Marvin ‘Dale’ Privett

ELLSINORE — Melvin “Dale” Privett was born May 4, 1933, to Lloyd Melvin Privett and Pauline Blue Privett on the family farm south of Ellsinore, Missouri, and departed this life on Aug. 17, 2020, at 5:45 p.m. at his home in Diamond, Missouri, surrounded by his family.

Maternal grandparents were James Marlen Blue and Addie Lee Graham Blue. Paternal grandparents were James Issac Privett and Lovada Bartholemeuw Privett.

Maternal great-grandparents were Uriah Blue and Ruth Jane Skaggs Blue. They were some of the earlier settlers in Ellsinore. Uriah was a blacksmith. His shop was near where the present Senior Center is located.

Paternal great-grandparents were Marion W. Privett and Melinda Glen Burns Privett. Marion was originally from Tennessee, but raised his family in Jewel County, Kansas. Marion was a member of the Constitutional committee and served a short time as a scout in the Union Army.

Dale is a Korean veteran and served four years in the United States Air Force. Dale’s father, Lloyd Privett, served in the United States Army during World War I. Dale’s son, Mel Privett, served nearly 20 years as a pilot in the United States Air Force.

Dale was preceded in death by his parents, Llyod and Pauline Privett; his sister, Lois Privett Smith; and his brother, Gene Privett; his nephew, Melvin George Privett; and his niece, Sharon Smith Liebi. He was also preceded by his son, James William Privett.

Dale and Mebyl Hames Privett were married on Aug. 21, 1953, in Cullman, Alabama. She survives at the home in Diamond, Missouri.

Dale is survived by his daughter, Patricia Privett Sayles and James; three sons, Mel Privett and Vickie of Alton, Missouri, Dr. Jon Privett and Sharon of Laurie, Missouri, and Lynn Privett and Camille of Liberty, Missouri.

Dale also is survived by seven grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Dale graduated from the Ellsinore High School in May of 1951.

After discharge from the United States Air Force, he attended college at Springfield and Cape Girardeau.

He spent 38 years serving in the schools of Missouri and Kansas. He served as a teacher and high school principal at Silex Missouri High School and a teacher and principal at East Carter High in Ellsinore.

In 1969, he was hired as student financial aid officer and federal program director at Three Rivers Community College in Poplar Bluff.

In 1977, he became high school principal at Alton High School in Missouri. In July 1982, he was selected as superintendent of schools of the Van Buren R-1 District.

He retired from education in Missouri in July of 1989. After retiring from education in Missouri, he was employed by Kansas City, Kansas, Community College as director of federal programs before retiring again in August of 1994.

Visitation will be held on Friday, Aug. 21, 2020, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the McSpadden Funeral Home in Ellsinore, Missouri, with the funeral service being held on Saturday, Aug. 22, 2020, at 1 p.m. in the funeral home chapel. Danny Boggs of the Hillcrest Church of Christ in Neosho will conduct the services. He will be aided by other members of the congregation. Burial will be in the Carson Hill Cemetery, located north of Ellsinore.

Online condolences: www.mcspaddenfh.com .