Shirley Bradford

(From Fraker Funeral Home)

Shirley Lee Hensley Bradford, age 92, of Harriman, TN entered eternal rest early Saturday morning, September 23, 2023, at NHC Healthcare in Oak Ridge, TN, as the final chapter of her wonderful life came to a close. 

Shirley was born December 3, 1930 in Wichita, KS to Lee and Ruth Hensley, one of five children. She attended Wichita East High School, where she met the love of her life, fellow student and future husband, Wendell Bradford. 

After high school graduation, she attended college at Ottawa University in Ottawa, KS and Friends University in Wichita, KS. On March 10, 1950 she and Wendell were married at Immanuel Baptist Church in Wichita, KS by Dr. George D. McClelland, their pastor and Wendell’s mentor. Shirley fully supported Wendell’s chosen calling as a newly ordained Baptist minister. Their success and commitment continued, where she provided loving familial leadership as she and Wendell teamed to pastor churches in California, Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Indiana, and Tennessee. 

Shirley was the ultimate protector of her family, her husband’s life’s work, and their shared faith, as she effortlessly and humbly melded these tasks into her loving duties as a mother and wife. She was fiercely protective of her children, constantly encouraging them to grow and succeed on their own. 

In addition to her primary role as a homemaker, Shirley worked as a bank teller, high school office administrator, and was a skilled pianist who taught piano lessons to many students. Shirley was an avid lifelong reader and her passion was solving the local paper’s crossword puzzles in record time. She also had a green thumb and enjoyed watching her many house plants thrive. She was a member of Trenton Street Baptist Church in Harriman, TN, where she led Sunday school and Bible study groups. 

Shirley was preceded in death by her husband, Wendell; parents, Lee and Ruth Hensley; brothers, Danny and Ted; sister, Juanita and daughter, Wendy Lea Bradford Hobson.

 

Her survivors include brother, Bill Hensley of Lombard, IL; daughter, Cindy Rae Bradford Kelley and husband, Daryl of Grand Island, NE; son, Randall Scott Bradford and wife, Gina of Harriman, TN; son, Robert Sandlin Bradford and wife, Diane of Cordova, TN; 10 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, one great-great grandson, and a host of special family members and friends. She will be deeply missed by all who knew, loved and respected her.

A graveside service and interment will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, September 29, 2023, at Roane Memorial Gardens in Rockwood, TN. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be made to Trenton Street Baptist Church, 519 Trenton Street, Harriman, TN 37748. Fraker Funeral Home of Kingston TN will oversee all arrangements. Messages to the family can be posted to Fraker’s on-line memorial book at www.FrakerFuneralHome.net.

Mary Hoover

(From Greenfield Funeral Chapel)

Mary A. Hoover, of Everton, MO, departed this life on Tuesday, September 26, 2023, at the age of 102.

She was born on September 24, 1921 in Greenfield, MO to Hugh and Rose (Brown) Vanhooser. Mary graduated from Greenfield High School. 

She was united in marriage to Paul Hoover on April 22, 1944 in Elizabethtown, KY. During World War II, Mary and her sisters-in-law were inspired by “Rosie the Riveter” to help in the war effort as they worked in Wichita, KS. She attended church for many years at the Hampton Presbyterian Church and the Pleasant Hill Church. 

Mary was an avid reader. She enjoyed cooking, gardening, and quilting. Mary loved her family, and they meant everything to her.

Preceding her in death were her parents, Hugh and Rose Vanhooser; her husband, Paul Hoover; one son, Jim Hoover; one grandchild, Brian Hoover; one brother, Kenneth Vanhooser; and an infant sister.

Survivors include one daughter, Bonnie Waldorf and husband Ray; one son, Bob Hoover and wife Gayle; her beloved cat, Trammy; her brother, Billy Vanhooser; three grandchildren, Scottie Hoover, Terry Hendrickson; and Brandy Palmer; four great-grandchildren, Carter Hendrickson, Kloe Hendrickson, Camden Hendrickson, and Chase Hoover; daughter-in-law, Kay Hoover; and several nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank Gentiva Hospice and Lottie Meadows for all the support provided to Mary in the recent year.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 30, 2023, at Greenfield Funeral Chapel. Burial will follow in Hampton Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Saturday from 12:00 noon until service time at the funeral chapel. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hampton Cemetery or to the donor’s choice. Services are under the care of Greenfield Funeral Chapel.

Emma Cunningham

(From Mason-Woodard Mortuary)

Emma Cunningham, age 92 Of Independence, Missouri formerly of Joplin, Missouri passed away Saturday September 23, 2023.

She was born January 26, 1931 in Blytheville, Arkansas to Lawrence and Montez (Letner) Malone.

Emma was a professor at MSSC.








She married Dick Cunningham and he preceded her in death. Emma was also preceded in death by her parents, and one brother Gerri Malone.

Emma is survived by two daughters, Ann Swartz and husband Mike, Platte City, Missouri and Kay Caldwell, Blue Springs, Missouri, and one grandson.

Graveside services will be 2:00 pm Friday September 29, 2023 at Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery with Randy Wilson minister officiating.

Arrangements are under the direction of Mason-Woodard Mortuary & Crematory Joplin, Missouri.

Marsha McCarthy

(From Mason-Woodard Mortuary)

Marsha Lynn McCarthy, 84, of Joplin, Missouri, died on September 25, 2023. She was born in Joplin on March 24, 1939, the daughter of the late Roy L. Mathews and Grace Lorene (Owens) Mathews, and stepfather Gordon Smith.

