Helen Marie (McKinnon) Farris d. 19 August 1960

Apparent Suicide:
Mother of Six Is Found Dead

WAYNESVILLE (Special)- Reportedly disturbed mentally for several weeks, the mother of six children apparently shot herself fatally at her home near Waynesville yesterday.

The body of Mrs. Helen Marie Farris, 34, was found at 9:30 a.m. by Willis Kelly, Waynesville, as he stopped at the Farris house two miles northeast of here. Troopers said the woman evidently shot herself in the right temple with a .22 caliber rifle an hour and a half before her body was discovered.

Her husband, Archie, had left home for work at 7:15 a.m., authorities said. They added that efforts had been made to have Mrs. Farris receive psychiatric care.

Besides her husband, she is survived by four sons, Charles Denny, David Lee, Michael Wayne, and Gary Lynn, all of the home; two daughters, Barbara, of the home, and Mrs. Connie Marie Colley, Dixon.

Other survivors include her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Edgar McKinnon, Waynesville; a brother, Lawrence McKinnon, Waynesville; three sisters, Mrs. Georgia McRoy, Springfield, Mrs. Dorothy Pearson, Fort Wood, and Mrs. Louise Wilkerson, Pama, Fla.; her paternal grandfather, John McKinnon, Waynesville, and her maternal grandmother, Mrs. Rosie Phillips, Waynesville.

Although a time hasn't been set, funeral services will be at the Parkview Baptist Church at Waynesville with the Rev. Clarence Smith officiating. Burial will be in Duncan Cemetery under direction of Hedges of Waynesville.

The Springfield News-Leader
Springfield, Missouri
20 August 1960
Page 7

Nanna Pearl (Farris) Kelley 1895-1986

Nanna Pearl Kelley was born July 29, 1895 at Wildwood, Missouri, a daughter of George Washington Farris and Amanda Jane Rickerson Farris.  She departed this life May 26, 1986 at the age of 90 years, nine months, 27 days.

Pearl was united in marriage on November 9, 1918 to John Emmett Kelley and to this union 10 children were born.

She was preceded in death by her husband, John Emmett Kelley and four sons: Emery Lee, Willis Everol, Paul Woodrow, and Roy David.

Pearl gave her life to Christ many years ago, and united with the Body of Christ, being baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, unto which she  was faithful until her death.

Those left to mourn her passing include her sons: John of National City, California; Donnally of Largo, Florida; Clyde of Crocker, Missouri; Kenneth, Lloyd, and Junior of Waynesville, Missouri; her daughter, Bonnie Lammers of Lawton, Oklahoma; 44 grandchildren, numerous great and great-great grandchildren; many relatives and friends.

Mrs. Kelley had nine sons who served their country in the armed forces during the Second World War and the Korean Conflict.

Pearl will be sadly missed by all.

Visitation was held Wednesday, May 28, 1986 after 4:00 p.m. in the Waynesville Memorial Chapel.

Funeral services were held Thursday, May 29, at 2:00 p.m. in the Chapel with Rev. Willard Frazer officiating.

Music was provided by organist, Dorothy Moore.

Escorts were the grandsons.

Honorary escorts were the nephews.

Interment was held in the Newburg Cemetery at Newburg, Missouri under the direction of the Waynesville Memorial Chapel.

Vada Marie (McKinnon) Lane 1939-2006

Vada Marie Lane, daughter of the late Arthur and Vera (Farris) McKinnon, was born January 7, 1939 in St. Robert, Missouri.

She departed this life the evening of June 18, 2006 at St. John's Regional Health Center, Springfield, Missouri, at the age of 67 years, 5 months and 11 days.

Vada grew up and attended school in Pulaski County. She attended the Gospel Ridge Church in St. Robert, and also the Sweet Home Church in Crocker.

On June 30, 1954 in Waynesville, Vada was united in marriage with Robert Lane. Vada and Bob shared six children, Robert, Alvin, Brenda, Marilyn, Tina and Linda.

Over the years, Vada has painted houses for many people in the area. In her spare time, she enjoyed crocheting.

