Area Obituaries

Janice Mae Pruett, 74, formerly of Salem, Missouri, entered eternal rest Sunday, February 2, 2025, in Sullivan, Missouri. Janice is survived by her loving son: Rick Chapman and wife Paula; sister: Vicky McDonald; grandchildren: Darrick Chapman and wife, Ashlee, Stephanie Meredith, Sarah Chapman, Shelby Chapman, and Dalton Chapman and wife, Makaila; thirteen great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter;…

Alvin Eugene Taylor, age 83, of Licking, Mo., passed away Friday, January 31, 2025. He was born November 30, 1941, in Licking, to Sherman “Roy” and Helen Taylor. He is preceded in death by his parents, Sherman and Helen Taylor; brothers, Lonnie and wife, Judy Taylor, Tom Taylor, David and Mary Ann Taylor, and Teddy…

  Mary Avis “Mavis” Holladay, age 88, of Dixon, was born on May 20, 1936, at St. Paul, Arkansas, a daughter of Barrett Elvin David and Avis Mae (Vermillion) Holladay, and passed from this life on Sunday, January 26, 2025, in the Phelps Health, Rolla. Mavis had accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as her personal…

Carol Sue Chilton passed away peacefully on January 28, 2025, at the age of 83. Carol was born to Orville and Nona (Ramsey) Roberts on June 29, 1941. She spent most of her life in Texas County. Carol graduated from Houston High School in 1959. She was working in a local restaurant when she caught…

Cindy Lou Harris of St. James, Missouri, passed away Tuesday, January 21, 2025, in St. James, Missouri. She was 59 years of age. Cindy, the daughter of Elbert “Shorty” Harris and Velma Ruth Bailey, was born September 17, 1965, in Rolla, Missouri. Cindy is survived by her son, Gregory Harris, of St. James, Missouri; her…

Evalee Clayton, age 92, daughter of James Thomas and Viola (Long) Smith, was born March 23, 1932. She passed away on January 25, 2025, at Hickory Manor Nursing Home in Licking, Missouri. She is preceded in death by her husband, Ray Dow Clayton; parents; one son, Thomas Ray Clayton; and two brothers, J.E. Smith and…

  Keith Dewayne Cantrell, son of Johnnie & Vivian (Lewis) Cantrell, was born August 22, 1952, and passed away January 21, 2025, in Springfield, Mo. Keith was united in marriage to Marilyn Jones on November 29, 1975. To this union was a ready-made family with Tonya and Bradley. Keith is preceded in death by his…

Irene Warner, age 99, of Licking, Mo., and prior long-time resident of Salem, Mo., passed peacefully into the next life on January 17, 2025, her family at her side at Texas County Memorial Hospital. Irene was born October 15, 1925, to Maude (Cooley) and John William Welch. Irene was one of nine children, and the…

Brenda Kay (Cook) Sullins, daughter of George Cook and Betty Heath, was born on October 13, 1946, in St. Louis, Missouri. She passed away on January 8, 2025, at the Kabul Nursing Home in Cabool, Missouri, at the age of 78. Brenda is preceded in death by her parents; mother and father-in-law, Lorene and Raymond…

  Russell Wayne Alers was born June 16, 1956, in Alton/Wood River, Ill. He died, with his close, step-nephew, Joe Anderson, of Columbia, vigilantly at his side, on January 13, 2025, at Cox South Hospital in Springfield; he was 68. Russ (aka “Swade”) moved to Licking with his family in 1961, when his dad was…