Marsha worked as an administrative assistant; one might say “the bosses’ boss”. She was a great attribute to the companies that she worked for. 

She was a very talented artist. She helped make sets for plays at College Heights Christian Church and School, and for Highest Praise at Ozark Christian College. She painted the bowling mural for the 4th Street Bowling Alley and a mural for ARM several years ago. She used to paint holiday scenes on the windows at Murphy Manor.

She was in several performances at Joplin Little Theater. She enjoyed dancing, playing the piano and making a variety of arts and crafts. Marsha loved flowers and was a wonderful gardener. She once won an award for the prettiest yard in Joplin.

Marsha was preceded in death by her parents, Roy L. Mathews and Grace Lorene (Owens) Mathews., and stepfather Gordon Smith; her brother, Michael Mathews; and her son, Jeff McCarthy. 

 She is survived by daughters; Kristin Perry and Heather (Wayne) Gruenewald; seven grandchildren, Aimee (Michael) Vaughn, Joshua (Samantha) Gruenewald, Rachel Gruenewald, Ashley (Jess) Hettinger, Bobby McCarthy, Aleena McCarthy, and Paul McCarthy; eight great grandchildren; one nephew, Scott Mathews; and one niece, Julie Blanchard.

A Celebration of Life will be held 6:00 p.m. Monday October 2nd at God’s Resort. Jay St. Clair will officiate. A reception will be held immediately following the service at God’s Resort.

In lieu of flowers, Memorial contributions may be given to the Joplin Humane Society in care of
Mason-Woodard Mortuary. Animals were certainly Marsha’s passion.

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

Mary Merchant

(From Knell Mortuary)

Mary Margery Merchant, 99, Neosho, Missouri, passed away Tuesday morning, September 26, 2023, at her home. Mary was born August 28, 1924, in Ryegate, Montana, the daughter of the late Jens Harksen and Katherine (Rorabeck) Harksen. 

She married Bion John “B.J.” Merchant on February 22, 1943, in Casper, Wyoming; he preceded her in death on June 6, 2004. 

Mary was department head for K Mart in Casper, Wyoming for many years, and upon moving to Carthage, owned and operated Carthage Glass and Home Improvement with her husband.

Survivors include a daughter, Myrna Courtney (Jerry), Neosho, Missouri; eleven grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; and many extended family and friends.

She was also preceded in death by a daughter, Jacqueline Ford; a son, B. John Merchant; and three brothers.

Per Mary’s wishes, there was cremation. Services will be held at a later date in Elgin, Nebraska. Online condolences may be expressed through www.knellmortuary.com. Arrangements are under the direction and personal care of Knell Mortuary.

Randy Myers

(From Ulmer Funeral Home)

Randall Jay Myers, 59, of Corpus Christi, Texas, passed away on August 28, 2023. Randy, as he is fondly called, was born in Joplin Missouri to Homer Myers and Barbara Carnes, he spent his childhood / younger school years in Carthage, Missouri with the rest of his family. 

He joined the U.S. Air Force in 1982 and completed his duties in 1989. He was fortunate to enjoy his occupation for the last 17 years as simulation technician.

Randy is preceded in death by his father, Homer Myers.

Those left to cherish his memories are his wife, Anna Liza; children, Tyler Myers, and Robin Myers; mother, Barbara Carnes Pulliam (Bill); nieces and nephews, Megan, Della, Aaron and Robert (Bob); three grandchildren, Dakota McKenzie, Lillian McKayla and Kailynn Jae; his two brothers and three sisters, Steven Ray, Homer Leroy, Ginger Kay, Helen Gene and Melissa; and extended family and friends.

A graveside service is scheduled for Randy at 2:00 PM on Thursday, September 28, 2023, at Park Cemetery in Carthage, Missouri.

Online condolences may be made at www.ulmerfh.com.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Ulmer Funeral Home.

Katrina Lasiter

(From Ulmer Funeral Home)

Katrina M. Lasiter, 57, of Carthage, Missouri, passed away on Monday, September 25, 2023, at Mercy Hospital in Joplin. Katrina was born on September 27, 1965, in Carthage, to Gene Laney and Sylvia “Kennel” Davis. Katrina lived in Carthage her whole life. 

She loved helping others. She worked for Visiting Angels as an in-home caregiver, and she was a huge supporter of St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. She was a true believer of the Christian faith. 

Besides working for Visiting Angels, she worked at Butterball in Carthage in the quality control department. Katrina loved spending her free time with her friends and family, especially her special niece, Autumn. Even after death, Katrina continued to help people. She was an organ donor and was able to help people in need.

Katrina was united in marriage to Scott Lasiter on March 3, 2017, in Miami, Oklahoma; he survives.
She is survived by her husband Scott Lasiter; three sons, Bruce Witt (Meghan) of Tennessee, Lathe Lasiter of Joplin, and Caden Lasiter of Joplin; one daughter, Jacqueline Witt of Joplin; two brothers, Doug Laney Sr. of Carthage, and Jackie Davis (Jane) of Carthage; and one sister Shelly Berry (Rhett) of Carthage; and her grandchildren, Easton, Adalynn, Kiara, Trevaughn, and Dante.

Katrina was preceded in death by her mother, Sylvia Davis; her in laws, Loren and Donna Lasiter; sisters-in-law, Leslie Laney and Sherrie Lasiter; and a brother-in-law, Willie Lasiter.

A memorial service will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, September 30, 2023, at Ulmer Funeral Home in Carthage, Missouri.

Online condolences may be made online at www.ulmerfh.com.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Ulmer Funeral Home.