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

Mrs. Rosa B. (Helms) Phillips d. December 20, 1962

WAYNESVILLE- Services will be at 2 p.m. Sunday in Parkview Baptist Church for Mrs. Rosa B.

Phillips, 82, who died at her home near here Thursday after a short illness. The Rev. Clarence

Smith will officiate, and burial will be in Dunkard Cemetery.

Survivors are five daughters, Mrs. Goldie McKinnon, Mrs. Carrie Burgess, Mrs. Leva Dye and
Mrs. Nettie Smith, all of Waynesville, and Mrs. Velma Williams, Lansing, Mich.: two sons, Ben
Wade of Waynesville and Jim Wade, Hardin, Ill., three brothers, George Helms of Crocker,

Mose Helms, Pleasant Hill, Ill., and Elijah Helms of Dixon: 42 grandchildren,

40 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.

Springfield Leader and Press

Springfield, Missouri

21 December 1962

Page 18

Rachel (Stoner) Stump (1841-1906)

LOCAL BRIEFS

Mrs. Solomon Stump, an old and highly respected lady living a few miles east of town, died last Saturday of pneumonia, and was buried Sunday at Gospel Ridge burying ground. 

The Pulaski County Democrat
Waynesville, Missouri
2 February, 1906
Page 5
Transcribed by Laura (Abernathy) Huffman

Lloyd Richard Wade 1931-1986

Lloyd Richard Wade was bron October 21, 1931 in Waynesville, Missouri the son of James W. and Ora E. (McKinnon) Wade.

Lloyd was saved in 1972.  He loved reading God’s Word.

Lloyd loved nature, and also enjoyed hunting and fishing.  He enjoyed visiting with the elderly---he always said you could learn a lot from listening and talking to them.

Lloyd grew up in Waynesville, but moved to Illinois in 1967.

Lloyd was preceded in death by his father, James W. Wade in 1972, and two sisters, Marie Ellen Bick in 1973, and Rosalie McConnough in 1985.

Lloyd leaves to mourn his passing his three children: Richard, Jessie, and Rita Wade, which all live in Everett, Washington; his mother, Ora E. Wade, Waynesville; two brothers: James E. Wade, Fairbanks, Alaska, and Robert L. Wade of Waynesville; three sisters: Margie Bishop, San Diego, California; Shirley Clark, Lebanon, Missouri; and Sharon Gollback, Redford, Michigan.

Funeral services were held Saturday, October 18 at 1:30 p.m. in the Waynesville Memorial Chapel with Rev. Lee Schaffer officiating.

Music was provided by Mary Lou Long.

21 October, 1931 - 15 October, 1986

Gordon Charles Fisher 1966-1986

Gordon Charles Fisher of rural Dixon, Missouri was born a son of Charles H. and Elli (Lerach) Fisher on January 30, 1966 in Haltern, West Germany.  He passed away Saturday, September 20, 1986 at the University of Missouri Hospitals and Clinics in Columbia, Missouri at the age of 20 years, seven months, and 21 days.

Gordon was a graduate of the class of 1984 at the Waynesville High School.  He loved the outdoors and loved riding his motorcycle.

Gordon will be sadly missed by his loved ones, and all of his friends.

He is survived by his parents, Charles H. and Elli (Lerach) Fisher of rural Dixon; one sister, Stephanie Fisher with the United States Navy at Great Lakes, Illinois; paternal grandparents, Howard and Janet Fisher of Syracuse, New York.

Funeral services were held Wednesday, September 24 at 3:00 p.m. in the Waynesville Memorial Chapel with Father Jack Pender officiating.

Music was provided by organist Dorothy Moore.

Escorts were: Roy Burgess, Buford Clark, Don Clark, Dwight Hensley, Marvin Long, and Don Scott.

Interment was in the Dunkard Cemetery at St. Robert, Missouri, under the direction of the Waynesville Memorial Chapel.

William Edgar McKinnon 1903-1985

William Edgar McKinnon was born a son to John Andrew and Charlotte Agnes (Henson) McKinnon on January 5, 1903 in Dixon, Missouri and he departed this life on Monday morning, July 15, 1985 at the University Medical Center in Columbia, Missouri, having attained the age of 82 years, 6 months, and 12 days.

He was converted in a Pentecostal Church in 1947, and was baptized May 2, 1971 and united with the First Baptist Church at St. Robert, Missouri.

