Betty Biggs Jeffress, 91, a resident of Poplar Bluff since 1947, died Thursday, May 17, 2012, at Westwood Hills Healthcare Center in Poplar Bluff. Mrs. Jeffress was born Feb. 2, 1921 in Dexter, Mo. She was a graduate of San Diego High School, and attended Southeast Missouri State College. Mrs. Jeffress was of the Presbyterian faith. She was a former Girl Scout Leader, and was a member of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority as well as P.E.O. Chapter DG...

Lena W. Powell, 89, of Poplar Bluff died Monday, May 14, 2012 at The Cedargate in Poplar Bluff. Mrs. Powell was born Nov. 29, 1922 in St. Louis, Mo. She was a member of The First Baptist Church in Poplar Bluff, and was a homemaker. Mrs. Powell enjoyed flower gardening, cooking and doing needlepoint. On Feb. 9, 1946, she married Virgil Woodrow Powell. He preceded her in death on Nov. 25, 2009. Survivors include a niece and caregiver,...

Peggy Bea Yarbro, 84, of Poplar Bluff died Monday, May 14, 2012, at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. Mrs. Yarbro was born Feb. 28, 1928 in Poplar Bluff and grew up in the Big Island Community of Butler County. She was of the Protestant faith, and was a homemaker. While her children were growing up, Mrs. Yarbro was active in the P.T.A. and the 4-H Club. She enjoyed raising her family and strived to make her home everyone's home: cooking...

Lavon Martins, 82, of Bonne Terre, Mo., formerly of Butler County died Sunday, May 13, 2012 at the residence of her son in Foristell, Mo. Mrs. Martins was born Feb. 19, 1930 in the Lone Hill Community of Butler County. She was of the Baptist faith, and was a homemaker. Mrs. Martins enjoyed spending time with her family, rose gardening and animals. On Sept. 18, 1948, she married Carl John Martins in Poplar Bluff. He survives. Other...

Geneva Ruth Osborn, 76, of Poplar Bluff died Sunday, May 13, 2012 at The Cedargate in Poplar Bluff. Mrs. Osborn was born Jan. 14, 1936 in Butler County, Mo., and was a graduate of Poplar Bluff High School class of 1953. She was a homemaker, and owner of Osborn Paint Co. in Poplar Bluff. Mrs. Osborn enjoyed spending time with her family, painting pictures, collecting porcelain dolls and working in her yard. On May 28, 1954, she married...

Mary Ann Powell, 51, of Poplar Bluff died Sunday, May 13, 2012 at St. Louis University Hospital in St. Louis, Mo. Mrs. Powell was born Aug. 3, 1960 in Paw Paw, Mich. She was of the Baptist faith, and was a homemaker. Mrs. Powell previously worked at The Cedargate Care Center in Poplar Bluff as Dietary Manager. She enjoyed spending time with her family, and collecting Wizard of Oz memorabilia. On July 27, 1981, she married Leslie Powell...

John Thomas Hammon Jr., 83, of Poplar Bluff died Saturday, May 12, 2012 at his residence. Mr. Hammon was born July 7, 1928 in Zelma, Mo. He was a member of New Home General Baptist Church, and had retired as a mechanic on 18-wheel trucks. Mr. Hammon was a veteran of the U.S. Army having served in the Korean Conflict. He enjoyed spending time with his family, playing pool, hunting and fishing. On Feb. 6, 1954, he married Barbara Jean...

Edward Nathaniel Cheeks, 90, of Poplar Bluff died Thursday, May 10, 2012, at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff. Mr. Cheeks was born Sept. 3, 1921 in Poplar Bluff. He was a member of Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church, and had previously worked as a charter bus driver and later as a carpenter. Mr. Cheeks was a veteran of the U.S. Army, where he worked as a draftsman. He enjoyed auto mechanic work, and as an avid...

Michael Green Stracener, 64, of Broseley, Mo. died Thursday, May 10, 2012 at Landmark Hospital in Cape Girardeau, Mo. Mr. Stracener was born Dec. 2, 1948 in Bragg City, Mo. He was of the Pentecostal faith, and was disabled. Mr. Stracener enjoyed fishing, watching eagles and collecting eagle memorabilia. On Aug. 10, 1969, he married Patricia Johnson in Kennett, Mo. She survives. Other survivors include 7 children, Keith Stracener of...

Evelyn Laura Nichols, 84, of Poplar Bluff died Tuesday, May 8, 2012 at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Mrs. Nichols was born Oct. 1, 1927 in La Crosse, Wisc. She was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Poplar Bluff, and had retired from the housekeeping department at St. Anthony's Hospital in Rockford, Ill. Mrs. Nichols enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, fishing, playing bingo and staying on the go. On July...