Steelville Star-Crawford Mirror, Steelville, Crawford Co. MO Local Obituaries for the Week of June 29, 2000 Linda Mae Eckert Linda Mae Eckert nee Tayloe was born Friday, June 7, 1946, at St. Louis, Mo., a daughter of Violet (Sullivan) Metts and the late Gene Tayloe. She entered eternal rest Friday, June 23, 2000, at the age of 54 years and 16 days. In addition to her father, she was preceded in death by her brother Danny Dawson. Among those who remain to mourn her passing are her husband Richard Eckert of Jerome, Mo., her mother Violet Metts and step-father Bud Metts, her children, Carolyn Ross and husband Brian of Rolla, Mo., Sandra Tidd and husband Glen of Newcomersville, Ohio, Richard Eckert, Jr. and wife Vicki of Leasburg, Mo., and Tom Eckert and wife Melanie, also of Leasburg, Mo. Four brothers, Rick Dawson and wife Pam of Henley, Mo., Billy Dawson and wife Vickie of Rolla, Mo., Robert Dawson and wife Dava of Phoenix, Arizona, and Buddy Metts and wife Melissa of Belton, Kentucky, two sisters, Edith Metts of St. James, and Shirley Mitchell and husband Pete also of St. James, 9 grandchildren, other relatives and many friends. Linda Mae Eckert lay in state 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m., Sunday, June 25, 2000, at the Britton Brothers Funeral Home, Steelville, Mo. Funeral services were held 11:00 a.m. Monday, June 26, 2000, in the Britton Chapel, with Rev. Robert Coleman officiating. Interment was in Schwieder Cemetery, Steelville, Mo. Serving as pallbearers were Dean Buchanon, Richard Courtway, David Fisher, Curtis Ross, Joseph Ross, and Rusty Tidd. Arrangements were under the direction of Britton Funeral Home, Steelville, Mo. Helen Louise Puckett Helen Louise Puckett was born Wednesday, September 22, 1915, at Steelville, Mo., a daughter of the late John and Susie (Zolder) Liptock. She entered eternal rest Friday, June 23, 2000, at the age of 84 years, 9 months and one day. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Kenneth Puckett, one daughter and son-in-law, Norma and Paul Clary, one brother, John Liptock, and five sisters, Margaret Cooper, Opal Parmenter, Rose Mullen, Gertrude O'Fallon, and Alma Walker. Among those who remain to mourn her passing are two sons, Richard Puckett and wife Myra of Cuba, Mo., Ray Puckett and wife Martha of Phoenix, Arizona, one daughter, Alice Blackburn and husband Donald of St. Louis, Mo., 11 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, many other relatives and friends. Helen loved to cook and made this her profession at the Steelville School for over 36 years, also cooking at many of the resorts in the Steelville area. She was referred to lovingly by many as "Granny," and enjoyed a special relationship with the student in Steelville. Helen Louise Puckett lay in state 4:00 - 8:00 p.m., Sunday, June 24, 2000, at the Britton Brothers Funeral Home, Steelville, Mo. Funeral services were held 2:00 p.m. Sunday, June 25, 2000, in the Britton Chapel. Helen was eulogized by John Taylor and Diane Cape. Scripture reading and committal prayers were offered by Rev. Robert Coleman. Musical selections were provided by Delores Bell. Interment was in Liberty Cemetery, Steelville, Mo. Serving as pallbearers were Donald Blackburn, Tommy Blackburn, Danny Cape, Kent Clary, Phillip Clary, and Steve VanderPluym. Arrangements were under the direction of Britton Funeral Home, Steelville, Mo. Anna Laura Ray Anna Laura Ray nee Brand was born on July 3, 1912, at Cuba, Mo., a daughter of Rev. John Franklin Brand and Mary Elizabeth Jones Brand, and passed away on June 21, 2000 at the Gibbs Care Center in Steelville, Mo. at the age of 87 years, 11 months and 18 days. On August 8, 1936 Anna Laura Brand was united in marriage to John Clyde Long in St. James, Mo. and to this union three sons were born. John Long died of a heart attack on February 1, 1963. On October 3, 1975 Anna married Ralph Ray in St. Louis, Mo. As a young woman Anna accepted Jesus as her personal saviour and was baptized into the First Baptist Church in St. James, Mo. For several years she has been a