Simpson Funeral Home

10/27/2026

Join us for dinner and peace of mind!
Simpson Funeral Home is hosting an Advanced Planning BBQ on Thursday, November 19th at 6 p.m. at the Webb City Mining Days Event Center (703 Dawson Dr, Webb City, MO).

Enjoy smoked ribs and briskets with good company while learning about simple, affordable ways to plan ahead and lock in today’s prices. No pressure—just helpful information from our local team so you can make decisions on your own terms.

RSVP by DM, or text or call: 417-673-2411

Space is limited—scan the QR code or reach out to save your spot. We hope to see you there!

10/27/2026

Today is Navy Day! With a history dating back to 1775 and including many illustrious historical figures, the Navy has a lot to be proud of. Do you know any sailors who are currently serving or served in the past? We'd love to join you in honoring their commitment and sacrifice.

10/26/2026

Terry Lee Rose, age 74, passed away on her birthday, October 25, 2026. Her parents were Paul and Noma Bottom. She was a 1970 graduate of Webb City High School. Terry married her high school sweetheart, Terry Dean Rose, in 1973.

Terry earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Education from Missouri ...

10/26/2026

SERVICES ANNOUNCED: On behalf of the family, we announce the passing of lifelong educator, Terry Rose. A visitation will be held from 6-8pm on Thursday the 29th at Christ's Church of Oronogo. A funeral service will be held at 10am on Friday.

MRS. ROSE'S OBITUARY: Terry Lee Rose, age 74, passed away on her birthday, October 25, 2026. Her parents were Paul and Noma Bottom. She was a 1970 graduate of Webb City High School. Terry married her high school sweetheart, Terry Dean Rose, in 1973.

Terry earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Education from Missouri Southern State College and a Master’s Degree from Pittsburg State University, and later earned gifted education certification. She attended many Missouri Gifted Education Conferences and one National Gifted Education Conference.

She grew up wanting to be a teacher and dearly loved teaching. Her entire teaching career was spent at Webb City Schools. The majority of her years were spent with gifted students at both the junior high and high school, but she also taught first and second grades and junior high social studies. She said she worked with many wonderful students who enriched her life. They made her laugh, sometimes worry, and many times proud. She will admit, she prayed a lot.

Over the years she was honored by receiving numerous teaching awards. Mrs. Rose received the Judge Clay Cowgill Memorial Award of Teaching Excellence. She was honored by receiving student-nominated awards, which included Missouri Scholars Academy and Missouri Fine Arts Academy Teacher Appreciation Awards and Joplin Globe Distinguished Educators Awards. The Webb City Chamber of Commerce presented her with the Cardinal Teacher Award. The Webb City Schools Foundation honored her with the Pillar of the Past award, and most recently, to be inducted into the Webb City Schools Hall of Fame in the spring of 2027.

Terry embraced her life-long faith. She could not imagine life without trusting in Christ and Him directing her paths. She was a member of Christ’s Church of Oronogo. She taught many Sunday School, VBS, Wee Worship, Junior Church, and summer camp classes.

Terry’s most precious times, called “Golden Days,” were spent with her husband, children and grandchildren. Her favorite pastimes included cooking for her family, traveling, and in later years, living by Big Sugar River, where she loved playing with the grandkids, kayaking, swimming and eagle watching.

Terry is survived by her husband, Terry; a son, Landon Rose, and his wife Jenna, Brownsburg, Indiana; two daughters, Laura Ragsdale and her husband Scott, Carthage; and Lynnae Cook and her husband Jacob, Fair Grove; her mother Noma Bottom, Joplin; two brothers, Tom Bottom, Oronogo, and Toby Bottom, Joplin. Also surviving are nine grandchildren – Lila, Julia, and Deklan Rose; Bennett, Ryder, Charlotte and Elliott Ragsdale; and Jasper and Leeona Cook.
Her father, Paul Bottom, preceded her in death.

Pallbearers will be Landon Rose, Scott Ragsdale, Jacob Cook, Bennett Ragsdale, Ryder Ragsdale and Terry Rose, with honorary pallbearers Elliott Ragsdale, Jasper Cook, and Deklan Rose.

A visitation will be held from 6-8pm on Thursday, October 29th at Christ's Church of Oronogo. Funeral services will be held at 10am on Friday, October 30th also at the church, with Landon Rose officiating.

Interment will be at Purcell Friends’ Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Challenge Your Potential Scholarship at the Webb City Schools Foundation, in care of the funeral home. Services are under the direction of Simpson Funeral Home.

10/26/2026

10/23/2026

With Halloween right around the corner, is it too spooky to talk about cemeteries? We'll keep it lighthearted. Here's an intriguing list of some of America's oldest cemeteries and the history behind them!

If you're interested in history and how cemeteries can tell incredible stories, check out this list of America's oldest cemeteries!

10/22/2026

Have you thought about what kind of legacy you'll leave behind?

