Gene Andrews

(From Clark Funeral Home)

Our rocket engineer, Francis Eugene Andrews (Gene), age 92, gained Heavenly wings on Monday, October 31, 2022. He was born on August 29, 1930, in Mulhall, OK, to Elmer and Pauline (Scheihing) Andrews. He was raised on “the farm” with his four siblings: Pauline, Robert (Bob), Leroy, and Glen.

Gene then served in the Korean War as a Master Sergeant E7. After the war, he attended Oklahoma State University, graduating with a Mechanical and Diesel Engineering degree. 

He married the love of his life, Barbara Rosson, and had four children, Karen (Bill) Dobbs, Ellen (Ed) Baker, David (Brenda) Andrews, and Laurie (Randy) Wilson. He was very proud of his 10 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife.

Rocketdyne brought him to Neosho, and he was instrumental in the Apollo Program as a test engineer of the Saturn 5 Rocket. After the Apollo Program was complete, he taught small engines and drafting at Crowder College.

He was a member of the First Christian Church, where he served as an Elder for many years. He was a leader of the Boy Scout Group #27 and coached Red Bird Little League Baseball. He never sat idle. He tinkered with anything mechanical and loved to work with wood.

Visitation will be held at Clark Funeral Home at 9 a.m. on Thursday, November 3. The funeral will follow at 10 a.m. in Clark’s Chapel.

Graveside service will be held at I00F Cemetery with full military honors presented by the Missouri Funeral Honors Team.

Pallbearers will be Josh Andrews, Caleb Andrews, Spencer Dobbs, Davon Willis, Drake Andrews, and Quincey Willis.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Crowder College Foundation.

Eva Winberry

(From Mason-Woodard Mortuary)

Eva Aracely Winberry, age 80, of Joplin, MO passed away on Saturday, October 29th 2022 at 10:47 AM peacefully surrounded by her loved ones.

Eva was born on June 1st, 1942, in Tegucigalpa, Honduras to General Camilo and Eva (Rodriguez Corea) Reina. Eva was a graduate of the American School of Tegucigalpa in 1957 and later immigrated to Los Angeles, CA to attend college. 

While in Los Angeles, she met her husband James Winberry.They were married on October 16th, 1960 and later moved with their two children to McDonald County, Missouri.

Eva enjoyed dancing and music and later in life became an avid member of the local Zumba classes at the YMCA. She also had a special love for children and animals. She was a nanny and caretaker to many children through “Mother’s Day Out/Little Explorers” and “Kid’s Stuff Pre-School.” Nothing brought her more joy than spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Eva is survived by her daughter, Eva M. Forkner and her husband David of Joplin and her son, Martin “Wesley” Winberry of Columbia and his wife Stephanie, 7 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband James M. Winberry and her brother, Manfredo J. Reina.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be given to Avalon Hospice Care, Cornerstone Caregiving, and the Joplin Humane Society.

Funeral services have been scheduled for 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, November 2, 2022 at the Mason-Woodard Chapel. Burial will follow at Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery in Joplin. The family will receive friends during a time of visitation from 6 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday evening at the mortuary.

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

Sue Taylor

(From Mason-Woodard Mortuary)

Phyllis Sue Edge Taylor, age 85, passed away October 30, 2022, at her home after a long illness.

Sue was born in Joplin, Missouri to Porter Johnson, and Ruby Pauline on May 29, 1937. Sue graduated from Duenweg High School in 1954. After graduation Sue worked as a secretary for Duenweg High School.

Sue then worked a short time for Meeks Leather in Joplin. While attending Missouri Southern State University Sue worked as an office manager at Dan Stanley Ford from 1961 to 1978. Gus sold the business in 1996, Sue continued to work with the new company until retiring in 1997.

Sue is survived by two daughters Linda Taylor and husband Larry from Afton Ok, Karen Edge from Duenweg Mo, and bonus daughter Diana Brittain from Duenweg Mo.
Stepchildren Charlotte Shears and husband Dan, John Taylor, and wife Karla. four grandchildren Steven Taylor, Sean Taylor, Seth Taylor, Lisa Lockwood. She is also survived through her fifteen great grandchildren, seven great great grandchildren, brother Don Johnson, and sister Ruby Long. Also surviving are many nieces, nephews and life-long friends that she cared dearly for.

She is preceded in death by both of her parents Porter, and Pauline Johnson, husband Lloyd Edge, second husband Paul Taylor, and two sisters Mary Lou Gouge, and Nancy Hirshey.

Her greatest quality was the love she had for each and every one in her family.

A Funeral Service will be held at Mason & Woodard Mortuary November 3 ,2022 at 1:00pm. The family will receive friends from 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm prior to the service.

Contributions may be made to The Webb City Elk’s Lodge 861 Veterans Fund.

Arrangements are entrusted to Mason-Woodard Mortuary and Crematory Joplin, Missouri.

Connie Patton

(From Clark Funeral Home)

Wade Williams, EOC Project Director kindly wrote the following tribute to Connie.

“Educational Opportunity Center, TRIO, and Crowder College lost a dear friend this past weekend. Connie Patton, 68, passed away a 1:45 p.m. on Sunday October 30, 2022, at her home in Fairview, Missouri.

As a single mom, Connie started Crowder as a student in 1994 and participated in SSS and was a student worker for the IT Department. After Crowder, Connie completed her bachelor’s degree from MSSU and taught for AEL part-time. In 2002, she was hired as an Educational Access Advisor for EOC where she worked nearly 20 years and retired December 2021.