member of Center Point Baptist Church in Steelville, Mo. She worked for 32 years in the kitchen at the Jefferson Hotel in St. Louis, Mo. Later she worked in the kitchen at the Soldiers Home in St. James, Mo. for 8 years. Anna loved to cook, and friends of the boys loves to stay at their home just to have Anna's cooking. She also loved her children and grandchildren. Anna was preceded in death by her parents; husband John Long; one son Lloyd Long; two sisters, Rosella Mincher and Verna Farrar; and four brothers, Leslie Brand, David Brand, Tom Ludwick, and Norton Brand. Those who remain to mourn her passing are her dear husband Ralph Ray of Steelville; two sons, Richard Long and wife Nancy of St. Peters, and Raymond Long and wife Janey of St. Charles; one step-son, Bill Long of Troy, Illinois; one daughter-in-law, Holly Long of St. Charles. One sister, Elnora Nipper of Steelville, one brother, Jewell Brand and wife Reba of Steelville; 11 grandchildren; 4 step-grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends, all who will sadly miss and fondly remember Anna Ray. Visitation was held on Friday, June 23, 2000 from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at the Hutson Funeral Home in Steelville, Mo. Funeral services were held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, June 23, 2000 at Hutson Funeral Chapel in Steelville, Mo. with Rev. Delmar B. Hutson officiating. Paul Hutson sang When They Ring Those Golden Bells, Sweet Hour of Prayer, and Sweet By and By; accompanied by Dorothy Hutson on the piano. Pallbearers were her grandchildren, John Long, Sr., Jonathon Long, Jr., Lucus Long, Jason Long, Sterling Short, Jacob Rideout, and Matthew Burle. Burial was in the Oak Grove Cemetery near Cuba, Mo. All arrangements were under the direction of Hutson Funeral Home in Steelville, Mo. Lacy Alana West Lacy Alana West was born Monday, March 19, 1984 in Salem, Mo., a daughter of Kathy and Eric Bowen and Bob and Jackie West, and departed this life Monday, June 19, 2000 at the age of 16 years and 3 months, as the result of an automobile accident. Lacy was a student at Steelville High School, where she just completed her sophomore year. She was active in Agriculture classes and loved farming. Lacy had been a queen candidate for FFA. Lacy loved horses and horse back riding. She led trail rides at Huzzah Valley Resort where she worked. She also enjoyed riding 4-wheelers. Lacy liked to draw, sketch, and do oil painting. Lacy planned to go to cosmetology school after high school. Lacy is survived by her parents; one brother Jason West of the home; one step-sister Jodi Voss of Steelville, Mo.; her grandparents, Ann Hodge, Willard and Jackie West, and Mary West, all of Steelville, Mo., Harold and Margie Hodge of Leslie, Mo.; great-grandmother, Lucy Clinton of Steelville, Mo.; step-grandparents, Alice and Rick Johnson of Park Hills, Mo., Joe Bowen of Bunker, Mo., Joe and Marge Nahrstedt of St. Louis, Mo., and Lorna Nahrstedt of Texas; a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, and many friends, all who will sadly miss and fondly remember Lacy Alana West. Visitation was held on Wednesday, June 21, 2000 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Hutson Funeral Home in Steelville, Mo. and Thursday, June 22, 2000 from 9:00 - 10:45 a.m. at Rivers of Life Fellowship. Funeral services were held at the Rivers of Life Fellowship in Steelville, Mo. on June 22, 2000 at 11:00 a.m. with Spencer R. Hutson officiating. Pallbearers were Raymond Bowen, Colin Cottrell, Corey Cottrell, Lance Harmon, Justin Porter, Travis Sanders, Curtis Stringer, Jodi Voss, R. W. Welch, and Wyatt West. Memorials may be given to the Lacy West Scholarship Fund. Burial was in the Keysville Cemetery at Keysville, Mo. All arrangements were under the direction of Hutson Funeral Home in Steelville, Mo. --------- Reprinted with permission from the Obituary page of the Steelville Star-Crawford Mirror Web site. ==================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. 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