Opal Buzbee

(From Greenfield Funeral Chapel)

On March 21, 2017, Opal Evelyn (Keen) Buzbee, of Greenfield, MO, received the most prestigious invite of her life. She got the call for supper time in Heaven.

Opal was born June 12, 1928 in a place called Keentown in Duette, FL. She was one of six children born to Jacob and Martha Keen. Opal attended school in a little one room schoolhouse in Duette, FL through the 8th grade. At that time it was necessary for her to be a help to her family on their little homestead.

Opal met the love of her life while working at Woolworths in Palmetto, FL. On March 13, 1947 Opal married Nebraska Buzbee Jr. Nebraska and Opal made their home in Old Sun City, FL. There they raised their four children. Their youngest was called home to Heaven at the tender age of 5.

Opal was a strong, opinionated, and talented woman who was loved and respected by many. If she wasn’t teaching Sunday school or strumming her guitar on the worship team at church, you could find her sitting quietly somewhere writing her beautiful poetry. She was actually a published poet. Opal spent a great deal of her time playing secretary, momma, and counselor to the many deckhands who worked on her husband’s tugboat. Opal treated all the guys as it they were family even giving some of them a temporary place to live. It was a busy task being the wife of a tugboat Captain, but opal always found time to pick up her guitar and teach many old songs and hymns to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She loved music, and she loved kids of all ages. Her home was a refuge for many of the neighborhood children. You could find them playing on her porch swing or in her backyard pool. Opal would greet all the little ones with a “hey darlin,” and always had a full cookie jar and a glass of sweet tea for them all.

Opal was preceded in her homecoming by her parents, Jacob and Martha Keen; three siblings, John Keen, Shirley (Keen) Bass, and Juanita (Keen) Colson; one daughter, Jacqueline Michelle Buzbee; and her sweet husband Nebraska Buzbee Jr. They are all celebrating in Heaven with her now.

She is survived by one son, Ronald Clayton Buzbee Sr. and wife Debbie of Greenfield, MO; and two daughters, Carol Elaine Flannery and husband Ray of Lamar, MO and Vickie Brown of Lamar, MO. Her legacy also continues with eight grandchildren; eighteen great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.

Opal will be loved and missed by her family and the many friends she had near and far.

Arrangements are pending at this time.

LaVada Stephens

(From Parker Mortuary)

LaVada Ruth Stephens, formerly of Carl Junction, Missouri, went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Tuesday, March 21, 2017, at Baptist Health Center in Conway, Arkansas. She was a member of the Christian Church of Carl Junction, in Carl Junction, Missouri.

Mrs. Stephens was born on May 1, 1932, in St. Joe, Arkansas, to Lonnie and Lula Daniel. As a young child, she and her family moved to Carl Junction, Missouri. She graduated from Carl Junction High School in 1951. After graduation, she married Melvin Dale Stephens. After the birth of their first son, Alan Dale Stephens, they moved to Miami, Oklahoma where she was a homemaker and also worked at Gibson's Discount Store, Safeway, and the Miami News Record. Their second son, David Keith Stephens, was born in Miami. In 1970, she and her family moved to Bartlesville, Oklahoma. Later that same year, they moved back to Carl Junction, where she lived most of her life, helping to support her family working at several jobs, including OTASCO, College Press and Wal-Mart.

She loved her family and was an amazing wife and mother. She loved to laugh, often getting so "tickled" that she couldn't breathe. Her greatest source of pride was her sons. Her five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren were the joys of her life. She loved her daughters-in-law and often commented how happy she was that her sons had such good wives. She lived a good life, laughing, working hard, and loving those around her well. But most importantly, she loved the Lord - and taught her boys to love the Lord. She never complained about her life. She embraced it.

Mrs. Stephens was preceeded in death by her husband, her son, Alan, her brother, R.B. Daniel, an infant brother, E.L., and her parents.

She is survived by her son David and his wife Kelly, of Vilonia, Arkansas, her daughter-in-law, Beth Stephens, of Carl Junction and her sister, Bonnie Betz, of Carl Junction. In addition, she is survived by 5 grandchildren; Alison Wilkins and her husband, Ben, of Pittsburg, Kansas, Andrea Stephens of Carl Junction, Isabelle Stephens, Lula Stephens and Samuel Stephens, all three of Vilonia, Arkansas. She is also survived by two great-grandchildren, Lydia and Eamon Wilkins of Pittsburg. Survivors also include 5 nieces and nephews as well as great nieces and nephews and many cousins.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 25, at the Christian Church of Carl Junction. Interment will follow at the Carl Junction Cemetery.

