Saturday, December 4, 2021

Obituary - Mercer Guy Bailey

Mercer G. Bailey, a journalist with The Associated Press for 47 years who helped develop the careers of many AP staffers and witnessed the movement of news from Morse Code and Teletype printers to the satellite and internet, died Nov. 20, 2021, at the age of 94.

He died at Belton (Mo.) Regional Medical Center from complications of COVID-19, his family said.

He is survived by his wife Rosalee Ann Walker Bailey, whom he married in 1992; daughters Marcia Jeanne Bailey of Fairway, Kan., and Lynn Bailey Kruse (Kevin) of Overland Park, Kan.; grandchildren Alison Jeanne Kruse of Manhattan, N.Y., and Austin Joseph Kruse of Overland Park, Kan.; and stepchildren Steve Walker of Kansas City Mo., Leanne Barry (Jim) of Lake Winnebago, Mo., Mary Walker of Raymore, Mo.; grandchildren Jason Nickles, Kansas City, Mo., Lauren Walker and Katie Walker, both of Raymore, Mo.; niece, Sandy Parker, Manor, Texas, and nephew, Randy Staton, Atlanta, Ga.

Bailey was preceded in death by his first wife Jeanne Hand Bailey, who died in 1987; his father Guy Hunter Bailey and mother Frances Corrine Bailey; sister Dorothy (Dot) Bailey Staton; brother John Wesley Bailey, and stepson David Walker.

Mercer Guy Bailey was born Nov. 29, 1926, in West Palm Beach, Fla. He was 17 years old when he joined The Associated Press in its Atlanta bureau in May of 1943 and also worked in Mobile, Ala. After service with the U.S. Army in post-war Japan in 1945-47, he returned to AP as news editor in Montgomery, Ala., where in covering politics, he met a freshman state legislator named George Wallace.

He returned to Atlanta in 1948 and over the ensuing years was a regional sports writer, covering major events across the South including the Masters, college football bowl games and interviewing such figures as Bobby Jones, Arnold Palmer and Bear Bryant. It was while on assignment in Miami that Bailey met Jeanne Hand who he married in 1957.

He was promoted to the General Desk at AP Headquarters in New York City in 1963 and among top editors he worked with at 50 Rockefeller Plaza was Louis D. Boccardi, who later became president and chief executive of the AP, the world's largest and oldest news organization. Today, it delivers news to more than 15,000 news outlets around the globe.

At the time of Bailey's retirement, Boccardi said, "Mercer symbolizes some of the AP's finest traditions, a tough, demanding news instinct, unquenchable enthusiasm for his work, high standards and an affection bordering on love for AP and its place in the news stream."

Bailey worked in New York for five years before his appointment in 1968 as St. Louis correspondent. He was promoted in 1970 to assistant chief of bureau in Kansas City, helping oversee AP news operations in Kansas and Missouri, and served in that position until his retirement in 1990.

His dedication was exemplified in 1981 when the skywalks at the Hyatt Hotel in Kansas City collapsed, killing and injuring more than 200 people, Bailey was hospitalized at the time for treatment of a painful arthritic condition but he climbed out of bed and hurried to the emergency room to interview survivors.

"What amazes me about Mercer is how he started in an era of Morse Code and Teletypes and yet stayed in the vanguard of all the technological advances that have made the AP what it is today - the world's news leader," said Paul Stevens, who was Kansas City chief of bureau during the last six years of Bailey's career. "He loved the AP, was highly protective of keeping the news report unbiased and strong, and advanced the careers of many, including mine."

Bailey was described by his daughters as a Southern gentleman, incredibly smart, witty, kind, a perfectionist, loving, genuine and patient. He loved his “honeys” (as he would always call us) - Jeanne, Marcia, Lynn and Rosie.

In retirement, Bailey and his wife Rosie enjoyed the lake life with their children and grandchildren from their combined families at Lake Winnebago, Mo. He loved fishing, especially in the early mornings. When the grandchildren were younger he got the biggest kick out of pulling them behind the boat on inner tubes and hearing their laughter. They loved going to all the grandchildren’s sporting events, concerts, plays and other activities. He and Rosie enjoyed traveling. Their big trip was to Australia and they also enjoyed going to Rosie’s family cabin near Fraser, Colorado. They spent several winters in the warmer climates of Marco Island, Tucson, and Corpus Christi. Bailey could spend hours tinkering at his workbench and even took up the hobby of stained glass. He was an avid sports fan and especially enjoyed watching college and pro football. He had the KC Star delivered to his doorstep every day and would start his day with his coffee, reading the paper from front to back, and doing the crossword puzzle which he was always able to complete.

In lieu of flowers the family would suggest a memorial donation to the Beta Sigma Phi American flag project. Money donated will help purchase a large American flag that will be placed at the Yacht Club at Lake Winnebago. Please make checks payable to Beta Sigma Phi and mail to Carolyn Alm, 213 Tuscarora Lane, Lake Winnebago, MO 64034.


Archie woman injured in Henry County crash

On December 3rd around 10:42 a.m. the Missouri State Highway Patrol in Henry County along with the Henry County Sheriff's Office responded to a one vehicle accident at 579 NE 501 Road in Calhoun.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol says the accident occurred when the Subaru Legacy driven by 32 year old Jamie L. Moore of Archie, Missouri traveled off the right side of the roadway and overturned.

Jamie L. Moore sustained moderate injuries and she was transported by ambulance to Cass Regional Medical Center for treatment.

The vehicle was totaled and towed from the scene of this accident by Gary's Wrecker of Clinton.

