Mrs. R.A. Bell d. 20 March 1960

Mrs. Della Bell, 76, Waynesville, wife of Pulaski County Probate Judge R.A. Bell, died Sunday in Waynesville General Hospital after an illness of several years.

Other survivors are three daughters, Mrs. Virginia Woody, Richland, Mrs. Gladys Talbot, Lebanon, and Mrs. Jewell Krauss, Russville, Ill.; two sons, Pershing and Roland, both of St. Louis; a sister, Mrs. Sylvia O'Quinn, 715 East Page; a brother, Frank Adams, Kansas City; and 10 grandchildren.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday in the Waynesville Methodist Church. Burial will be in Mitchell Cemetery with Hedges of Waynesville in charge.

Springfield Leader and Press
21 March 1960, Mon

Transcribed by Laura (Abernathy) Huffman

W.S. Adams d. December 11, 1902

Death of W.S. Adams

W.S. Adams was born in Clark county, Ky., October 10, 1826; died in Pulaski county, Mo., December 11, 1902, aged 76 years, 2 months, and 1 day. He came with his parents from Kentucky to Clay county, Mo., in 1832, and removed to Pulaski county about the year 1867, where he lived until his death. He was married to Miss Martha Phillips in Ray county, Mo., December 24, 1851, to them were born six children, all of whom are still living, the children present at his death were, Thomas, Margie, Mrs. Stacy Harrison and Mrs. Mollie Miller, two of them living at Baxter Springs, Kan., were not present Rufus and Mrs. Nancy Miller. He has 19 grand children living.

Uncle Spencer was loved and respected by friends and neighbors and he will be missed in the community where he lived so long. He professed religion about 17 years ago but he never united with any church. He respected and loved all church going people. he gave up all for Jesus, was willing to die and requested that his children meet him in Heaven. He was a good man in his home, loved his family as he loved himself, and his place will be hard to fill in the community. His widow has the sympathy, love, and respect of everyone who is acquainted with her.

We have known Mr. Adams for about twenty years and in all that time he was ever the same kind hearted man and friend to us.

G.W. HENSON

Pulaski County Democrat

Gladys Opal (Bell) Talbot 1909-2011

Gladys Talbot, 102, of Lebanon, died Sunday, May 22, 2011, in Lebanon.

She was born May 3, 1909 to Robert A. and Della Adams Bell at Brownfield, Missouri.

On February 9, 1930, Gladys was united in marriage with Charles W. Talbot and they enjoyed sixty-three happy years together. He preceded her in death in 1993.

Also preceding her in death were her parents; two brothers, Rowland and Pershing Bell; three sisters, Jewell Krauss, Florene Bell and Virginia Woody; a son-in-law, Edward Tichacek; and a daughter, Charla Talbot Bennett.

Gladys graduated from Southwest Missouri State University and taught school six years at Waynesville High School and nineteen years at Lebanon Jr. High School.

She joined the Methodist Church at an early age and was active in youth work many years. She was a member of the Builders Class and Morning Joy Circle.

Her hobby was making quilts and she was an avid Cardinal baseball fan. Gladys also enjoyed her bridge clubs and fishing with her husband.

Survivors include her daughter, Gayla Tichacek; three grandsons, Brandt Tichacek and his wife Adria, Eddie Tichacek and his wife Jennifer, all of St. Louis, MO and Baron Bennett and his wife Leanne of Indianapolis; also surviving is a son-in-law, Thomas Bennett of Bowling Green, OH; two granddaughters, Mikelyn Kiefer and her husband Gregory and Brooke Bennett; nine great-grandchildren; and three step-great-grandchildren.

Gladys was a wonderful mother, loving grandmother, and cherished friend. Those who had the pleasure of knowing her will treasure every memory. Our loss was Heaven's gain.

Funeral services for Gladys Talbot will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 25, 2011, at Shadel's Colonial Chapel with Pastor David Scott officiating.