A visitation will be held at Parker Mortuary in Joplin, Missouri, on Friday, March 24, from 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Sam Dixon

(From Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home)

Sam Vickroy Dixon, owner of Dixon Financial and Insurance Services, died Sunday, March 19, 2017, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital.

Sam was born April 17, 1928, in St. Louis, Mo., to Arthur and Hester Vickroy Dixon. He lived in Granite City, Ill. until moving to St. Louis in 1941, when his father passed away. He was then raised by his father's sister and husband, Hazel & Harry Malseed until 1948, when he went to the New York Giants Minor League training site in Stanford, Fla. Previously, Sam was signed by the St. Louis Cardinals in 1946 while playing for Harris Teacher's College. Sam had three children, Bruce, Mark, and Karen, and five siblings, Anabel, Norman, Susan, Arthur, Hester, and a half brother, Charles. After playing four years of Minor League Baseball, including playing for the Carthage Cubs in 1946, he worked for the Santa Fe Railway in Chanute, Kan. In 1958, he entered the insurance business. While in Chanute, Sam managed the American Legion Baseball Team for many years. He and his wife, Babs, were Neosho County Chairmen of the Cancer Crusade for several years.

Sam and his family moved to Lawrence in 1963 to be the Home Office Agent for Standard Life Insurance Co. for one year. He then became an Independent Agent and Broker for the rest of his insurance career. In 1976, he and his beloved wife Babs were chairmen of having the fire hydrants in Lawrence painted as Revolutionary Soldiers for the Bicentennial.

Memorial services will be held at 11 am Saturday at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, with Don Cunningham officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.

Memorial contributions are suggested St. John Catholic School or Senior Wheels, in care of the funeral home, 601 Indiana St., Lawrence, KS, 66044. Online condolences may be sent at rumsey-yost.com -

Charles Brooks

(From Paul Thomas Funeral Home)

Charles Everett Brooks of Commerce, OK passed away Monday, March 20, 2017 at Porta Caeli House in Tulsa, OK. He was 95.

Charles was born November 11, 1921 in McCune, KS to William M. and Emma C. (Sinclair) Brooks. He had lived in the Commerce area most of his life. He worked for Southwestern Bell Telephone Company in Miami for 36 years 6 months and 18 days as a lineman. He served in the U.S. Army during WWII and was a Prisoner of War in Germany for almost a year.
His hobby’s includes hunting, fishing, car racing, tractor pulls and woodworking.

He married Ruby Jewell (Booth) Brooks on December 20, 1941. She preceded him in death May 29, 2003. He was also preceded in death by a son Charles A. Brooks, his parents and 3 sisters Hazel M. Karns, Lillie Karns and Chester Karns.

Survivors include his son Gary E. Brooks and wife Carolyn of Neosho, MO, his daughters Carolyn J. Adams and husband Robert of Broken Arrow and Linda S. Adair of Broken Arrow, OK, a Brother William M. “Junior” Brooks, Jr. of Frontenac, KS, 7 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren and a great great granddaughter

Funeral Services will be Thursday, March 23, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. at the Paul Thomas Funeral Home Chapel in Commerce, OK. Rev. Jed Hall will officiate. Interment will be in G.A.R. Cemetery in Miami, OK. Pallbearers will be Braden Dale, Jeff Dale, Mark Adair, Jarrett Gilliam, Randy Bean and Matt Myssee. Military Rites will be conducted by American Legion Post # 147 Funeral Detail. The family will receive friends from 6 to 7 p.m. Wednesday evening at the Commerce Chapel. Services have been placed in the care of the Paul Thomas Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Commerce, OK. Online condolences may be made at www.paulthomasfuneralhomes.com

Laura Gideon

(From Ozark Funeral Home)

Laura Carolyn Gideon, 82, of Pineville, Missouri, departed this life on Friday morning, March 17, 2017, at the McDonald County Living Center, after a long illness.

