Jo Leonard

Sept. 8, 1935 – April 3, 2022

Mrs. Beverly Jo Leonard, 86, of Joplin, formerly a longtime resident of Webb City, departed this life on Sunday, April 3, 2022, at Westgate of Wildwood Ranch in Joplin.

Jo entered this life on Sept. 8, 1935, in Picher, Okla., one of two daughters born to the late Floyd and Lucymae (Dugan) Steele. She was raised in Joplin and was a 1953 graduate of Joplin High School. She furthered her education by attending Joplin Junior College.

On October 15, 1955, in Fayetteville, Ark., Jo was united in marriage to Henry “Cleve” Leonard, and to this union two sons were born. Besides being a homemaker, Jo worked several years at the former Broadway Market in Webb City. She enjoyed gardening, fishing and photography. She was not only the matriarch of the family, but was the glue that held all things together. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, mother-in-law and friend. Jo was a member of the Emmanuel Baptist Church in Webb City.

Jo was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Cleve Leonard on Jan. 23, 2015; a son, Carey Leonard; a grandson, Michael Leonard; and a sister, Betty Johnson.

Jo is survived by one son, Scott Leonard and wife, Jeanne, Oronogo; a daughter-in-law, Carol Leonard, Seneca; three grandchildren, Zach Leonard and wife Tabatha, Chelsey Parise, and Julia Marshall and husband Matt; eight grandchildren, Laken Leonard, Ava Leonard, Ryder Parise, Marcie Marshall, Matthew Marshall, Adriana Leonard, Michael Jr Leonard and Serenity Leonard; and other family and friends.

Graveside services were held Wednesday, April 6, in Mt. Hope Cemetery, with Pastor Mark Turner officiating. Arrangements were under the direction of the Hedge-Lewis-Goodwin Funeral Home.

Dixie Meredith

Sept. 11, 1937 – April 5, 2022

A funeral service for Dixie (Harmon) Meredith, of Webb City, will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 16, at Central United Methodist Church.

Arrangements are under the direction of Mason-Woodard Mortuary.

Mary Sampson

Aug. 5, 1954 – March 30, 2022

Mary B. Sampson, age 67, of Joplin, passed away on Wednesday, March 30, at Freeman West with family at her side.

Mary was born Aug. 5, 1954, in Northampton, England, daughter of the late Eugene Tune and Margaret (Burke) Tune. She graduated from Parkwood High School in 1971 and moved where her and her husband Ron’s careers took them. They lived in Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, and Georgia before moving back to Joplin. She has worked in many industries throughout her adult life, but her favorite jobs were the time she spent at Carl Junction Schools and most recently her time spent at Joplin Workshops, Inc.

Mary was a very loving person and was devoted to her husband Ron, her children, and their grandchildren. She was always ready to lend a hand to those in need, and she had a special place in her heart for her pets. She will be greatly missed by many.

In addition to her parents, Mary was preceded in death by her husband of 42 years, and best friend, Ron Sampson, who passed away on Feb. 19, 2021.

Survivors include her children, Tracy Tune (Melissa Wheatley), Carl Junction, Heather Sampson (Tabitha Jordan), Carl Junction, Dustin Sampson (Ila), Trenton, Ill., and Eric Tune (Sandy Hall), Duenweg; and grandchildren, Blake Tune, Keylee Davis, Canyon Kimbrough, and Liam Sampson.

A private family graveside service will be held at a later date in Webb City Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Joplin Workshops Inc. Arrangements were under the direction of Parker Mortuary.

Ron Woody

Feb. 27, 1947 – April 2, 2022

Ronald “Ron” Woody, age 75, of Webb City, passed away on April 2 at his home surrounded by his family. He was born on Feb. 27, 1947, in Fort Scott, Kan., to James and JoAnna Woody. Ron was loved by many, and his passion for family, Christ, church family, friends and people was shown in everything he did.

Ron married Muriel on May 28, 1966, at the Pleasant View Baptist Church in Vernon County. In 1999, he achieved his specialist degree in counseling at Pittsburg State University. He worked for over 29 years in social services for the State of Missouri. He also worked at First Baptist Church of Webb City as an associate pastor for 23 years, retiring in 2021. During Ron’s time at First Baptist, he was instrumental in the creation and leadership of the Celebrate Recovery program. Ron said many times that in his jeans and a t-shirt, visiting with people at recovery houses on his motorcycle, was when he felt that he was being the hands and feet of Jesus the most.

He enjoyed bringing people to Jesus and spending time with his grandkids. During his free time, Ron enjoyed working on his farm equipment, especially a Farmall tractor, a prized family heirloom. Ron deeply appreciated and valued the relationships made with the Celebrate Recovery program at First Baptist in Webb City.

Ron was preceded in death by his father, James, and a brother, Willard. He is survived by his wife, Muriel, of Webb City; his mother, JoAnna; two sons Jason, and Shane and wife Jennifer Woody; grandchildren Alexandra, Jacob, and Coleton; siblings Linda Vansickle and husband Gary, Gloria Guzman and husband Frank, Dr. Mike and wife Linda Jo Woody, Cindy Leech, Dedra “DeDe” Montgomery, and James “Marty” and wife Gayle.

Funeral services for Ron will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, April 7, at the First Baptist Church of Webb City. A public viewing will be held beginning 10 a.m. Thursday until the service time. The family will not be present during the public viewing time. A graveside service will follow at Mt. Hope Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Ed Wecker, Mark Baker, George Mayes, Anthony Eck, Marty Woody and Mike Woody. Honorary pallbearers will be Jason Woody, Shane Woody, Bill Riggs, Roger Smith and Don Wells.

The family would like to thank all the people for the outpouring of love, time, and prayers over the last several years. They would also like to thank all who were involved in bringing the Farmall tractor back to life so Ron could see it move under it’s own power again before he passed away.

Memorial contributions can be made to First Baptist Church of Webb City or Life Choices. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Simpson Funeral Home.