Vada will be sadly missed by her children: Robert Lee Lane, Alvin Lane, Brenda Mosier and Marilyn Babineaux all of St. Robert; two brothers: Leonard McKinnon of St. Robert and Delbert McKinnon of Crocker; one sister: Dana Jones of Lebanon; nine grandchildren; three great grandchildren; several nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

In addition to her parents, Vada was preceded in death by her husband, Bob in 1993; two daughters: Tina Marie Watts and Linda Lane and one grandson, Joshua Watts and one brother: Elmer McKinnon.

Graveside services were held at 11:00 A.M. Thursday, June 22, 2006 in the Waynesville Memorial Park Cemetery with Rev. Danny Graves officiating. Serving as escorts were Raymond Climer, Mike Fenelle, Alvin Lane, Dale Ray Lewis, Fred Mosier and Nolan Mosier. Serving as honorary escorts were Robert Lane and Leonard McKinnon. Services were under the direction of Memorial Chapel of Waynesville/St. Robert.

Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Vada Lane and may be left at Memorial Chapel of Waynesville/St. Robert.

Darvin William Kelley 1926-2006

Darvin William Kelley, 79, of Lebanon, formerly of Waynesville, died Friday, Sept. 29, 2006, at Christian Health Care North.

He was born Dec. 3, 1926, in Pulaski County, to William H. and Etta Mae (Farris) Kelley, who preceded him in death. He also was preceded in death by a brother, Frank Kelley; and three sisters, Lorraine Fugate, Mildred Wilson and Dorothy Laurent.

On Aug. 14, 1967, he married Dorothy Virginia Swartzlander in Lebanon, who preceded him in death on March 5, 2001.

He had worked as a contractor and also worked on heavy equipment.

Survivors include a brother and sister-in-law, Ron and Wilma Swartzlander, of Lebanon; three brothers-in-law, Leroy Wilson, of St. Robert; Clayton Swartzlander, of Orlando, Fla. and Gerald Swartzlander, of Youngstown, Ohio; a nephew and niece, Jim and Roseann Shrieves; an aunt and uncle, Ida and Dub Turnbow; also a number of nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives.

A graveside service for Darvin William Kelley was held at 1 p.m. Monday, Oct. 2, 2006, in the Waynesville Memorial Park Cemetery with the Rev. Wilbur Harbaugh officiating, under the direction of Memorial Chapel of Waynesville/St. Robert. 

Belle (Farris) Ousley 1907-2005

Belle Ousley, daughter of the late James Henry and Polly Ann (Lewis) Farris, was born February 16, 1907 in Dry Creek, Missouri where she grew up and attended school. As a young girl, Belle accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior and was baptized in the river near Dry Creek.

On November 4, 1922, Belle was united in marriage to Luther A. "Toad" Ousley. They shared over 50 years of marriage together and were blessed with three children: Alvie, Charles and Bonnie. Toad preceded Belle in death on August 30, 1973.

Belle and Toad owned the Ousley Garage for several years and Belle worked as the bookkeeper for the business. She spent the majority of her time doing the thing she enjoyed the most - taking care of her family. She enjoyed growing her own food in her garden and taking care of her flower gardens. She was an excellent cook and her family always looked forward to what she had for dinner. She was a very talented quilter and continued to quilt until the last couple of years when her health started failing.

Belle went home to be with her Lord at 9:40 P.M. Monday, February 21, 2005 in the St. John's Breech Medical Center of Lebanon at the age of 98 years and 5 days.

Belle will be sadly missed, but fondly remembered by her daughter: Bonnie Graham of Lebanon, Missouri; one sister: Ida Turnbow of St. Robert, Missouri; two brothers: Frank Farris of St. Robert, Missouri and Lester Farris of Laquey, Missouri; several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; a special friend Joyce Shepherd; several other relatives and friends.

In addition to her parents and husband, Belle was preceded in death by her two sons: Charles and Alvie; and five sisters: Mae, Vera, Florence, Hazel and Wilma.