A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. at the Waynesville City Cemetery, under the direction of Shadel's Colonial Chapel of Lebanon.

Friends may call at their convenience at the funeral chapel.

A memorial has been established to St. John's Hospice.

Gladys (Bell) Talbot 1909-2011

Gladys Talbot, 102, of Lebanon, died Sunday, May 22, 2011, in Lebanon.

She was born May 3, 1909 to Robert A. and Della Adams Bell at Brownfield, Missouri.

On February 9, 1930, Gladys was united in marriage with Charles W. Talbot and they enjoyed sixty-three happy years together. He preceded her in death in 1993.

Also preceding her in death were her parents; two brothers, Rowland and Pershing Bell; three sisters, Jewell Krauss, Florene Bell and Virginia Woody; a son-in-law, Edward Tichacek; and a daughter, Charla Talbot Bennett.

Gladys graduated from Southwest Missouri State University and taught school six years at Waynesville High School and nineteen years at Lebanon Jr. High School.

She joined the Methodist Church at an early age and was active in youth work many years. She was a member of the Builders Class and Morning Joy Circle.

Her hobby was making quilts and she was an avid Cardinal baseball fan. Gladys also enjoyed her bridge clubs and fishing with her husband.

Survivors include her daughter, Gayla Tichacek; three grandsons, Brandt Tichacek and his wife Adria, Eddie Tichacek and his wife Jennifer, all of St. Louis, MO and Baron Bennett and his wife Leanne of Indianapolis; also surviving is a son-in-law, Thomas Bennett of Bowling Green, OH; two granddaughters, Mikelyn Kiefer and her husband Gregory and Brooke Bennett; nine great-grandchildren; and three step-great-grandchildren.

Gladys was a wonderful mother, loving grandmother, and cherished friend. Those who had the pleasure of knowing her will treasure every memory. Our loss was Heaven's gain.

Funeral services for Gladys Talbot will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 25, 2011, at Shadel's Colonial Chapel with Pastor David Scott officiating.

A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. at the Waynesville City Cemetery, under the direction of Shadel's Colonial Chapel of Lebanon.

Friends may call at their convenience at the funeral chapel.

A memorial has been established to St. John's Hospice.

Audrey B. (Adkins) Adams 1921-2006

Audrey B. Adams was born April 30, 1921 near Norcatur, Kansas. She was the daughter of the late Dawson and Minnie (Ankenman) Adkins.

Audrey went home to be with her Lord the evening of May 25, 2006 in the Hendrick Medical Center, Abilene, Texas, at the age of 85 years and 24 days.

When Audrey was a young girl, her family moved to Nebraska where she graduated from the Wilsonville High School in 1939. She worked in her family's restaurant from age 11 until her graduation.

Audrey was united in marriage with Joseph Adams, and together they shared one daughter, Carolyn, and one son, Larry. Joe preceded Audrey in death on February 27, 1990.

From 1943 to 1948, Audrey worked as a bookkeeper at the Hinze Hardware Store in Culbertson, Nebraska. She and Joe later moved to the Crocker, Missouri area where she began volunteering at the Fort Leonard Wood Hospital. Her efforts were recognized by receiving the Volunteer of the Month and of the Quarter at General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital. She also served as a Red Cross Volunteer for 22 years. Audrey loved it when the young soldiers called her "Grandma".

In 1932, Audrey was baptized in the Christian Church in Wilsonville, Nebraska. Upon moving to Crocker, she moved her membership to the Presbyterian Church. She was very active in her church, serving as a Sunday school teacher, an Elder, Junior Choir Director and sang in the choir.

Audrey was also very active in the Crocker Senior Citizen's Center (past president), the American Legion Auxiliary, VFW Auxiliary, DAV, Crocker Chamber of Commerce, and the Royal Neighbor Lodge in Iberia, to name a few. Audrey enjoyed adding to her vast teddy bear collection of over 300 bears.

