrison of Neosho and two sisters, Carol Hill of Neosho and Mary Johnson of Tulsa, Oklahoma. 

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by a sister, Alice Lee.

MEMORIAL SERVICE

Second Baptist Church
Saturday, October 03, 2020
11:00 AM
430 West Grant
Neosho, MO

Private family interment will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions in memory of Betty may be made to Second Baptist Church, c/o Clark Funeral Home, PO Box 66, Neosho, MO 64850

John Estes

(From Ozark Funeral Home)

John Duane Estes, 77, of Goodman, Missouri, passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 24, 2020 at his daughter’s home in Neosho, Missouri.

He was born on July 13, 1943 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, born to the late, Robert and Tressa (Ricketts) Estes. John spent his formative years in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, moving to this area at the age of 12. 

He graduated from the Anderson High School in 1961, there is where he met his childhood sweetheart, Connie Sue Brock, they were united in marriage on August 18, 1961 in Goodman, Missouri. John was a project superintendent for Elliott and Son construction for 15 years; Branco construction for 20 years, retiring in 2003. He was the Fire Chief for the Goodman Volunteer Fire Department for several years. 

John sang bass in a Southern Gospel Quartet “McNatt Messengers” with his son, Randal Estes, along with Duane Garren, Doug Garren, Jerry Taylor, Missy Freund and Chris Freund. He enjoyed woodworking, making gifts for family and friends. John was a faithful member of the McNatt Baptist Church in Goodman, Missouri.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Connie Sue Estes; three brothers, Bill, Bob and Dean Estes.

John is survived by his daughter, Angela Peters and husband, Glenn of Neosho, Missouri; his son, Randal Estes and wife, Donna of Bentonville, Arkansas; grandchildren, Heather Zornes and husband, Freddie, Luke Earnshaw and wife, Addie, Jonathon Estes and wife, Audra, Ryanne Edgar and husband, Tyler, Sydney Smith and husband, Ryan; great grandchildren, Neveah Zornes, Mae-Lea Earnshaw, Remington Zornes, Matthew Earnshaw (coming soon in December, 2020); as well as a host of other family and friends who will dearly miss John.

Graveside service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, September 28, 2020 at the Peace Valley Cemetery in Anderson, Missouri. Pastor Jeffrey Miller will officiate.