View crash report below:

Obituary - Darrell Stevener

Darrell Stevener, age 67 of Rich Hill, Missouri passed away at his home December 2, 2021. Funeral Arrangements and family information will be announced later by the Heuser Funeral Home, Rich Hill.

Funeral Service will be held at 10:00 am, Tuesday, December 7th at the Rich Hill First Baptist Church.

Visitation will be from 5-7 pm, Monday, December 6th at the Heuser Funeral Home, Rich Hill, Missouri. Burial will be in the Green Lawn Cemetery.

Obituary - Doris Evelyn Folsom

Doris Evelyn Folsom, 86, Harrisonville, MO, passed away Wednesday, December 1, 2021 at her home. Inurnment/Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, December 6, 2021 at Mt. Washington Cemetery in Independence, MO. Memorial contributions may be made to Susan G. Komen Cancer Center (komen.org).

Doris was born September 27, 1935 in Winfield, KS, a daughter of Emery and Violet (Leach) Lanier. She was a 1954 graduate of Atlanta, Kansas High School and immediately after graduating, she joined the U. S. Navy, serving in 1955 and 1956. Doris was united in marriage to Eddie Robert Boles in Wichita, Kansas in 1956 and they were married for 9 years before getting a divorce. Doris married Robert Franklin Folsom on July 21, 1981 in Buchanan, MO.

Doris had worked at the Federal Building downtown Kansas City, MO as a file clerk for 25 years before retiring in 1999. She had lived in Winfield, KS until 1960 before moving to Kansas City in 1960, where she lived until moving to Harrisonville in 2005.

Doris was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Robert on May 25, 2001, one brother, Orville Lanier, and a brother-in-law, J. D. Williamson. She is survived by two sons, James Boles, (Laurel) Harrisonville, MO and Robert Boles, DeSoto, KS; one daughter, Dana Folsom, Warsaw, MO; one brother, Lester Lanier, Douglass, KS; one sister, Thelma Williamson, Douglass, KS; sister-in-law, Gertrude Lanier, Edgerton, MO; 7 grandchildren: Perry Boles (Tami), Kody Boles, Kelsey Gordon (Joel), Dusty L. Boles, Gabrielle Harris, Alisha Emery, and Kayla Laffoon, and 7 great-grandchildren. Also, numerous nieces and nephews.


Obituary - Otha Kenneth Scrivener Sr.

Otha Kenneth Scrivener Sr., age 91, of Raymore, Missouri, passed away peacefully on Thursday, December 2, 2021.

A visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 7, 2021 at Cullen Funeral Home, 612 W. Foxwood Dr. Raymore, Missouri. A funeral service will be held following visitation at the funeral home at 2:00 p.m. with interment at Raymore Cemetery in Raymore, Missouri.

Otha was born in Urbana, Missouri on March 10, 1930 to Earl and Ica Scrivener. After high school Otha furthered his education and for most of his life worked remanufacturing electronic car parts, eventually owning his own shop. He served his country in the United States Navy Reserves for four years. In the summer of 1950, Otha was joined in marriage with his wife Lora Lee (Reynolds) on June 3rd. Their union was blessed with five children. Otha was a man of Baptist faith and for many years attended the First Baptist Church of Raymore. In life Otha was known for his love of golfing and was even awarded for his hole-in-one at the Shamrock Hills Golf Club in Lee’s Summit, Missouri. Throughout life Otha loved all types of sports including gymnastics, bowling, handball, and pool.

Otha was preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Ica Scrivener; four brothers, Ova Franz Scrivener, James Olin Scrivener, Orbert Dean Scrivener, and Oliver Earl Scrivener; and sister, Iva Rosalie Dowell.

He is survived by his loving wife of over seventy-one years, Lora Scrivener; two sons, Otha Kenneth Scrivener Jr. and Dennis Michael Scrivener; three daughters, Sharon Kay Ramsey, Jeri Ellen Moran (Daniel), and Jacqulyn Marie Scrivener; brother, Orlin Robert Scrivener (Nancy); twelve grandchildren; eight great grandchildren; and one great-great grandchild.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the American Cancer Society online at www.cancer.org

Arrangements: Cullen Funeral Home, Raymore, Missouri 816.322.5278



Kid-Friendly Food Boxes for Kids of Vernon County!

The Vernon County Sheriff's Office 9th annual kid-friendly food drive is under way. Until December 23 you can drop off donations at the following locations; Vernon County Sheriff's Office lobby, Woods, both Dollar General locations, and all local schools. 

We want to thank our community for helping to make this possible year after year, and hope to deliver to as many kids as possible.
 
Suggested food items are: single serving snacks, cereals, and mac and cheese, pre-packaged snacks, juice boxes, hot cocoa, and any other non-perishable item. 

We ask all canned goods to be the easy open tops. For more information, please contact the Sheriff's Office at 417-283-4400.

Ellett Memorial Hospital Apple of the Week!



Friday, December 3, 2021

Lamar Tigers fall short today in state championship game

The Lamar Tigers were defeated by the Lutheran St. Charles Cougars with a score of 33-27 in the Class 2 State Championship this afternoon that was held at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium in Columbia.

Lamar finishes the season 13-1 and will fall short on a repeat championship as they won last year 6-3 over St. Pius (Kansas City).

The play of this game was a 3 yard touchdown run with 6 seconds left by St. Charles Lutheran Senior running back Arlen Harris Jr. who will play his college football at Stanford.

Mid America Live would like to congratulate the tigers on a great season and runner up in the Class 2 State Championship.

#TheBrotherhood #LamarTigerPride 



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