(From Daniel Funeral Home)
Dollie Lou Higgins Green was born on July 8, 1931 to Claude and May Higgins in Polk County Mo. She passed away February 12, 2014 in Oklahoma City, OK. Dollie was the oldest of five daughters and worked alongside her father working the family farm. At age 6 she decided she wanted to be a teacher. Once she set her sights on that goal, she proceeded to make it a reality. She graduated second in her class at Walnut Grove High School in 1949 because of a clerical error that was discovered after graduation which would have made her the class Valedictorian. At 18 she started school at SMS University in Springfield, Mo. In August of 1949 she signed her first teaching contract on the fender of car and started her teaching career at Oak Grove School. Oak Grove was a one room school house where she taught grades 1-8. She would live briefly with the Barnes family before moving in with the McCaslin family.
At the school pie supper that fall, she would meet Claude Green. The dashing young man at home recovering from surgery had lost the coin toss with his friends and had to purchase the teachers dinner. After a three year courtship he became her husband of 60 years. He precedes her in death. The two eloped on May 27, 1952 and moved to Dodge City, Ks where Claude went to work driving a truck and Dollie established their new home. In the fall of 1952, they moved to Wichita, Ks where they started their family. Dollie went to work for LC Jackson’s Furniture Store where she worked until their daughter Debbie was born. Three years later they welcomed a son Don. Dollie continued teaching and going to the university. In 1964 graduated from Wichita State University with her degree in Elementary Education. She continued to take classes at Wichita State until her retirement. In 1965, they welcomed a daughter Connie and in 1966 she started teaching at Will G. Price Elementary where she taught until 1977 when the family moved to Barton County, Mo.
Dollie starting teaching first grade when she returned to Missouri and taught at Bronough and Liberal until 1984.
In 1984, they moved back to Kansas and she started teaching in the Valley Center School District, where she taught until retirement. When she retired in 1993, she had been teaching for over 38 years and had taught hundreds of children to read and write. She was honored as Valley Center Teacher of the Year in 1993. She and Claude retired together and built their dream home in Barton County. They lived there until Claude’s death in 2012.
Following Claude’s death, she moved to Oklahoma City where she lived with Jim and Connie for six months. She and Jim enjoyed watching the Walton’s in the afternoon when he came home from work and she enjoyed spending time with the dogs and visiting with her Oklahoma friends. She lived with them until her health started to fail and she moved in an assisted living center minutes from their house. While living at Timberwood she enjoyed attending church services, parties, art and crafts, listening to music and visiting with her new friends and caregivers. Everyone at Timberwood loved “Miss Dollie” and she enjoyed talking to them. She enjoyed her outings with Connie and they even made a couple of trips to Wichita, having dinner with family and good friends at the Santa Fe Steakhouse and shopping at Hobby Lobby and Target. She also experienced her first earthquake and an F5 tornado.
Dollie enjoyed reading, sewing, gardening, shopping, asking questions, learning new things and traveling. In 1987, she and Connie flew to California, her first flight to visit her dear cousin Jeannie and all of the “California Cousins.” That was just the first of many trips that she and Connie would make including a cruise to the Bahamas’, trips to Branson, Mo; Daytona Beach and Cedar Key Florida, where they spent time with Nancy Jo, Dollies youngest sister. Their last flight home was on Sept 10, 2001 where their plane was delayed on the tarmac waiting for Air Force One to land in Jacksonville.- She and Claude enjoyed trips to Minnesota to visit with her sister Mary and her husband, L. Jay. There they would spend their days fishing and visiting. After retirement they would make weekend trips to Oklahoma City to visit with Connie and Jim or head to Wichita where they would visit with their son Don and their good friends the Cochran’s. They would also take day trips to visit Debbie and sons.
Dollie was an adventurer, a beloved wife and mother, a role model for her younger sisters, a devoted daughter, good friend to many and a dedicated educator. She had a quest for knowledge, a drive to succeed, a unique prospective of the world and she loved to talk. She was a member of the Community of Christ Church.
