Tommie Lou Rebstock

A southeast Missouri philosopher once said that the signature of a lady is one that makes all she meets feel comfortable and accepted. That would definitely describe Tommie Lou Rebstock, who passed into the arms of our Lord on Thursday, October 6th at 11:45 p.m. at her home in Poplar Bluff, Missouri at the age of 77, due to complications from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

A lifelong Baptist, Tommie lived a life of service and commitment to her family, friends and business associates. Born September 17, 1939 in Bragg City, Missouri, Tommie spent her childhood years in Deering, Missouri. It was there that she met the love of her life and steadfast companion for 61 years, Terry Clifton Rebstock at the Midcity Baptist Church in Deering. They were married in Osceola, Arkansas on April 4, 1955. They were blessed with four children. Sharon Kay, who died in a tragic accident at the age of 10 and her surviving three children, Kirby Clifton Rebstock and his wife, Tona of Poplar Bluff. Sandra Phyllis Rebstock Taetz and her husband Michael Taetz Senior of Chesterfield and Kimberly Christine Rebstock Parker and her husband Trent, of Broseley. She had five grandchildren, Nikki Rebstock Heuiser and her husband Andrew, of Poplar Bluff, Kane Parker of Broseley and Sarah, Claire and Michael Junior Taetz of Chesterfield. She had two step grandchildren, Matthew Taetz of St. Louis and Kirsten Taetz of Topeka, Kansas. She is also survived by her brothers, Fred Tabor of Aubrey, Texas and Bobby Ray Tabor of Hayti, Missouri.

Preceding her in death is her father, Tommy Tabor and mother, Sarah Jane Cook Tabor.

Tommie was a woman of many talents and at the time of her retirement she served as contributions supervisor for Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations. She was a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks and served as the secretary of the Poplar Bluff lodge. She was officer of the year in 2001, 2002 and 2003 and was passionate about the Elk’s Academic Scholarship Fund, and served on the committee for the Fund for many years. She was granted an honorary academic degree from World Leaders of Professionals in Workforce Systems and was given the President’s Award in 1991 from that organization and received the Outstanding Member Award in 1999.

Visitation will begin at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, October 9th at Cotrell Funeral Chapel in Poplar Bluff with services to follow at 2:00 p.m. The Rev. Jim Schremp will officiate. Burial will be at Memorial Gardens Cemetery. She was well loved by many.

Memorial donations may be made to Elks Scholarship Fund, c/o Cotrell Funeral Service, 701 Vine St., Poplar Bluff, MO 63901.