Funeral services were held at 11:00 A.M. Friday, February 25, 2005 in the Waynesville Memorial Chapel with Rev. Richard Breeden officiating. Soloist Becky Lercher sang "Amazing Grace" and "Peace In The Valley". Serving as escorts were Ronnie Elkins, Billy Fenton, Pat Fincher, Austin Ousley, Chad Ousley and Chuck Ousley. Serving as honorary escorts were Levi Elkins, Dick Ousley and Kenneth Ruhl.

Burial followed in the Waynesville Memorial Park Cemetery. Services were under the direction of Waynesville Memorial Chapel.

Hazel Juretta (Farris) Rigsby 1927-1987

Hazel Juretta (Farris) Rigsby was born a daughter of James and Polly Ann (Lewis) Farris on March 27, 1927 in Waynesville, Missouri and passed away Monday, April 13, 1987 at the age of 60 years.

Hazel was a Christian and a member of the Gospel Ridge Baptist Church in rural Waynesville.

Hazel loved people and enjoyed being around them. She enjoyed the outdoors, and took pride in her gardening and flowers. Hazel also loved music and liked to travel. She will by sadly missed by her family and many friends.

Funeral services were held Wednesday April 15 at 2:00 pm in the Waynesville Memorial Chapel with Rev. Tom Perrin, and Rev. Ed Smith officiating. Music was provided by organist Dorothy Moore, and soloist Iva Mae Case. Escorts were the Nephews.

Burial was in the Gospel Ridge Cemetery in Saint Robert, Missouri under the direction of the Waynesville Memorial Chapel.

A memorial has been suggested by the family to the Gospel Ridge Cemetery.

She is survived by two brothers, Lester Farris of Richland, Missouri, and Frank Farris of Waynesville; four sisters Belle Ousley, Wilma Ruhl, and Ida Turnbow, all of Waynesville, and Vera McDowell of Crocker, Missouri, many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Hazel was proceeded in death by her father, mother, and two sisters.

Rosa (Farris) Williams (1884-1962)

Rosa Williams, daughter of Geo. Washington and Amanda Jane Farris, was born in Pulaski County in the Fort Wood area, November 24, 1884, and departed this life at Wallace Memorial Hospital in Lebanon August 20, 1962 at the age of 77 years.

She attended school at the Rolling Heath School in the Fort Wood area. About 44 years ago she was united in marriage to Arthur A. Williams and to this union was born one son, Claude, now of Tracy, California.

Mrs. Williams was preceded in death by her two brothers, her parents, and her husband who preceded her in death in October, 1960.

Many years ago Mrs. Williams was converted and united with the Christian Church.

She leaves to mourn her passing her son, Claude of Tracey, California, one sister, Mrs. Pearl Kelly of Newburg, Missouri, two grandchildren, and one great=grandchild, and several other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held Thursday, August 23 at 2:00 p.m. at the Parkview Baptist Church with Rev. Norman Sanders officiating. Burial was in Waynesville Memorial Cemetery under direction of Moss-Williams Funeral Home of Waynesville.

Mrs. Helen Marie (McKinnon) Farris 1926-1960

Mother Of Six Found Dead Friday

The body of Mrs. Helen Marie Farris, 34, was found at 9:30 a.m., Friday by Willis Kelly of Waynesville as he stopped at her home two miles northeast of here.

Troopers said the woman evidently shot herself in the right temple with a .22 caliber rifle an hour and a half before her body was discovered. She had reportedly been mentally disturbed for several weeks and efforts had been made to have her receive psychiatric care.

Authorities said that her husband, Archie, had left for work at 7:15 a.m.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by six children, Charles Denny, David Lee, Gary Lynn, Michael Wayne, and Barbara, all of the home; and Mrs. Connie Marie Colley of Dixon.

Other survivors include her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Edgar McKinnon of Waynesville; three sisters, Mrs. Georgia McRoy of Springfield; Mrs. Dorothy Pearson of Fort Leonard Wood; and Mrs. Louise Wilkerson of Pama, Florida; her paternal grandfather’ John McKinnon of Waynesville, and her maternal grandmother, Mrs. Rose Phillips of Waynesville.

Funeral services were held Monday under direction of Hedges Funeral Home.

(Handwritten Note: Born: 13 April 1926 Died: 19 Aug 1960 Near her this grave Daniel Lee 1947-1967)