She will be sadly missed by one daughter: Carolyn Julius and her husband, Dale of Gainesville, MO; one son: Rev. Larry Adams and his wife, Dorothy of Clyde, Texas; five grandchildren: Eddie Joe, Pamala, Michael, Melinda and Kristina; several great and great-great grandchildren along with other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held at 1:00 P.M. Tuesday, May 30, 2006 in the Crocker Presbyterian Church of Crocker, MO with Pastor Steve Bomely officiating. Pianist Betty Layman accompanied the congregation as they sang "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" and "Amazing Grace". Soloist Randy Hoffman sang "It Is Well With My Soul". Serving as escorts were family and friends.

Burial followed in the Crocker Memorial Park Cemetery. Services were under the direction of Memorial Chapel of Waynesville/St. Robert.

Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Audrey Adams to the Juvenile Diabetes Association and may be left at Memorial Chapel of Waynesville/St. Robert.

BERTHA CROSS, 1895-1990

Bertha Cross, 84, of Iberia, died on Tuesday, April 17, 1990, at the Phelps County Regional Medical Center in Rolla.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, April 20, 1990, in the Brays Advent Christian Church. Visitation will be from 6 until 8 p.m. today at the Stevinson-Mossman Funeral Home in Iberia.

Mrs. Cross was born on Oct. 15, 1895, at Iberia, the daughter of George and Mary Adams Mace. She married Otto Cross on March 25, 1917. He died Dec. 25, 1970.

Mrs. Cross was a member of the Brays Advent Christian Church near Iberia, where she was a Sunday School teacher and pianist for more than 30 years. She also taught in rural schools in Miller County many years ago.

She is survived by one daughter, Lois Dean Miller of Waynesville; one brother, Frank Mace of Waynesville; four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Willie Adams 1898-1985

Willie Adams was born October 10, 1898 in Danville, Virginia and departed this life February 8, 1985 at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri at the age of 86 years, 3 months, and 30 days.

Willie went to work for the railroad and later joined the army. He spent 30 years in the service during World War I and World War II, as a cook. He later found his home in Richland and was united in marriage to Alzena Wall on August 10, 1943.

He is preceded in death by one sister, Susie, and one brother, Charles.

Willie professed his faith in Jesus Christ as a young man, and attended the Church of Christ as long as his health would permit.

He is survived by his wife, Alzena of the home, and many other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held from the Colonial Funeral Chapel at 10:30 Monday, February 11, 1985 with Clyde Lamkins, Minister officiating.

Burial was in the Lebanon Cemetery under the direction of the Colonial Funeral Chapels.

Escorts were Military.

Dwight Rench 1885-1959

Funeral Services Held Sunday For Dwight Rench, Prominent Devils Elbow Business Leader

Dwight Rench, 74 years old, resident of Devil’s Elbow, and who for the past number of months had been in failing health, passed away at the Phelps County Hospital in Rolla last Friday. Mr. Rench had been an engineer of the State Health Department for ten years, but had resigned recently due to ill health.

Possibly a few men in Pulaski County had as many close, personal friends as did Dwight Rench, who through his courteous and kindly manner made friends wherever he went. He was born in Christian County, Illinois, August 30, 1885. On December 23, 1904, he was united in marriage to Bertha Higgins of Edinburg, Illinois, and to this union three children were born, Myron Rench of Competition, Harry Rench of Devil’s Elbow, and Mrs. Paul Landers of near Dixon. Three grandsons, Larry and Bruce Alle Rench, and Terry Landers, and one granddaughter, Beverly Ann Rench Strub, one brother and six sisters, two daughters-in-law, Jessie Rench and Pearl Rench, and one son-in-law, Paul Landers, also survive.

Mr. and Mrs. Rench moved to Devil’s Elbow in 1927 and established a fishing lodge on the Big Piney River.

