Obituaries and Death Notice

Michelle “Shell” Lucas
Michelle “Shell” Lucas, 47, of Mexico, died at 7:10 p.m. Friday, July 10, 2009 at Boone Hospital Center in Columbia.
Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Friday at Arnold Funeral Home. Visitation is from 2 p.m. Friday until time of the service at the funeral home. Burial will be in Elmwood Cemetery.
Michelle was born Nov. 22, 1961 in Mexico, the daughter of James Hodge and Shirley Lucas.
Michelle was a member of Second Missionary Baptist Church in Mexico. She enjoyed cooking, and entertaining her friends and family.
Survivors include her mother, Shirley Williams, of Columbia; her daughter, Shaneice Lucas of Mexico; her son, Padre Lucas of Mexico; one grandchild, Sangjiha Lucas of Mexico; two brothers, Dennis Lucas of Seattle and Charles Williams of Columbia; three sisters, Dinessa Lucas of Mexico, Janice Lucas of Columbia and Teresa Lucas of Columbia.
In addition to her father, Michelle was preceded in death by her stepfather, Howard Williams.
Condolences at
www.arnoldfh.com

Benny Gardner
William Buford “Benny” Gardner, 80 of Mexico, died Sunday, July 12, 2009 at Audrain Medical Center.
Benny was born on July 24, 1928 in Mexico to Buford and Minnie (Hutchins) Gardner. He married Willa L. Austin on Jan. 11, 1969. Benny was employed by A.P. Green Refractories until his retirement in 1991.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday at Arnold Funeral Home, burial with full military honors will follow at Elmwood Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Saturday from noon until the time of service at the funeral home.
Benny is survived by his wife, Willa Gardner, of the home; daughters, Dinnetta Austin of Waukegan, Ill., Diana Isom of Columbia, and Charletta Dawson of Arlington, Texas; one granddaughter, Carmen Acosta and husband, Zelman, of Waukegan, Ill; three grandsons, Justin Isom, David Isom, and Brandon Isom; two great-granddaughters, Jazzmin and Azia Acosta; one sister, Liza May Braxton of Fulton.
He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Lark, Hubert, and Sherman Gardner; three sisters, Gertrude, Nicelle and Marie; two daughters, Demois Austin and Donna Burris.
Pallbearers will be Joseph Rummans, Terrance Gardner, Christopher Gardner, Johnny Braxton, Charles Braxton, and Rodney Henderson.
Honorary pallbearers will be John Gardner, Charles Johnson, James Black, Jeff Brown, and John Sudbrock.
Flower attendants will be Nat Forrest, Foncile Williams, Leta Gardner, Jeanetta Kemp, and Olivia George.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.
Online condolences may be left at www.arnoldfh.com

Betty Ruth Gaines Brooks
Betty Ruth Gaines Brooks, 79 of Mexico, died Monday, July 13, 2009.
Betty was born Nov. 15, 1929 in Mexico to Lester and Ora Kettle Gaines.
Private services will be held at a later date.
On May 16, 1957 she and Church B. Brooks were married. Mr. Brooks survives at the home.
Betty was involved in Genealogy for 50+ years. Having helped to rewrite and update the “Boone” family history, start the “Boone Reunion” of Montgomery County, Mo. in 1978, she found many missing links for others looking for their ancestors all over the world. She was the host of nine different county Web sites for others in search of information.
She was a member of The National Society Daughters of the American Colonists, National Society Sons & Daughters of the Pilgrims, The National Society Colonial Dames XVII Century.
She had in past years held several offices in the Missouri State Genealogy Society also. She was always willing and glad to help anyone find that missing link.
She will be sadly missed by her husband, Church; sisters, Vivian Byrd and Gayle (Bill) Mattox; several nieces and nephews, and all that knew her.
Betty was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Edward E. Shay III.

‘Junior’ Horton
Arlie E. “Junior” Horton Jr., 82, of Montebello Health Care Center in Hamilton, Ill., formerly of Vandalia,  died at 2:50 p.m. Friday, July 10, 2009 at Montebello HCC of natural causes.
A graveside committal service and inurnment ceremony will be held at 11  a.m. on Saturday in Salem Cemetery at Highway F and Salem Lane east of Center.