As of Wednesday, June 3, 2026
Cities without a state are in Missouri
Date birth – Date death
Martha Frances Comfort, known lovingly as Martha, passed away on May 30, 2026, in Webb City at the age of 80. She was born on May 8, 1946, in Joplin and lived a life marked by devotion to her family, her faith, and the many simple joys that brought her happiness each day.
Martha was a Christian woman whose life reflected the values of love, kindness, and steadfast care for others. Her family was the center of her world, and the love she gave to them remained one of the greatest gifts of her life.
She is survived by her four loving children, daughter Marsha Tarrant, of Chattanooga, Tenn., son Mike Parker and Shelley, of McKinney, Texas, daughter Robin Duke and Rob, of Webb City, and daughter Deanna Downey and Richard, of Galena, Kan.; her brother, Wilbur Lindley, Joplin; nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Martha was first united in marriage to her husband, Robert E. Parker, in 1963. He preceded her in passing in 1996. In 2012, she was united in marriage to Larry Comfort, who preceded her in passing in 2019. These relationships were important chapters in her life, and she carried the memories of those she loved with grace and strength throughout her years.
For almost twenty years, Martha worked at Labarge Technologies in Joplin, where she served as a line supervisor. She was a dedicated employee who took pride in her work and was respected for her steady leadership and dependable nature. Her years there reflected her strong work ethic and her ability to meet each day with responsibility and perseverance.
Outside of work, Martha enjoyed going shopping at any Dollar Tree that happened to be along the way to wherever she was headed. If she was not in the middle of what she liked to call retail therapy, she could often be found looking through Facebook or browsing her favorite sites on her phone. When her free time allowed, she also enjoyed traveling to area casinos, where she found entertainment and a little excitement to round out her day.
Funeral services will be at 6 p.m. Thursday, June 4, at Parker Mortuary. Visitation will begin at 5 p.m.
Jan. 27, 1943 – May 30, 2026
Phyllis Ann Jackson, loving wife, Mom, and Nana, age 83, passed away Saturday, May 30, 2026, with family by her side.
She was born Jan. 27, 1943, in Webb City, to Dr. P.B. and Regina (Macy) Munson.
Phyllis loved helping others and enjoyed her time as a lab tech and as an X-ray technician at the former Jane Chinn Hospital for 25 years and retired when the hospital closed in 1986. She was a 1961 graduate of Webb City High School and a proud member of the Golden Girls.
Phyllis always focused on her family. Her grandkids brought her great joy and she enjoyed spoiling them every chance she got. Some of their most cherished times together included baking cookies, sleepovers, and full-moon swim parties in the pool with Nana and Buddy. It was a full moon when she passed, which we took as a loving sign of her letting us know that all will be OK. Her love of the holiday season was contagious. She always orchestrated the very best Christmas day. She had a green thumb and her plants always looked amazing, and she loved her cats.
She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
She first met her true love, Sam Jackson, in second grade and married him on June 15,1964, in Carthage. He survives. Phyllis is also survived by three daughters, Suzanne Hull and husband Shawn, Joplin, Julie Chenault and husband Todd, Joplin, and Gina Jackson, Webb City; two grandchildren, Jakob Hull and wife Abby, Crystal, Minnesota, Kendall Chenault, Leawood, Kansas as well as numerous extended family and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Phillip Munson.
A memorial visitation will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Friday June 5, 2026, at Mason-Woodard Mortuary. Memorial contributions may be made to the Joplin Humane Society or Webb City R-7 Schools Foundation, in care of the mortuary.
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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.