Edgar united in marriage to Goldie (Wade) McKinnon April 9, 1925, and to this union six children were born. They shared 60 years and four months of love and devotion together.

He lived in Pulaski County area all of his life within a few miles of where he was born.

Edgar worked in the timber and drove a truck, also worked in the lumber yard for 22 years before he retired in 1965.

He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend, and he will be sadly missed by all his family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one infant son, Cecil Edward McKinnon, and one daughter, Helen Marie Farris.

Edgar McKinnon is survived by his loving wife, Goldie of the home; one son, William Lawrence McKinnon of Springfield, Missouri; three daughters, Dorothy May Pearson of Waynesville, Missouri; Georgia McElroy of Kansas City, Missouri; and Sandra Louise Knapp of Rolla, Missouri; two brothers, Howard and Delmar McKinnon, both of Waynesville, Missouri; four sisters, Celie Helms of the state of California; Ora Wade and Flossie Ashlock, both of Waynesville, Missouri; and Eula Stowell of Granby, Missouri; 20 grandchildren, 31 great grandchildren, and two great great grandchildren.

Funeral services were held Thursday morning, July 18, 1985 at 10:30 a.m. in the Waynesville Memorial Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Mel Watson officiating.

Music was provided by Janell Walters, soloist, and Marjorie Link, organist.

Serving as escorts were Danny McElroy, Mark McElroy, Ricky McElroy, Lenny Pearson, Don Scott, and Steve Wilkinson.

Interment followed in the Dunkard Cemetery under the direction of the Waynesville Memorial Funeral Chapel.

Gospel Ridge Union Cemetery (Dunkard Cemetery)

Gospel Ridge Union Cemetery is also known as Dunkard Cemetery.

Dunkard Cemetery (Gospel Ridge Union Cemetery)

Click picture for a more detailed view of Dunkard Cemetery's location in Pulaski County, Missouri.

Dunkard Cemetery, near St. Robert, MO Photo by Pulaski County Obits, Fall 2009

Dunkard Cemetery, also known as Gospel Ridge Union Cemetery, is located in Pulaski County, MO., near St. Robert, Missouri. St. Robert Outer Road, east to Harlan Lane (Formerly Gospel Ridge Road), the cemetery is on the left hand side of the road. According to Tombstone Inscriptions of Pulaski County, this cemetery is in very bad condition, considering it’s location.

Dunkards were members of a religious sect. The name Dunkards, or Dunkers, is of German origin, tunken, “to dip”, because of their baptismal ceremony. During this ceremony the believer is dipped three times, face forward, once at the mention of each name of the Trinity, according to the baptismal formula in Matthew 28:19. At one time this ridge was so populated by Dunkards that the area became known as Gospel Ridge. The Dunkards either died out, or moved away, but their memory lives on in the names Dunkard Cemetery and Gospel Ridge.

Photo by Pulaski County Obits, September 2009

One of the earliest dated stones belongs to Mary A. Gillett, 2 year old daughter of G.E and R.E., who died in 1890. Dorothy Greer, who was murdered by Shorty Higgins, at Crocker Cave, in 1980, is buried in Dunkard Cemetery.

Photo by Pulaski County Obits, September 2009

Latitude: 37.8330961
Longitude: -92.1334986
Township 35-Range 11-Section 21

Julia Emilie Laughlin 1885-1960

Julia Emilie Laughlin was born August 21, 1885 at Moab, Missouri and departed this life at the local hospital February 5, 1960 at the age of 74 years, 5 months, and 14 days.

In 1904 she was married to Charles Bland Laughlin and to this union two children were born. Those surviving are a son Harold H. and daughter, Mrs. Perry carter, both of Waynesville; two brothers, Floyd Thompson of Muskogen, Michigan, and James Thompson of St. Louis, four grandchildren, two great grandchildren and a number of other relatives.

A number of years ago she was converted and united with the Free Will Baptist Church near Moab.

Funeral services were held Sunday, February 7, at 2:00 p.m. at the Gospel Ridge Church with Rev. Henry Prewett officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery under direction of Hedges Funeral Home.

Pallbearers were L.D. Griffith, Elber Carter, Leland Wagner, Henry Shackelford, Eugene Thompson, and Elmer Rigsby.