 

Connie touched the lives of so many people during her time at Crowder and throughout her life. She truly loved the work that she did and the people she was able to serve. Connie was known throughout the area for her knowledge, expertise, and her passion for serving students. As a single mom and TRIO product herself, she knew how important her work in EOC was.

In 2001 Connie was instrumental in facilitating the return home of her uncle, MIA Army veteran and fighter pilot, William Patton Jr., who was killed in an airplane crash in France during WWII.

She was born January 19, 1954, in Neosho, Missouri to the late Keith and Mildred Pauline (Kimbrough) Patton.

Survivors include her son Nathan Pahal; one brother, Gary Patton and his wife, Ginny of Shreveport, Louisiana; and her Crowder Family.

Connie is preceded in death by her oldest son, Keith Pahal and her brother, Darrell Patton.

Arrangements have been conducted by the Clark Funeral Home in Granby, Missouri. A private family service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the family to assist with expenses.

Linda Getty

(From Greenfield Funeral Chapel)

Linda Mae Getty, of Avilla, MO, departed this life on Saturday, October 29, 2022, at the age of 73.

She was born on January 23, 1949 in Lockwood, MO to Richard Lee and Leona Irene (Lovely) Wilkins. Linda graduated from Greenfield High School. 

She was united in marriage to Richard Getty on August 17, 1989 in Avilla, MO. She adored her family and friends. If they were her friend, they were family. Linda adored her horses. She participated in Trails for Kids, an organization that raised money for kids with Cerebral Palsy. Linda was also active with the 4-H organization for many years.

Preceding her in death were her parents, Richard and Leona Wilkins; and her husband, Richard Getty.

Survivors include one son, Mike East; two daughters, Cathy Derrick and Mary Hogan; son-in-law, Drew Bozeman; one brother, Bobby Wilkins; four grandchildren, Mikayla East, Triston Stone, Chantry Divine, and Alisha East; three great-grandchildren, Mattie Lett, Mason Lett, and McCoy Divine; and was a grandma to many “bonus” grandkids.

Funeral services will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Monday, November 7, 2022 at Pleasant Grove Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Monday from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at Greenfield Funeral Chapel. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Pleasant Grove Cemetery. 

Services are under the care of Greenfield Funeral Chapel.

Bobbie Wood

(From Derfelt Funeral Home)

Roberta “Bobbie” Jean Wood, 84, passed away at her home on October 30th, 2022 after a brief battle with cancer. She was born February 25, 1938 in Joplin, MO, the daughter of Gerald Livingston and Roberta (Sigars) Livingston.

Bobbie graduated from Baxter Springs High School then entered St. John’s Hospital School of Nursing graduating Cum Laude in 1958. She returned to college graduating Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Missouri Southern State College in 1991. She went on to complete her Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Kansas in 1994.

She married her high school sweetheart, Lyle Wood, in 1959. He proceeded her in death in 2020. They were together 68 years.

She worked for many years at Baxter Memorial Hospital in Baxter Springs before becoming a Nurse Educator at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College in Miami, OK.

She is survived by sons David Wood and Steven Wood; daughter Catherine Smith and husband Mike all from Baxter Springs. Four grandchildren, Tori Miller and husband Zach, Peyton Smith and Jack Smith of Baxter Springs and Matthew Smith and wife Lacie of Carl Junction, MO; One great-grandson, Emmett Miller; One sister-in-law, Linda Goodrich and husband Malcolm of Miami, OK. She also had nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly.

Bobbie loved taking care of people. Her career as a nurse enabled her to care for and comfort others and she continued to care for others her entire life.

She enjoyed painting and collecting antiques. She loved her family fiercely and she delighted in her time spent with grandchildren and her great-grandson.

She was a lifelong member of First Baptist Church of Baxter Springs. She was also a member of the Baxter Springs Chapter BT of the PEO sisterhood.

Visitation will be Wednesday, November 2nd from 5:30PM-7:00PM at Derfelts Baxter Chapel and Funeral service will be Thursday, November 3rd at 10:00AM at First Baptist Church of Baxter Springs. Burial will be at Baxter Springs cemetery.

 

Janice Rawlings

(From Bennett-Wormington Funeral Home)

Janice Ray (Feather) Rawlings was born to Eleanor Mae (Green) Feather and Earl Jay Feather with her twin sister on June 19, 1936 in Denver, Colorado and grew up in Golden, Colorado. She graduated from Golden High School in 1955.

Janice met Franklin Donald Rawlings and they were married June 10, 1955. Two children were born to this union, daughter Letitia May (Rawlings) Nageotte and son Franklin Hugh Rawlings. Janice and Frank D. lived in several states, but always came back to Neosho, Missouri.

Janice worked in several factories in Neosho. She took care of seven foster children and several other jobs over the years.

Janice was preceded in death by her parents, husband, daughter, nine sisters, and three brothers as well as several nieces and nephews. She is survived by her son Franklin H., grandchildren: Jesie, Grace, and Allie; ten great-grandchildren: Demaris, Caden, Resa, Zander, Catalina, Phenix, Ireighton, Kiae, Benten, and Detevian.

Janice wants everyone to be happy and joyful as she is at rest.

A celebration of life is being held for Janice on Saturday November 5, 2022 from 11:00a.m. to 1:00p.m. at the Bennett-Wormington Funeral Home in Monett, Missouri. Burial next to her husband Franklin will take place at a later time at the Monett I.O.O.F. Cemetery in Monett, Missouri.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Bennett-Wormington Funeral Home in Monett, Missouri.