Lennis C. Hedspeth

Lennis Carroll Hedspeth, age 102, of Ironton, Mo. formerly of rural Williamsville, Mo. died Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2008 at the Baptist Home in Ironton.

Mr. Hedspeth was born Jan. 26, 1906 in Williamsville. He was a member and deacon of Black River Baptist Church where he served as Sunday School Teacher and church treasurer. Mr. Hedspeth attended Black River School. A retired farmer, he and his wife were owners of the first recognized Century Farm (100 years of continuous family ownership) in Butler County. Mr. Hedspeth served as a member of the Butler County Democratic Committee, Black River School Board, Butler County Farm Bureau, and was a Red Cross Volunteer. He enjoyed hunting and fishing and woodworking.

On March 27, 1935 he married Easter Dunnegan in Bloomfield, Mo. She preceded him in death on Dec. 2, 2000.

Survivors include four sons and their wives, Linuel and Kathleen Hedspeth of Williamsville, William and Betty Hedspeth of Medina, Tenn., Charles and Doris Hedspeth of Puxico, Mo., and David and Mary Hedspeth of Van Buren; eight grandchildren, Holly Schroer, Carol Diggs, Delisa Sitze, Tracy Robison, Curtis Hedspeth, Cecile Hedspeth, Cameron Hedspeth, and Brian Johnson; twelve great-grandchildren; a sister, Neva Blackwell of Poplar Bluff; and several nieces and nephews.

Mr. Hedspeth was preceded in death by his parents, Carroll and Isabelle Irby Hedspeth.

Visitation will be from 6 - 8 p.m. Friday at Cotrell Funeral Chapel in Poplar Bluff. The funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday in the Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Gerald Collier officiating. Burial will be at the Black River Cemetery in Williamsville.

The family suggest memorials be made to The Baptist Home, P.O. Box 87, Ironton, Mo. 63650.