Bernie Robert Fuller 1928-1950

Bernie Robert Fuller, 22, Is Killed In Wreck of Two Trucks Near Macon

Macon, Missouri, Dec.11-Bernie Robert Fuller, 22, of Waynesville, died last night of injuries suffered in a traffic accident at Callao overpass on U.S. Highway 36, seven miles west of here.

The accident, involving two trailer transport trucks, occurred Saturday night and tied up traffic for several hours.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol said a westbound trailer driven by Vernon P. Rice of Maryville, Missouri hit a banister of the overpass. The impact, the patrol said, caused his trailer to strike the cab of the eastbound transport driven by Fuller.

Rice escaped injury.

Bernie Robert Fuller, son of Ben and Edna Fuller of Waynesville, Missouri was accidentally killed in a truck accident near Macon, Missouri last Saturday night. He suffered a concussion of the brain, a broken back and leg injuries and passed away later Sunday evening. At the time of his death he was 22 years, 3 months and 19 days of age. He is survived by his mother and father, Mr. and Mrs. Ben Fuller of Waynesville, Missouri, two sisters, Opal Shelton of Waynesville, Fern of the home, two brothers, Norman and Melvin of Waynesville and his grandmother, Mrs. Minnie Schultz of Waynesville, Missouri. Also many other relatives and friends. Pall-bearers were Dale Fuller, Howard Fuller, Charles Randolph Junior, Snick Wallace, Pat Wallace, and Ben Wagoner.

Funeral services were held Tuesday, December 12, 1950 at 2 p.m. at the Waynesville Baptist church, Rev. Charles Roach officiating. Interment was made in the Duncan (Old Gospel Ridge) cemetery. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of the Hedges Funeral Service of Waynesville, Missouri.

View Death Certificate

Lou Edna (Case) Fuller 1898-1982

Lou Edna (Case) Fuller of Waynesville, Missouri, was born on November 12, 1898 near Crocker, Missouri, the daughter of Allen and Minnie (Hutsell) Case, and departed this life on November 17, 1982 at the Phelps County Regional Medical Center at Rolla, Missouri. She had attained the age of 84 years and 5 days.

She was united in marriage to Ben Fuller in the year 1916 and unto this union 5 children were born.

Mrs. Fuller is a long time member of the Hickory Hills Baptist Church and has lived her entire life in the Pulaski County Area.

Funeral services were conducted on Saturday, November 20, 1982 at the Hickory Hills Baptist Church at 2 p.m. with Richard Breeden and Bill Tallant officiating.

Burial was in Dunkard Cemetery under the direction of the Long Moss Wulliams Funeral Home of Waynesville, Missouri.

Pallbearers were: Grandsons.

She is survived by 1 son: Melvin Fuller, of Waynesville, Missouri; 2 daughters Opal Sheldon of Waynesville, Missouri, Ferne Garrett of St. Peters, Missouri; 3 brothers: Ernest Case, Tulsa, Oklahoma, Ivan Case, Waynesville, Missouri, Charley Case, Coulterville, Illinois; 1 sister: Ora Flake, Craig, Missouri; 11 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, 2 sons: Norman and Bernie; and 3 brothers: Emmett, Euell, and Raymond.

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)

John Tice Ray 1885-1932

Tice Ray Succumbs to Tuberculosis, After Lingering Illness

May 11 1885- August 11, 1932

Tice Ray, age 45 years, passed away at his home on Gospel Ridge, Thursday, August 11, after an illness of 15 months.

He was born on Bear Ridge, Pulaski County, Missouri, the son of Mr. and Mrs. John Ray, deceased, and spent all of his life in this County.

When about 16 years of age he united with the Free Will Baptist Church.

He was united in marriage about 26 years ago, to Maude Hensley of the Antioch community, and to this union 7 children were born, 2 dying in infancy; and those surviving, besides the wife, are Mrs. Floyd Burrow, Jesse, Snowden, John, and Buddy.

He also leaves one brother, Mert Ray, two half-brothers, Everett and Milford, two half-sisters, Mrs. Bryan Lane and Mrs. J.E. Dodds, and other relatives and friends to mourn his decease.

Funeral services were conducted Friday afternoon, at 5 o'clock, from the Gospel Ridge school house, east of here, by Rev. Chas. Roach, under the direction of J.L. Hoops and Sons, funeral directors, with Frank Christeson of this place in charge.

Interment was made in the Gospel Ridge cemetery.

View Death Certificate