Jessie Laverne (Roark) Boyer

ELLSINORE, Mo. -Jessie Laverne (Roark) Boyer, 80, daughter of the late William Thomas and Ora Mae (Berry) Roark, was born Sept. 8, 1939 in Poplar Bluff, Mo., and departed this life on June 12, 2020 at Ellsinore, Mo.

Jessie had resided in Ellsinore, Mo. for most of her life. She was of the Baptist faith, and was a member of the Ellsinore General Baptist Church. She started her career in 1973 at Leach Brothers Charcoal as a single mother determined to raise her three girls and retired after 28 years from the Charcoal Plant. She enjoyed cooking and baking for others. She was known for having the best “buns” in town. Jessie had a heart of gold and you never had to guess what was on her mind. She was always putting the needs of others before her own.

On May 5, 2001, she was united in marriage to George A. Boyer in Williamsville, Mo.

She is survived by her husband, George Boyer of Ellsinore, Mo.; three daughters, Amy (Oliver) Douglas of Poplar Bluff, Mo., Michelle (Rick) Maness of Marshfield, Mo., and Alberta (David) Bowman of Ellsinore, Mo.; adopted son, Bobby Joplin of Poplar Bluff, Mo.; four step-children, Trudy Boyer, Jeff Boyer and Mike Boyer, all of Ellington, Mo. and John (Christie) Boyer of Doniphan, Mo.; two self-adopted daughters, Kathy Kearbey and Gayla Downs, both of Ellsinore, Mo.; grandchildren, Stephanie (Travis) Maddox, Cassie (Dustin) Downs, Denise Douglas, Shelby Richardson, Adriane (Jesse) McDaniel, Christie Maness and Matthew Maness; many great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews, relatives and friends who mourn her passing.

In addition to her parents, Jessie was preceded in death by five brothers, Burton Roark, Perry Roark, Matt Roark, Howard Roark and Jerry Roark; four sisters, Edwina Carnahan, Violet Skaggs, Wilma Foreman and Gladys Leach.

A Visitation will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 16, 2020 in the McSpadden Funeral Home in Ellsinore, Mo., with the funeral services following at 1 p.m. in the Funeral Home Chapel, Rev. William McDowell, Rev. Jerry Crowley and Rev. Jerry Adams will be Officiating. Burial will be in the Kearbey Cemetery in Ellsinore, Mo.

Online condolences: www.mcspaddenfh.com