Obituary - Pam Simmons

Funeral services for Pamela (Pam) Walker Simmons of Magnolia, Arkansas formerly of Butler, Missouri will be 11 a.m. Saturday, January 25, 2025 at the Butler First Christian Church. Visitation will be 5 -7 p.m. Friday, January 24, 2025 at the Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel in Butler. Burial in Oak Hill Cemetery. Contributions to the Alzheimer’s Association or Cove Creek Christian Church. In memory of Pam’s love of color, feel free to wear something bright to the funeral or visitation. Online condolences www.schowengerdtchapel.com.

Pamela Annette (Walker) Simmons died on January 19, 2025, at age 78 after a brief illness. Pam was a devout Christian who lived her faith as a parent, sister, and wife, as a teacher and mentor, and as a friend. Born in Coffeyville, Kansas, she lived most of her life in Missouri, more than 50 of her years in Butler after marrying Giffin Field Simmons II in 1964. Pam was a jack-of-all-trades at heart, and her job titles over her lifetime included home economics teacher, DHS caseworker, restaurant owner, florist, guidance counselor, and Sunday School teacher.

She and Giffin had one child, a daughter, Shannin Malinda in 1969. Their life together revolved around the churches they both served, their small family, and their hometown friends and colleagues. They traveled as often as they could—visiting 49 of the 50 states, as well as Mexico and Canada—and owned more than 65 vehicles over their 52 years of marriage. But as much as she loved to travel, Pam loved coming home even more. Even after moving to Arkansas to be near her daughter, Pam generally signed all posts and emails “formerly of Butler, MO.”

Pam was preceded in death by her husband Giffin, by her father Clinton Augustus Walker and mother Beulah Annabelle (Carter) Walker, and by her oldest brother, Ronnie Walker. She is survived by her daughter, Shannin Schroeder (Tim) of Magnolia, Arkansas; two granddaughters, Bailey Schroeder (Summer) of Queens, New York, and Emma Schroeder of Magnolia, Arkansas; her brother Carter Walker (Donna); nieces and nephews Randy Walker (Sherry), Rhonda Walker (Kathy), Stephanie Naifeh (George), and Samantha Harshman (Jeremy); and many great-nieces and nephews, cousins, and aunts and uncles.

Butler Rotary Student of the Month

 

Congratulations to Butler Rotary Student of the Month Jessie Irick, daughter of Mike and Cassie Irick. Jessie was selected on several points of criteria including academics as well as her undying school spirit. Good job!

Giving Fore Living announces upcoming events

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Harrisonville schools announce new Director of Communications

The Harrisonville Schools Board of Education is excited to announce the hiring of Jayden (Osborn) Love as the Director of Communications beginning July 1, 2025.

Mrs. Love is a graduate of Harrisonville High School and Southwest Baptist University where she graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor’s in Public Relations.

Mrs. Love currently works for the Springfield Chamber of Commerce as the Content and Marketing Coordinator. She also worked as the Visit and Event Coordinator and a Resident Assistant for Southwest Baptist University. She completed an internship with the Center for Human Services as a marketing technician during college and was a Harrisonville High School communications intern during her senior year.

Mrs. Love is married to Parker and they will be relocating to the area.

In February, she will begin working in the district with current Director of Communications Jill Filer who is retiring at the end of the school year. -Courtesy Harrisonville Schools

Blood drive at Miami R-1 a success

A blood drive was held at the Miami R-1 school yesterday and officials are proud to report that their goal of 30 units was reached which means more lives will be saved during this time of extreme need.

A special thanks goes to Miami FCCLA for sponsoring the event and it is likely another drive will happen this Fall.

Arm courtesy of Jaime Reitz 😀

Basketball scores

 

From action last night

Boys:

Hume 33
Drexel 68

Odessa 39
Harrisonville 85

Girls:

Hume 40
Drexel 30

Odessa 47
Harrisonville 59

Sheldon 32
Pierce City 62

Obituary - Vera Jewell Cooper

Vera Jewell Cooper, 92, passed away January 16, 2025, Thursday morning at Ash Grove Health Care Facility in Ash Grove, MO.

She was born September 17, 1932, in Dunnegan, MO to Byrd and Velma (Pennington) Wine. On December 14, 1948, she married Alvin Cooper, where they lived and worked on their farm in Flemington, MO. She was a wife and homemaker first and worked several different jobs to supplement their farming income.

She and Alvin were married for 48 yrs before he passed in August 1996. They had 3 children, Vicki, Monty and Jerry.

Vera and Alvin enjoyed farm life and had many friends who played bluegrass as they did and attended many bluegrass parties and events at friend’s homes. Vera accompanied Alvin on the guitar while he played fiddle, banjo and mandolin. They often sang at both the Church of the Nazarene and Church of Hope in Centerview, MO.

They moved to California in 1963 where Vera’s family lived but returned to Warrensburg, MO in 1966, where Alvin worked for CMSU.

She is survived by her children: Vicki (Rocky) Dickerson, Monty (Rhonda) Cooper and Jerry (Sue) Cooper; 5 grandchildren, James (Melanie) Milburn of Springfield, MO, Tammy (Mike) Morris of Nixa, MO, Aaron Cooper of Bolivar, MO, Monica (Daniel) Brooks of Rich Hill, MO and Nicole (Jeremy) Herring of LaCygne, KS; 12 great-grandchildren, Brittany and Jessica of Arizona, Byron and Gretchen Brooks of Rich Hill, MO, Rachel and Gabe Milburn of Springfield, MO, Aiden and Maddie Morris of Nixa, MO, Cooper and Nate Herring of LaCygne, KS and Waylon and Zoe Cooper of Bolivar, MO.

Vera was additionally blessed with 3 great-great-grandchildren; Annabelle, Norah and Maddox of Arizona.
All of Vera’s siblings preceded her in death. She lived a full and rich life and loved Jesus Christ, her Savior.

Funeral services for Vera will be held at 1:00 PM on Friday, January 24, 2025 at Butler Funeral Home in Bolivar. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Flemington Cemetery.

Memorial contributions can be made to CMH Hospice, Flemington Cemetery or to the Rich Hill Memorial Library.


To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Vera Jewell Cooper please visit our Sympathy Store.

From the city of Adrian

As of 2:40 PM this afternoon, there is no phone service at the Adrian City Hall. Work is being done to correct the problem as soon as possible.

More information will be posted as soon as it is available.