Laura entered this life on February 28, 1935, in Pineville, Missouri, born to the late Cecil and Josephine (Wardlaw) Price. She graduated from Will Rogers High School in Tulsa, Oklahoma. In 1956, she graduated from St. John’s School of Nursing in Tulsa. On February 1, 1958, in Vinita, Oklahoma, she was united in marriage to Charles “Chuck” Gideon and to this union one daughter was born. They resided in Harrisburg, Illinois and Hawaii before moving home to Pineville, Missouri, in 1980. Laura was a dedicated Registered Nurse for over thirty-nine years, retiring in 1995, because of health concerns. She enjoyed reading, playing bridge, bird watching and spending time with her family. Laura was a devote Catholic throughout her life.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and two siblings, John Price and Frances Nichols.

Laura is survived by her husband of fifty-nine years, Chuck Gideon of the home; a daughter, Cathi Sweat and husband, Jim, of Coweta, Oklahoma; two grandchildren; three great grandchildren; a sister, Thursa Plumlee and husband, Jerry, of Rogers, Arkansas; several nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other family and friends.

Memorial services for Mrs. Gideon are 10:30 a.m. Friday, March 24, 2017, at St. Canera’s Catholic Church in Neosho, Missouri, with Father Derek Swanson officiating. In lieu of flowers memorials are being directed to the McDonald County Living Center Resident Activities Fund c/o the funeral home. On-line condolences may be sent to the family through our website, www.ozarkfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are under the personal care and direction of the Ozark Funeral Home in Anderson, Missouri.

Cleva Ellis

(From Mason-Woodard Mortuary)

Cleva Fern Ellis passed from this earth on March 20 at Legacy Circle of Life Bentonville, AR.
Born January 5, 1921 in McDonald County, Missouri to Paten G Hall and Dollie G (Hendrix) Hall. Attended McDonald Schools, graduated from Washburn High school, class of 1939. She was senior queen, had starring role in senior class play and was a star basketball guard leading the team to state.

Married Claud C Ellis on May 27, 1939. She taught grades 1 through 8 for McDonald County School System before the family moved to Joplin in 1950. She was an accountant for Tire Company, Reno Motors and a Marketing Catalog Specialist for Sears & Roebuck.

She liked to play cards, bowl and watch all sports even though her favorite was the St. Louis Cardinals.

She was preceded in death by her parents, spouse, brother and sister-in-law Negel and Peggy Hall, son-in-law Jim Sperry and grandson Doug Sperry.

She is survived by her daughter, Gloria Sperry; grandson, Brent Sperry and wife Janice. Grand-daughter in law, Jane Sperry. Nephew, Rick Hall. Other survivors are eight great grand-children, Bradley, Michael, Steven, Rebecca, Jacob, Elizabeth, Patrick and Kara Sperry. Six great great-grand-children; Gabriel, William, Mason, Addison, Hadley, and Harper Sperry. Numerous nieces, nephews and a host of friends.

Services will be 10:00 a.m. Friday March 24, 2017 at the Mason-Woodard Chapel. Reverend Gerald Bass will officiate. Burial will be in the Roller Cemetery, Washburn, Mo. The family will receive friends from 6 – 7 p.m. Thursday evening at the mortuary.

Memorial contributions may be sent to Roller Cemetery Association at 1367 State Hwy 90, Washburn, MO 65772 or Generations Free Will Baptist Church at 2301 Connecticut, Joplin, MO 64804.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Mason-Woodard Mortuary.

Norma Duncan

(From Mason-Woodard Mortuary)

Norma Nadean Duncan, of Joplin, crossed over to be with her heavenly Father, March 18, 2017, at her home, surrounded by her loved ones.

Norma was born January 8, 1920, in Neck City, Missouri, the daughter of William “Mike” Dillon and Maude (Garrison) Dillon. She was preceded in death by three brothers Norman, Dorance, Jack and a daughter Kathaleen Sue Westfall.
June 5, 1948 she married Johnie A. Duncan. Now deceased.

Norma worked for Elders Shirt Factory, Piggly Wiggly and Messenger Bible Book Store where she retired in 1982. Norma was a devoted loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She led a godly example daily before her family and all who met her. She loved The Lord with all her heart and never failed to give Him glory. She was a prayer warrior her entire adult life. She loved to spend time with her family and friends.

She is survived by one daughter Sharron (Duncan) Lassiter, husband Charles of Joplin; four grandchildren, Joshua Westfall, Heather Lassiter, Angela Westfall and Nathan Lassiter; three great-grandchildren, Celese, Dylan, and Arrow.
Services will be held at Joplin Family Worship Center March 22 , 2017 at 2:00 p.m. Interment will be at Purcell Friends cemetery.

The family request contribution’s be made to the Gideon’s in care of the Mortuary.