Dollie is survived by her children- Jim & Connie Root- Oklahoma City, OK- Don Green-Wichita, KS, Debby & Greg Harper Howard, KS and grandson and his wife Charlie and Amber Davis, Paragold AR. Her sisters, Mary Alice Myers Bismarck, ND; Shirley Boyles, Broken Arrow, OK; Nancy Jo Reece Valdosta, Ga and numerous nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her beloved husband Claude, sister Carol Ray, parents Claude and May Higgins and grandson Greg Davis.
Graveside services will be held Saturday, Feb. 15th, 2014 at Bakers Grove Cemetery at 10:00 am. Informal visitation will be on Friday Feb. 14th.
Donations may be made to the Baker’s Grove Cemetery in care of Daniel Funeral Home.
Condolences can be left at www.danielfuneralhome.net
Saturday, February 15, 2014
Velda Moore
Velda Jean Moore, age 83, of Lamar, MO died Thursday, February 13, 2014 at Freeman Hospital West, Joplin, MO.
Velda was born August 30, 1930 at Newport, MO to Frank Voorhees and Myrtle Mae (Francis) Voorhees. She graduated high school and attended nurse aide training. She went to work at the original Barton County Memorial Hospital the second night it was open. On November 11, 1950 she married Floyd Dale Moore at Granby, MO and together they raised four children. They would have celebrated 64 years of marriage this year. Velda spent most of her life as a homemaker and enjoyed quilting, crocheting and sewing clothes for her children. She also enjoyed collecting angels. Velda had been a member of the Boston United Methodist Church until it closed.
Velda leaves behind her husband Floyd Moore; one son, Floyd “Dale” Moore Jr. and wife Debra of Lamar, MO; three daughters, Susan & Michael Ball of Lamar, Sandra Harris of Lamar, and Jeannie & James Gastel of Jasper, MO; one brother, Jerry & Nell Voorhees, of Lamar, MO; 11 grandchildren Ben, Brian & Brad Ball, Mathew Harris, Heather DeFratus, Stephanie Page, Angie Gastel, Jessica Vaughan, Derek Moore, Cassie Welch, and Matthew Robinson; 27 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-grandchild.
Funeral service will be 10:00 am Monday, February 17, 2014 at Daniel Funeral Home with burial to follow at Memory Gardens Cemetery.
Contributions are suggested to Wyatt Guest House or Ellis Fischel Cancer Center in care of Daniel Funeral Home.
Bub Curless
Charles Emmett “Bub” Curless, age 83, of Lamar, passed away Friday, February 14, 2014 at his home.
Bub was born February 3, 1931 at Verdella, Missouri, the son of Happy and Mary (Bloom) Curless. He graduated along with seven classmates from Liberal High School in the class of 1948 and began an interesting and varied career path that has left a rich legacy in Barton County. In addition to farming with his parents, Bub operated the Allis-Chalmers implement dealership in Liberal. During the 1950’s Curless Implement was the top selling Allis Chalmers dealership in North America. In 1960 he built, and for many years, operated Hillcrest Lanes in Lamar. Bub Curless Construction and its nation-wide projects were a tribute to Bub’s integrity and fostered lasting friendships in many parts of the country. Over the years, Bub participated in many other business ventures and never shied away from any challenge. His highest priority and greatest joy was his family and friends.
Always active in his community, Bub was a member of Lamar United Methodist Church, Mt. Hermon Lodge, AF & AM, York Rite, Scottish Rite, Abou Ben Adhem Shrine, Mirza Shrine, Barton County Shrine Club, Lamar Elks Lodge and A.O.P.A. He will be remembered by many as a great philanthropist who chose to help others in a quiet and dignified manner.
