Many prayers for the Ray-Pec Community!

We are saddened to share the news of a death in the Ray-Pec family.

Jon Shawver, a teacher at the Ray-Pec Academy and soccer coach at Ray-Pec High School, passed away this morning.

An ambulance was called to the school early this morning to assist Mr. Shawver. He was transported to the hospital, where he later passed away. We do not have additional details to share at this time.

Mr. Shawver joined the Ray-Pec staff in 2005. He was well-liked by students and fellow staff members.

Counselors and the district Mental Health Team responded to the Academy today and will be available for staff and students as they return to school next week. We will share funeral arrangements when they are available. Tonight's soccer match has been cancelled.

From the Pleasant Hill Police Department:

Police activity notification from the Pleasant Hill Police Department:

Emergency Personnel are at the Elementary School on an accidental injury. Several students were struck by a falling tree.

One student was transported to the hospital, several others were evaluated by EMS and school nursing staff. Parents have been notified.

The incident is under control and is being investigated. Please keep the students and staff in your thoughts and prayer.

Osage Valley Electric Cooperative Power Outage:

Members around the Crescent, Drexel, Amsterdam areas are experiencing an outage at this time.

Osage Valley Electric Cooperative Crews have been dispatched and power will be restored as quickly and as safely as possible.

Severe storms are expected tomorrow night

The warm temperatures with strong winds will continue through tomorrow. However, tomorrow late afternoon through the evening a cold front will move through the area bringing the chance for severe weather. The main threats will be for damaging winds however, a few tornadoes cannot be ruled out!

Obituary - Doris Roberta Thomas

Doris Roberta Thomas, 95, Harwood, MO passed away on Monday, October 28, 2024 at her home in Harwood. Doris was born July 31, 1929 in Edmond, OK to Walter Clarence and Amy (Spencer) Carlson. She married Joseph Earl Thomas on March 7, 1948 in Edmond, OK and he preceded her in death in 1991.

At the age of two, Doris came to Vernon County with her family. She attended school in Walker for eight years and graduated from El Dorado Springs High School in 1947. During her life she worked at various jobs. She was a homemaker, worked at Spencer’s Jewelry, was a traveling Avon Sales Representative, worked at Farm & Home Savings and Loan until its closing, then went to work at the Nevada Hab Center until her retirement. Doris was very instrumental in the Nazarene Church, teaching different age classes throughout her years, and traveling on missionary trips to New York, New Mexico, and Alaska. She was always there ready to help in any capacity, serving on many boards and functions for God’s Word in the church. Doris loved to go to flea markets and antique shops, collecting antiques with Dad for years. She had a list of “secret” recipes that grandkids and great grandkids begged her to fix from time to time. There was tator salad, broccoli salad, and that infamous homemade tomato relish.

Survivors include her two sons, Joe Thomas (Janet), Arenzville, IL, and Ed Thomas (Carolyn), Harwood, MO; four grandchildren, Tad Thomas, Leandra Redhair, Toby Thomas, and Jim Thomas; 11 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; as well as several nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband, Joe, she was preceded in death by her parents, and two sisters, Ruthie St. John and Clara Carlson.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, November 1, 2024 at the Church of the Nazarene in Nevada with Pastor Joe Thomas officiating. The family will receive friends from 1-2:00 p.m. prior to the service at the church. Interment will follow in Mt. Vernon Cemetery, Walker, MO.

Memorial contributions may be made in her name to the Church of the Nazarene c/o Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada.

Obituary - Joshua Joseph Brasher

Our beloved Joshua (Josh) Joseph Brasher tragically left us on Friday, October 25th, 2024 at the age of 39. Josh was born on October 4th, 1985 to Daniel Lowe and Terry (Brasher) Smith in Kansas City, MO. He grew up in the Nevada, MO area, living in Milo, MO and Bronaugh, MO as well. He attended school in both Nevada and Bronaugh, graduating from Bronaugh High School in 2004.

Josh worked different jobs over the years, with his most recent job of five years being the maintenance man at McDonald's in Nevada. He was a jack of all trades, including being a mechanic that could fix any car that was put in front of him. His hobbies included working on cars, collecting comic books, helping out many of his family and friends with anything they needed, working outside and spending time with his three boys. He was a very giving person and was always first in line to help anyone in need.

Josh was united in marriage to longtime girlfriend Caryl (CJ) Moore on January 13th, 2021 in an intimate ceremony in Nevada. He was a loving and devoted father to his three boys, Rilen Livengood, Brantley Stroud, and Brynner Stroud, all of Nevada.

Josh was preceded in death by his dad Richard C. Smith, mother-in-law Judy Moore, maternal grandmother Helen S. Brasher, both paternal grandparents, Tom and Pat Lowe of Willow Springs, MO, aunt Vicki S. (Brasher) Brown, uncles Rocky Smith, Ron Smith, and Rusty Smith, and his unborn child lost in 2019.

Josh is survived by his wife, three sons, mother, father, sisters, Kendra Brasher (Damien) of Blue Springs, MO and Kaisi Smith (James) of Pleasant Hill, MO, brother Jakob Smith (Destiny) of Lamar, MO, father-in-law, Carl Moore of Nevada, brother-in-law, Brad Moore of Nevada, sister-in-law, Katie Yockey of Nevada, uncles Jerry L. Brasher of Nevada, Randy Smith of Wichita, KS, Thomas Lowe Jr. of Dickinson, TX, aunts Valorie Nocciolo (Skip) of Waldorf, MD, Cynthia (Sophus) Collins of Willow Springs, MO, Glenda (Garret) Kueck of Concordia, MO, 16 nieces and nephews and several cousins.

A Celebration of Life will be held in Josh's honor on Sunday, November 10th at 2pm at the Elk's Lodge in Nevada, MO. Family invites all of those that had the privilege of knowing Josh throughout his life to attend. He will be remembered for his fun-loving and playful spirit that kept everyone laughing and having a good time. He will be missed tremendously.

 

Don’t forget to change your clocks this weekend

Byrd’s Pecan Delights receive national attention

 Earlier this month, a story titled From ‘Trees to Pies: The Inspiring Journey of Byrd’s Pecan Delights’ was published on the Women’s Journal website highlighting  Byrd’s Pecan delights of Adrian, Mo and the journey that began in 1964 when Jennifer Cassaday’s grandfather Vernon Byrd purchased the property just south of Virginia, Mo.

The article focuses on Jennifer’s journey “to transform her family’s farm into a celebrated restaurant and bakery which began as a tribute to her grandfather.” And she has done just that by offering a wide variety of baked goods,  homemade ice cream and unique pecan treats.

You can read the article at www.womensjournal.com and also find more information at www.byrdspecandelights.com