As of Wednesday, March 11, 2026
Cities without a state are in Missouri
Dec. 24, 1971 – March 2, 2026
Rachel Dawn Choate-Hopkins, a beacon of warmth and love, passed away suddenly on March 2, 2026, in Joplin at the age of 54. Born on Dec. 24, 1971, in Carthage, Rachel’s life was a testament to the power of kindness and the strength of familial bonds. Her laughter and light will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
Rachel was a graduate of Webb City High School, class of 1990, and furthered her education at Vatterott College. Her passion for helping others led her to a fulfilling career as a nurse aide, where she touched the lives of many with her compassion and dedication. Rachel’s friendly and faith-filled nature made her a beloved figure in both her professional and personal circles.
Family was the cornerstone of Rachel’s life. She was a loving mother to her sons, Preston Choate and his wife Karly, of Summerville, S.C., and Bradley Choate. of Colorado; and to her daughter, Leilani Roderique and her adopted daughter Danielle Weber, of Gainesville, Mo. Her role as a grandmother was one she cherished deeply, and her numerous grandchildren brought her immeasurable joy.
Rachel was daughter to Ida Jo Hubbard-Fingar and Ricky Dane Choate, of Springfield. She is preceded in death by her mother and grandparents. She was a caring sister to Leslie Husemann and her husband Chris, of Carterville, and Ricki Choate, of Webb City. Her nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and many friends will never be able to forget her contagious laugh and beautiful spirit.
Rachel’s interests were as diverse as they were heartwarming. She found great pleasure in spending quality time with her family and friends and creating memories that will be cherished forever. She enjoyed spending quality time with her best friends, Jo Shutte and Kristen Cain, experimenting in the kitchen and crafting to her heart’s content. She had a passion for baseball, and loved blasting her music and speaking the word of the Lord regardless of the situation. Her presence was a source of comfort and joy, and her ability to connect with people on a deep level was truly remarkable. Her smile could light up a whole room and her warm hugs with a touch of red door perfume could make anyone’s day better. She will be loved forever and deeply by those who knew her.
A celebration of life will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 14, 2026, at Carterville Christian Church. Her family will receive friends starting at 10 a.m. up to service time. Arrangements are under the direction of Hedge-Lewis Funeral Home.
October 1932 – Jan. 19, 2026
Nancy H Spaeth joined her loved ones in heaven on Jan. 19, 2026; she was in Denver, Colo. at the impressive age of 93 (but didn’t look a day over 70).
Nancy was born in October of 1932 in Blytheville, Ark., as Estella Elizabeth Vickers. At age 4, she lost her father, her mother was hospitalized and she and her siblings were put up for adoption. At 6, she was adopted by George and Opal Hamilton of Blytheville, and they changed her name to Nancy.
Nancy studied classical piano from a young age, winning a scholarship at the age of 16, but by then she had met the love of her life, her dear George Spaeth. They were married in June of 1950. Shortly after their marriage began, George volunteered for the U.S. Army, and Nancy supported him through that and a banking career across several states. During all of this, they welcomed into the world their daughter Laura in 1958, son Larry in 1962, and daughter Linda in 1968.
She attributed her health and longevity to gardening in the sun and fresh air. She learned the art of China painting easily and sold some of her works in a Joplin gallery. She did not like having idle hands and indeed lent them to help many. A cancer survivor herself, she hand-sewed and donated thousands of chemo caps for cancer patients. She made tiny shirts and blankets for premature babies, which she donated to Ronald McDonald House, Saint Jude and other places in need. She worked as a volunteer at hospitals, library boards, schools, and the park board among other capacities in their longtime home of Webb City, since 1977.
She most cherished some 35 years volunteering at Madge T. James Kindergarten Center and Webster Primary Center. She helped the teachers with projects, taught about the squirrel she tamed and other wonders of nature, and nurtured youngsters with individual attention. Each Christmas she recited by memory “A Visit from Saint Nicholas” to the wonderment of teachers and students alike. She inspired kids by reporting hundreds of books she herself read annually “on purpose!” And she gave out hundreds of free hugs as “Grandma Nancy” to two generations of schoolkids. Not having any of her own, she happily boasted that each school year she had a new crop of 200 grandchildren!
In 2017 the town of Webb City and the State of Missouri honored her as the first female Distinguished Citizen of the Year for her 40 years of contributions benefiting the community and its residents. She was presented honors by the R-7 School District, Webb City Cares, and the Missouri House and Senate.
In 2023, heart issues urged her to move out to Colorado to live with her youngest daughter for caregiving. Nancy is survived by her son, Larry (Sherry) Spaeth, of Cape Coral, Fla., and her daughter, Linda (Greg) George, of Aurora, Colo. She was preceded in death by her husband, George, in 2009, and her daughter, Laura, in 2008, and a legion of family and friends who eagerly awaited and now celebrate her entrance to God’s Kingdom.
To honor Nancy’s wishes, there will be no funeral service. (Always the practical one, she said of this: “Well, I’m not going to be there!”) We invite you to privately celebrate her memory in your own ways, share memories of her with us on her memorial at After. And please to make an impactful donation to the Disabled American Veterans or St Jude Children’s Research Hospital (or both) in her name.
Thank you for remembering Mom. She is and will be greatly missed.
Aug. 15, 1933 – Feb. 27, 2026
Sarah M. Starkey, age 92, of Siloam Springs, Ark., passed away on Friday, Feb. 27, 2026.
Sarah was born on Aug. 15, 1933, in Siloam Springs, the daughter of the late Ernest Dodgen and Kathleen (Ward) Dodgen. On Aug. 19, 1955, she married Dr. Samuel J. Starkey Jr., who preceded her in death on May 10, 2011.
Sarah held a bachelor’s degree from John Brown University and a master’s degree from Pittsburg State University in education and devoted her life to teaching, a calling she embraced with dedication and care for her students. She retired from the Webb City R-7 School District after many years of service, leaving a lasting impact on those she taught and worked with. She was a proud member of Delta Kappa Gamma and remained actively involved in the P.E.O. Sisterhood for 65 years. A lifetime member of the Methodist Church, Sarah’s faith and community were important parts of her life. In her quieter moments, she found joy and peace in watercolor painting, a talent that reflected her thoughtful and creative spirit.
She is survived by her daughter, Jessica Lynn Foster and husband Rulon; her sons, Samuel J. Starkey III and wife Shari, and Barton W. Starkey and wife Stacy; her brother, the Rev. Dr. Lawrence Dodger and wife Ann; her sisters, Linda Wesley and Cleraone Dailey; eight grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
Sarah was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Samuel J. Starkey, Jr., and her sister, Pamela Rasmussen.
The funeral service was held March 6, 2026, at First Church Siloam Springs. Burial was in Oak Hill Cemetery in Siloam Springs. Arrangements were under the direction of Backstrom-Pyeatte Funeral Homes.
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Obituaries on this page are primarily found by looking for those with a connection to our immediate area on local funeral home and crematory websites. So we don’t miss one, please notify us by email at news@webbcity.net.