On October 15, 1950, in Lamar, Bub married the love of his life, Janet Streeper and they have celebrated over 63 years together. In addition to Janet, Bub is survived by a son, Charles (Nancy) Curless and a daughter, Jerri (Craig) Finley, all of Lamar; a sister, Lois Crowe of Nevada, Missouri; six grandchildren, Amy (Mike) Marrone, Julie (Bo) Bennett, Ann (Jason) Killmon, Ryan (Carri) Finley, Melissa Finley, and Matthew Finley; and seven great-grandchildren, Emma, Avery, and Tatem Bennett, Jack and Laila Killmon, Kyler and Jaden Finley.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, February 17th, at Lamar United Methodist Church with burial in Lake Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. Sunday at Lamar United Methodist Church.
Contributions are suggested to St. Jude Children’s Hospital or Lamar United Methodist Church in care of Daniel Funeral Home.
Friday, February 14, 2014
Vera Severs
Vera J. Severs, age 90 of Joplin, Mo. went to be with her Heavenly Father on February 13, 2013 following an illness.
She was born February 21, 1923 in Miami, Ok to Robert and Martha (Davis) Watts.
Vera was raised in a time when modern amenities were not the norm. She was not privileged to indoor plumbing or electricity. She help her father make money by cutting wood. At times she and her father would walk five miles to cut and split wood which they sold for 75 cents a rick. Vera moved to the Greenwood community in 1944 and to Joplin, Mo. in 1953. When she was raising her children, at times she would work for Carver Turkey Farm, to be able to have turkey for the Thanksgiving and Christmas Holidays. The Lord was first in her life then her family. She loved being with her family and attending to others who were ill. She was famous for her homemade rolls, chicken and noodles. She made quilts for all of her grand, great grand, and great great grandchildren. Vera enjoyed baseball and just loved life.
Vera married William Severs on February 27, 1942 in Miami, Ok.. He preceded her in death on November 26, 1968. She then married Milton Willis on April 3, 1974 in Miami, Ok. And he preceded her in death on January 20, 2000. She was also preceded in death by 1son, Gene Severs, 4 brothers; Lester, Lawrence, Leonard and Willie Watts, 6 sisters, Zelma Sipes, Pearl Leiderbrand, Maudie Waggoner, Nora Watts, Jonell Bird, and Mildred Martin.
She is survived by 1 son, Jack Severs and wife Georgia, Joplin, Mo, 2 daughters, Linda Korb and husband Don, Miami, Ok., Carolyn Eckhoff and husband Harold, Joplin, Mo., 11 grandchildren, 26 great grandchildren and 33 great great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be 2:00 P.M. Monday February 17, 2014 at the Mason-Woodard Mortuary chapel with pastors Brad Graves and Tod Harter officiating. Burial will follow at the Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Sunday February 16, 2014 from 2:00 P.M. to 3:00 P.M. at the mortuary. The family wishes to express a special thanks to the National Health Care for their kindness, love and attention and a special thanks to Lloyd, Megan, Tracy, Joe, Shelby and Elvis.
Arrangements are under the direction of Mason-Woodard Mortuary & Crematory.
Tracy Prigg
Tracy Karl Prigg, age 55 of Webb City went to be with his heavenly father on Wednesday, February 12, 2014 at his home surrounded by his loving family and friends after a courageous battle with cancer.
Tracy was born on August 25, 1958 in Webb City, Missouri to Carl and the late Virginia Prigg. He grew up in Oronogo, Missouri and graduated from Webb City High School in 1976. He continued his education at Crowder College in Neosho, Missouri on a basketball scholarship. Tracy then transferred to MSSU and graduated with a teaching degree. He was a physical education teacher and athletic director. Tracy was also a head coach of many sports including girls and boys basketball, softball, baseball, and volleyball. He retired in 2010 from Wheaton Schools where he worked for 17 years, which concluded his 30 year stint.
After retiring, he was an avid golfer, officiated basketball, and umpired softball and baseball. Tracy trusted the Lord and was saved at the age of 14. He was currently a member of Wellspring Church in Webb City, Missouri.