Dwight was a public spirited man and gave much of his time to public improvements in his community, count, and state, he has been a member of the board of directors of the Laclede Electric Coop since it was founded…
death, having been elected every three years and attended his last meeting at Lebanon only a few days before his death. He was a member of the Waynesville Lodge No. 375 AF & AM, Houston Lodge, Order of Eastern Star, and the Rebekah IOOF Lodge at Crocker. He was an elected member of the Pulaski County Health Center since its organization and was always a faithful member of his lodges and other organizations.

At the time of his death he was a member of the Sheppard Baptist Church near Dixon, he was converted in 1904 and joined the Baptist Church at Edinburg, Illinois and lived a consecrated Christian all his adult life.

Funeral services for Mr. Rench were held Sunday afternoon at the Gilbert Funeral Chapel in Dixon with Rev. Gomer Wright officiating. Members of the Waynesville Lodge attended in a body and Masonic rites were given. Interment was in the Hooker Cemetery under direction of Gilbert Funeral Home of Dixon.

(Handwritten Note: Born 30 Aug, 1885 Died 27 Nov, 1959)

Hazel Lane (Lane) Adams 1906-1932

Mrs. Frank L. Adams, Formerly of This Place, Dies in St. Louis Hospital

Hazel Lane Adams passed away at 12:20 p.m. Thursday, February 25 at St. John’s hospital in St. Louis, Missouri at the age of 25 years, 11 months and 17 days.

She entered into rest, peaceably and sweetly, with hands reaching Heavenward, and a smile upon her lips.

She was born in Waynesville, Missouri, graduated from the Waynesville high schools in 1923, and taught the grades in the Waynesville school for two terms-1924-25, and taught in the Dixon schools for three terms, 1926-27-28.

She was converted at the age of 13, and united with the Waynesville Baptist church, where she was a faithful and consecrated member, serving as pianist for several years, or until her marriage, being a talented musician.

She was united in marriage to Frank L. Adams, of Iberia, November 10, 1930, making their home for a while with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Adams, who loved her as their own daughter.

They established their own little home in Iberia about two years ago, which she loved and took so much joy in.

On February 6, she cheerfully went down “through the valley and shadow of death” sacrificing her life, that another life might be brought into the world, the little one that she had planned for so much, quietly sleeping in its newly made grave.

She leaves to mourn her passing, a devoted husband, father mother, two sisters, one brother, and her husband’s parents, who loved her as their own daughter, and many other relatives and friends, making the latter wherever she was known.

Hazel was a beautiful woman, with a sweet personality and a smile for everyone.

Short funeral services were conducted at her old home, Friday afternoon, as the body was being conveyed to Iberia, conducted by Rev. H.C. Green and Rev. I.M. Cook, and Miss Grace Manchester sang one of her favorite songs, “Crossing The Bar”…

…she loved us, and in closing the final chapter of her earthly life, which is only the beginning of the fullness of Life Eternal for the christian, which we feel assured that she was, in the truest, fullest sense, the following poem, by Tennyson illustrates what she would want to say:

“Sunset and evening star,
And one clear call for me!
And may there be no moaning on
The bar,
When I put out to sea.
But such a tide as moving seems
Asleep,
Too full for sound or foam
When that which drew from out the boundless deep
Turns again home.

Twilight and evening bell,
And after that the dark!
And may there be no sadness of farewell,
When I embark;
For tho' from out our bourne of Time and Place
The flood may bear me far,
I hope to see my Pilot face to face
When I have crost the bar.”

The great crowd estimated from 1,000 to 1,800 people who attended the last rites at Iberia Saturday afternoon, attested to the love and esteem in which she was held.

Funeral services were conducted from Iberia Baptist Church, Prof. G. Byron Smith, of the Iberia Junior College, giving the address, assisted by Rev. H.C. Green and Rev. I.M. Cook of this place, and at the close the Waynesville Chapter of the Order of eastern Star, of which she was a member, closed the service with their beautiful and impressive service, with the Iberia Chapter present.

Innterment was made in the Iberia cemetery, under the direction of the following funeral directors: Clarence Casey of Iberia, J.L. Hoops and Sons of Crocker, and F.H. Gilbert of Dixon.

