As of Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023
Cities without a state are in Missouri
June 12, 1956–Oct. 17, 2023
Richard “Brillo” Dean Legg, Winter Park, Fla., formerly of Carterville and Carl Junction, passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 17.
He was born on June 12, 1956, to Ralph Leonard Legg and Daisy Charlene Vandergrift in Webb City. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Lee Elgin, of Carterville; and a sister, Katy Wilks, of Sylvester, Ga.
Richard married Rebecca Oakes on Aug. 26, 1977. He is survived by his wife; two sons, Richard Legg Jr., Winter Park, and Robert Legg, Chelmsford, Mass.; three grandsons, Owen Legg, Miles Legg and Samuel Legg, of Chelmsford; and a granddaughter, Sylia Ayala-Legg, Winter Park. Richard is survived by his sisters, Mary Lou Huffman, Joplin; Nancy Potter, Kansas City; Debbie Cable, Carterville; and Candy Smothers, Peculiar; and a brother Lenny Legg, Peculiar.
Richard began his successful career in the food and beverage industry as an employee of Casa Montez in Joplin for seven years. He then worked for Junge Bakery’s Bunny Bread Plant in Joplin from 1974 until 1982. After graduating from the American Baking Institute of Kansas State University in 1983, he worked as production manager for Wonder Bread in Richmond, Va.; Rainbow Bread in St. Louis; and Southern Bakeries in Birmingham, Ala. and Lakeland, Fla. He returned to his beloved Jasper County in 2003 to work for MAPP and COTT manufacturing before retiring in 2016.
He graduated from Webb City High school in 1974 and attended Missouri Southern State University in 1974 and 1975. In 1983, he graduated from The American Institute of Baking at Kansas State University.
He was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather. His life was filled with his family, friends, fishing, motorcycles, food, boats, and woodworking. He made friends easily with his outgoing personality. He loved taking care of his family and friends with his excellent cooking and vast handyman knowledge.
Services are planned for spring 2024 in Carterville. The family would like to thank the doctors and staff of Freeman Hospital Joplin and Advent Hospital and Advent Hospice Center in Orlando, Fla.
Aug. 25, 1942 – Oct. 15, 2023
Dennis Clayton Smith, age 81, of Webb City, passed away on Sunday, Oct. 15, in Texarkana, Texas. He was born in Webb City on Aug. 25, 1942, to Carl and Martella Smith.
Mr. Smith spent his working days as a heating and cooling business owner and building inspector for Webb City. In his free time, he enjoyed spending time with his family and going to flea markets and antique shops. His most important love was his granddaughter, Zoe Potter. He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church. His family described him as loving, kind, always eager to help anyone, a devoted husband who went out of his way to pamper and take care of his loving wife. He was a wonderful and loving son, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend.
Denny was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Martella Smith; son Greg Smith; and brother-in-law John Spencer.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Linda Smith; sister, Cathy Spencer; son and daughter-in-law, Carl and Char Smith; daughter, Rebecca McDonald; daughter and son-in-law, Kristi and David Blomeyer; son and daughter-in-law, Troy and Christi Potter; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and a number of other relatives and friends.
There will be no service at this time. Arrangements are under the direction of Texarkana Funeral Home.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.
