Obituary of Bessie Stoufer Laughlin

Bessie Stoufer Laughlin, 93, passed into her heavenly life April 14, 2017 at her home in Springield, MO surrounded by loved ones. Bessie was born March 8, 1924 to Clarence Lewis and Sarah Francis “Fannie”(Parrack)Stoufer in Macks Creek where she spent her childhood. Bessie was saved during a revival and baptized in 1939 in the Macks Creek river. On June 29, 1940 in Macks Creek, she married the love of her life, Robert Ward Laughlin. Bob and Bessie were blessed with 2 children-Robert Ward, Jr and Annette. At the time of her death, she was a member of Parrack Grove Missionary Baptist Church. Bessie had several jobs outside the home throughout the years. Her first job was waitressing in a trolley car cafe in Macks Creek where she met Bob. During the 1940s she and Bob moved to Oregon where Bessie picked fruit and graded lumber. In the 1950s while living in Kansas City, Bessie worked at the York Peppermint Candy Factory and Montgomery Wards. After returning to Macks Creek, being a helpmate to her husband on the dairy farm and taking care of her family were her major occupations. Her last job outside the home was working in daycare at the First Baptist Church in Camdenton. Bessie was very active many years with work within the Macks Creek Baptist Church where she also taught Girls Auxiliary and Sunday School. She was also active with the Macks Creek PTA. In 2012, Bessie sold her home in Macks Creek and relocated in Springfield across the street from her daughter Annette, where she lived in her home until her death. Bessie was preceded in death by her husband Bob in 2001 and their son, Robert Ward Laughlin, Jr. in 2007. She was also preceded in death by 6 brothers - Glen, Norman (Ticky), one unnamed infant, C. L. Jr, Johnnie and Donald Stoufer ; and 4 sisters- Blanch Hicks, Bonnie Hunt Young, Beulah Owsley and Berniece Stoufer. Bessie is survived by one daughter, Annette Genung and her husband Jamie of Springfield; one grandson, Jimmy Laughlin and his wife Shelly of Decaturville; 2 great grandchildren- Morgan and Jeana Laughlin; one brother, Karl Stoufer and his wife Terrie of Macks Creek and many nieces, nephews and loved ones.Bessie left many memories, touched many hearts and will be deeply missed. Services will be held Wednesday, April 19 at Hedges-Scott Funeral Home in Macks Creek. Visitation will be at 1:00 pm with the funeral following at 2:00 pm. Burial will be at Parrack Grove Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to Parrack Grove Cemetery.