Sorrow is the inevitable lot of us all; sooner or later it comes, and only one’s attitude toward sorrow determines the effect that it has on the lives of us all, for without sorrow, …

…life is a preparation after Death for the Great Adventure, which comes to the Christian, or those who have trusted in the Savior for So Great Salvation, where Hazel is, and every thing is complete for those who love Him.

We do not mourn for her as those who have no hope, but we know that we shall see her and worship with her again around the “Great White Throne” of God.

View Death Certificate

John Emmett Kelley 1889-1958

John Emmett Kelley, son of the late Francis and Martha Kelley, was born August 26, 1889, and passed from this life November 11, 1958 at his home in Waynesville following a lingering illness, being at that time 69 years, 2 months, and 16 days.

He was united in marriage to Nana Pearl Francis, November 9, 1918. To this union ten children were born. They are John of San Diego, California, Clyde of Newburg, Donnally of Washington D.C.; Kenneth, Willis, Lloyd, David and Junior, of Waynesville, and Paul, with the U.S. Navy, stationed at Naples, Italy, a daughter Mrs. Louis Lammers of Berlin, Germany.

He is also survived by 28 grandchildren, and two step grandchildren, a sister, Mrs. Harris McKinnon of Pleasant Hill, Illinois, a half brother, William Kelley of Waynesville, three half sisters, Mrs. Monroe Foster, and Mrs. Walter Helms of Waynesville, and Mrs. Charley Andrews of Dixon. Also a host of other relatives and friends.

…and joined the Baptist Church.

Burial was in Newburg cemetery. Rev. Willard Frazier was officiating minister at the funeral. Pallbearers were Donald, Barney, and Herbert McKinnon, frank Kelley, Clarence Lewis, and Frank Farris. Arrangements were by Lee Johnson Funeral Home.

View Death Certificate

Della Frances (Simmons) Adams 1929-2009

Della Frances Adams was born on April 7, 1929, in Monroe, Arkansas, a daughter of Houston Davis and Naomi Frances (Poe) Simmons, and departed this life at 7:00 P.M., Wednesday, July 29, 2009, in the Muskogee Regional Medical Center, Muskogee, Oklahoma. She had attained the age of 80 years, 3 months and 22 days.

Mrs. Adams was united in marriage on July 3, 1965, in East Alton, Illinois to Ephriam Thomas “Tom” Adams. She was preceded in death by her husband on July 19, 2001; her parents; one son, Sr. Staff Sgt Roger Neil Fox on August 16, 1996; one brother, James M. Simmons and two sisters, Lucille Roswell and Fern Seale.

Mrs. Adams had worked as a seamstress machine operator, retiring in 1989,before moving to Crocker in 1990. She had served 11 years with the American Lupus Society holding the positions of Board of Directors, Zone Director and Fund Raiser for Lupus research. She had written four books, “A Collection Of Poems”, “Remembering The Good Old Days”, “Waltonesque Stories Of Growing Up During The Depression” and “Grandma Maggie”, with proceeds being donated to the Atlanta Chapter of the Lupus Foundation of America. She enjoyed quilting and donated her quilts to raffle for the Lupus Foundation.

Those left to mourn the passing of Mrs. Adams include: two sons, Tony Fox, Little Rock, Arkansas and Scott Fox, Brighton, Illinois; one daughter, Sharon Nichols, Stigler, Oklahoma; one brother, Houston D. Simmons, Alexander, Arkansas; eight grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; and many other relatives and friends.

Funeral Services were conducted for Mrs. Adams at 1:00 P.M., Tuesday, August 4, 2009, in the Long Funeral Home, Crocker. “Angel” and “Down The River” were played for the funeral service.

Interment was in the Bethlehem Cemetery, Swedeborg, under the direction of the Long Funeral Home, Crocker.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Atlanta Chapter of the Lupus Foundation of America with envelopes available at the Long Funeral Home, Crocker.