Every action you take and word you speak contributes to how you'll be remembered after you're gone. Did you speak with kindness? Were you there to support your friends and family? Did you build someone up when they needed it?

What small steps can you take to create a legacy of love today? Let us know how you’re building a legacy in the comments below!

10/22/2026

WEBB CITY, MISSOURI - We announce the passing of Rodney Bishop, Sr.

OBITUARY FOLLOWS: Lovingly written by the family-

Rodney L. Bishop Sr, born December 6, 1937 died peacefully at home on October 21, 2026.

He leaves behind his wife, Audrey of the home. His daughter, Kelly Bishop of Flower Mound, Texas. His son Phillip Bishop and his wife Missie of Cherryvale, Kansas. His Daughter, Anne Thomas of Wentzville, Missouri. His four grandchildren and one great grandchild. His step daughter, Briana Markham and her husband Michael of Hilliard, Ohio. His four step grandchildren. His sister, Coleen Yocum and her husband Ron of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

He was a Webb City resident and graduated from Webb City High School in 1955. A memorial for the family will be held at their home. We wish to express appreciation to Compassus Hospice for their kindness and compassion.

Cremation will take place under the personal care and direction of Simpson Funeral Home. The family encourages relatives and friends to celebrate Rodney's life by visiting the funeral home website. There, you can share photos and memories that capture the essence of Rodney's life and the profound effect he had on those around him. As we remember Rodney, let us honor his life by cherishing the memories we have and the love he left behind.

10/22/2026

-Lovingly written by the family-

Rodney L. Bishop Sr, born December 6, 1937 died peacefully at home on October 21, 2026.

He leaves behind his wife, Audrey of the home. His daughter, Kelly Bishop of Flower Mound, Texas. His son Phillip Bishop and his wife Missie of Cherryvale, Kansas...

10/19/2026

TRAGICALLY LOST - SERVICES ANNOUNCED: On behalf of the family, we announce the funeral services for Audrey Witham for this Saturday, October 24th at Simpson Funeral Home in Webb City. A visitation will be held at 1pm with a funeral service following at 2pm.

AUDREY'S OBITUARY: Audrey Nicole Witham, affectionately known as "Tater" to her family and friends, left us on October 15, 2026, from injuries sustained in an automobile accident. Born on September 2, 2008, in Fort Scott, KS, Audrey lived a life that was nothing short of adventurous, creative, loyal, and loving. Like a melody that resonates through time, Audrey's life was a symphony of laughter, joy, and indelible memories.

Audrey's journey took her from Ft. Scott, KS, to Monett and Wheaton, and finally to Joplin, Missouri. Regardless of where she resided, Audrey brought with her a unique zest for life and an infectious grin that could light up any room. Her creativity knew no bounds, as she found immense joy in drawing, making and listening to music, and cooking. In her free time, she was happiest being immersed in nature, swimming, camping, or simply hanging out with her friends. Audrey was a loyal friend and loving family member who believed that the bonds of family extended beyond blood relations. Her friends were her family, and making them happy was her greatest joy.

In her professional life, Audrey served as an enthusiastic kitchen assistant at a local movie theater. Her adventurous spirit led her to dream of becoming a CIA agent in her younger years and later a welder. Though she was still in the process of discovering her true calling, her passion for helping others and her zest for life were evident in all that she did. In the words of Maya Angelou, "You can only become truly accomplished at something you love. Don’t make money your goal. Instead, pursue the things you love doing, and then do them so well that people can’t take their eyes off of you."

Audrey was preceded in death by her grandfather, Danny Orndorff; her aunt, Nola Benz (Wallen); her cousin, Christopher Jones; her aunt, Misty Jones; and her stepfather, Michael Grimes. She leaves behind a loving family who cherish her memory: her parents, Robbie Witham and Emily Grimes; her grandmothers, Erma Orndorff and Betty Clark; her siblings, Dominic Orndorff, Killian Grimes, Brenya Grimes, Taylor Witham, Dalton Witham, and Sierra Lowry; her cousins, Lucinda Unger, Traven Witham, Crysta Witham, Koda Grayson, Kyler Benz, Nathan Benz, Jackson Crow, Mason Crow, , Lacy Cook, Dakota Birchfield, David Tracy; her second cousins, Kesha Birchfield, and Aaron Birchfield; her uncle & aunt, Adam & Cynthia Witham; her aunt, Eva Witham; and her uncle, Jeff Jones.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at 1pm at Simpson Funeral Home (400 West Daugherty Street, Webb City, Missouri, 64870). The funeral service will follow at 2pm at the same location. All services are under the direction of Simpson Funeral Home.

In Audrey's memory, let us remember her not for her passing, but for her vibrant life, her joyous spirit, and the love she so freely gave. Please visit the funeral home website to share photos and memories of Audrey. Your stories will help keep her spirit alive, and your memories will provide comfort to all who loved her. Audrey's light may have dimmed in this world, but her memory will forever shine in our hearts.