Dixie Hicks, 86, Joplin, Mo.

Dixie J. Hicks, lovingly known as “Mama”, “Grams”, and “Mimi”, 86 Joplin, Mo., died at 6:17 a.m. Thursday, August 21, 2025, at Mercy Hospital of Joplin, Mo.Born May 4, 1939, in Joplin, Mo. at her grandmother’s house, Dixie was the daughter of Perry Lee Taylor and Hazel Marie (Van Volkinburg) Taylor.

Bettie Pillar, 92, Columbus

Bettie L. (Dorsey) Pillar, 92, rural Columbus, died at 9:10 p.m. Wednesday, August 20, 2025.Born October 21, 1932 in Yale, Bettie graduated from Pittsburg High School. She was a lifetime resident of the Columbus area.

Linda Evans, 70, Columbus

Linda Kay Evans, 70, Columbus, died at 5:05 p.m. Thursday, August 21, 2025 at her home after an almost four year battle with cancer.Born September 29, 1954 in Columbus, Linda was the daughter of Marvin and Opal (Harwood) Correll.

Darrell Johnston, 58, Baxter Springs

Darrell Lee Johnston, 58, Baxter Springs, died Saturday, August 9, 2025, at Mercy Hospital in Joplin, Mo.Born August 1, 1967, in Lake Charles, Louisiana, Darrell was the son of John Richard Johnston and Erma Marcine (Eaton) Johnston.

Retta Neely, 90, Joplin, Mo.

Retta Fern Neely, 90, Joplin, Missouri, died Sunday, August 17, 2025 at her daughter’s home in Elkland, Missouri.Born December 20, 1934 in Weir, Fern was the daughter of Lloyd and Ruth (Ristau) Smith.Fern and Robert Neely were united in marriage February 20, 1954 in Columbus.

Ashley Smith, 36, Vinita, Okla.

Ashley Nicole Smith, 36, Vinita, Oklahoma, died Thursday, August 14, 2025, at the Saint Francis Hospital in Tulsa, Oklahoma, surrounded by her loving family.Born January 3, 1989, in Grove, Oklahoma, Ashley was the daughter of Carl Smith Jr. and Betty (Dykes) Smith-Owens.

Irene Hood, 95, Shell Knob, Mo.

Irene Carmack Hood (Fisher), 95, Shell Knob, Missouri, died Saturday, August 16, 2025, at Roaring River Health and Rehab in Cassville, Mo.Born March 19, 1930, in Baxter Springs, Irene was the daughter of George and Dora Carmack.

Paul Waggoner, 54, Joplin, Mo.

Paul Douglas Waggoner, 54, Joplin, Mo., died Sunday, August 17, 2025, at a local hospital.He was a miraculous mystery to his family. He was born December 9, 1970, in Joplin, Mo. and grew up in Carthage, Mo. He attended College View State School where he graduated with honors.

Zachary Rinehart, 36, Vinita, Okla.

Zachary Todd Rinehart, 36, Vinita Okla., died Monday, August 18, 2025, near Miami, Okla. on the Will Rogers Turnpike. Born December 22, 1988, in Miami, Oklahoma, Zac was a graduate of Chelsea High School.After graduating he went in the United States Army, serving his country for six years.

Larry Long, 87, Joplin, Mo.

Larry Don Long, 87, Joplin, Mo., died suddenly at Freeman Hospital in Joplin, Mo. Wednesday, August 13, 2025.Born February 11, 1938, in Loyal, Okla. (Kingfisher County), Larry was the son of Lew and Ruth (Maxwell) Long.