He is survived by his father, Carl “Bud” Prigg, of Webb City; a brother Ricky Prigg of Illinois; a sister Linda Mayes and her husband George of Webb City; a sister Kimberly Spencer and her husband Rick of Republic, and numerous nieces and nephews. A celebration of Tracy’s life will be held at 4:00 PM Saturday, February 15, 2014 at Forest Park Baptist Church on the Carthage Campus with Scott Smith officiating. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Tracy Prigg Memorial fund in care of Security Bank of Southwest Missouri, P.O. Box 606, Cassville, MO 65625. Funds will used for students of the Wheaton School District. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Simpson Funeral Home in Webb City. Visit www.simpsonfh.com for online condolences.
Thursday, February 13, 2014
Margaret Boatman
Margaret Elizabeth Boatman, 91, of Joplin, Missouri, passed away on Monday, February 10, 2014 at Freeman Health Systems.
She was born August 26, 1922, in San Bernardino, California to the late Elmer and Ethel Mae (Fenton) Paine.
Margaret married the love of her life, John Boatman, on June 15, 1940, just three days after graduating high school. They were married for 73 loving years. Margaret loved the Lord and was a faithful servant, always doing anything needed in the church. She was a devoted wife, mother and grandma. Her husband and family were her joy and delight here on earth. She had a beautiful smile, bright eyes and a very loving heart. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
Margaret is survived by her husband John, of the home; two children, son, Phillip Alan Boatman and his wife Karen of Escondido, CA, daughter, Linda Diane Boles and husband Kenny of Joplin; four grandchildren, Kim Boatman and April McBride of Escondido, CA, Leigh Anne Johnson of Franklin, IN and Eric Boles of Shawnee, KS; four great-grandchildren, Hope McBride, Sydney Johnson, Simon and Sarah Boles; and many, many nieces and nephews. She was proceeded in death by her parents, sister, Callean Petersen and brother, Allen Paine..
A celebration of life will be held Saturday, February 15, 2014 at 11:30 AM at Villa Heights Christian Church.
Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Parker Mortuary, Joplin, Missouri.
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
Daniel Goodrum
Daniel Eugene Goodrum, age 93, of Lamar, passed away Wednesday, February 12, 2014 at Truman Healthcare Center.
Dan was born February 1, 1921 near Garden City, Missouri, one of the three children of James and Elva (Hough) Goodrum. He moved with his family to Lamar in 1937 and graduated from Lamar High School with the class of 1939.
A decorated World War II veteran, Dan served in the U.S. Army from 1940 through 1945. He fought in the Aleutian Islands, France, Belgium and Germany, was wounded three times, and awarded a Purple Heart and two Oak Leaf Clusters. Returning home, Dan began a 38 year career with Barton County REA, hiring on as a lineman and retiring in 1982 as a line superintendent. He then maintained the Barton County Courthouse lawn for 14 years. He was a member of Lamar United Methodist Church, VFW Post 3691, Lamar Optimist Club and Elks Lodge.
On November 3, 1946, in Girard, Kansas, Dan married the love of his life, Velma Elrod and they have celebrated more than 67 years together. In addition to Velma, Dan is survived by a son, Jim (Carol) Goodrum, Asheville, North Carolina; two daughters, Susie (George) Koerble, Fair Grove, Missouri and Brenda (Mike) Willet, Branson, Missouri; a sister, Alberta Greer, Springfield, Missouri; seven grandchildren, Galen (Natasha) Goodrum, Erin Goodrum, Andrea (Trevor) Bray, Megan Willet, Wendy (Wayne) Inman, Brian (Edna) Koerble, and Jennifer (Mark) Yount; and nine great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Elva, and a brother James Goodrum.
The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 7:00 p.m. Friday at Daniel Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, February 15th at Lamar United Methodist Church followed by burial with military honors in Memory Gardens Cemetery.
Memorial contributions are suggested to Nathan’s Place or Lamar United Methodist Church in care of the funeral home.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)