Betty L. (McKnolly) Stewart 1934-2009

Betty L. Stewart, of Dixon, was born on November 20, 1934, in Maries County, a daughter of Robert Roy and Louise Anna (Newberry) McKnolly, and departed this life at 12:45 P.M., on Friday, November 20, 2009, at her residence. Mrs. Stewart had been in failing health since February 2009 and had attained the age of 75 years.

Mrs. Stewart was united in marriage on February 18, 1953, at Maplewood to Norbert Thomas Stewart, and to this union five children were born. She was preceded in death by her father on February 23, 1985; her mother on August 31, 1997; and one son, Thomas Norbert Stewart on October 1, 1996.

Mrs. Stewart accepted Jesus Christ as her Personal Lord and Saviour and followed her Lord in baptism early in life while attending the Santee Community Church near Dixon. She was a housewife and homemaker throughout her working life and was always diligent in providing for the needs of her family.

Those left to mourn the passing of Mrs. Stewart include: her husband, Tom Stewart, of the home near Dixon; two sons, Robert Stewart and wife Kim, Arnold; and James “Runt” Stewart, Dixon; two daughters and sons-in-laws, Jenny and Tony Becker, St. Louis; Debbie and Steven Klahs, Arnold; eleven grandchildren, Charly, Tami, Tara, Tiffany, Stephani, J.J., Deborah, Robert A., Christopher, Mandy, and Robert; ten great-grandchildren, Devon, Conner, Emily, Asia, James, Alesha, Robert, Isabella, J.R., and Kirsten; and many other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were conducted for Mrs. Stewart at 11:00 A.M., November 25, 2009 in the Dixon Chapel of the Birmingham-Martin Funeral Homes with Rev. David Vanzant, Sheppard Baptist Church, Dixon, officiating.  Three special musical selections “Precious Memories”, “He Stopped Loving Her Today” and “It’s a Wonderful Life”, were played for the funeral service.

Interment was in the West Fairview Cemetery under the direction of the Dixon Chapel of the Birmingham-Martin Funeral Homes. Pallbearers for Mrs. Stewart were Bob Stewart, Runt Stewart, J.J. Stewart, Tony Becker, Rob Stewart, and Christopher Becker. Honorary Pallbearers were Charly McCoy and Donnie Wylde.

Memorials are suggested to the West Fairview Cemetery Perpetual Care Fund or the American Cancer Society with envelopes available at the Dixon Office of the Birmingham-Martin Funeral Homes.

Mary Ona Dake 1894-1982

Mary Ona Dake of Dixon, was born on April 4, 1894 in Maries County, a daughter of William Calvin and Margaret Hollis McKnolly, and departed this life at 2:24 a.m., on Sunday morning, July 25, 1982, at the Pulaski County Memorial Hospital, Waynesville. Mrs. Dake had been in failing health for the past four years and had attained the age of 88 years, 3 months, and 21 days.

She was united in marriage on December 28, 1913, at Dixon, to Marion Willard Dake, and to this union eight children were born.

She helped her husband on the farm and was a homemaker for most of her working life. She was a member of the Burnett Christian Church near Dixon and was baptized at an early age.

Funeral services were conducted at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday afternoon, July 27, 1982 at the Birmingham-Martin Funeral Home, Dixon, with the Rev. Earl Jones, Burnett Christian Church near Dixon, officiating.

Interment was in the Fairview Cemetery near Dixon under the direction of the Birmingham-Martin Funeral Home, Dixon.

Active pallbearers were Tommy Nichols, Dean Lawson, Thomas Cross, Bill Howser, Wayne Reese, and Dale Dake.

Honorary pallbearers were Carl Lawson, Mike Nichols, Douglas Dake, and Ralph Reese.

She is survived by four sons, Wayne Dake, James Dake, Leslie Dake and Willie Dake, all of Dixon; four daughters, Mrs. Addie Lawson, Mrs. Katie Howser, Mrs. Charlcie Howser, and Mrs. Rozene Nichols all of Dixon; seventeen grandchildren; twenty two great grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband on January 17, 1968; her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Calvin McKnolly; five sisters, Mrs. Elizabeth Hartzell, Mrs. Mittie Jones, Mrs. Katie Dake, and two infant sisters; three sons-in-law, Floyd Lawson, Richard Howser, and Lonnie Nichols; and two grandsons, Jimmie Howser and Bobby Dake.