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Submitted: 5/1/21 • Approved: 5/2/21 • Last Updated: 5/5/21 • R1371922-G1371920-S3
Bobby
March 20, 1929 - November 6, 2019
*Obituary
Meadors Funeral Home
Republic, Missouri
Mr. Bobby Jo Giddens, age 90, of Billings, Missouri, passed away peacefully in his home, on Wednesday, November 6, 2019. He was born March 20, 1929, in Lowell, Arkansas, the son of Earl Vernon and Juanita Earlene (Beard) Giddens. He was preceded in death by his wife, Lolita “Leta”; his son Edwin and his parents.
Mr. Giddens met his wife at a church gathering and they married on February 24, 1951 and had three sons. Michael, Ronald, and Edwin. They made their home on the West coast, in California, until moving to Illinois where Mr. Giddens was a mechanical engineer by profession, working in the adhesive manufacturing industry. The family eventually relocated to Elkland, Missouri, and then Billings, Missouri.
Bobby is survived by his sons, Michael and Ronald and their wives; six grandchildren and many great grandchildren.
A private burial will be held on November 8, 2019, in the Hart Cemetery, Rogers, Arkansas, under the direction of Meadors Funeral Home, Republic, Missouri. Family and friends may share online condolences at www.meadorsfuneralhome.com.
Leta
October 29, 1928 - July 23, 2019
*Obituary
Meadors Funeral Home
Republic, Missouri
Lolita “Leta” (Freshour) Giddens, age 90, of Billings, Missouri, passed away peacefully in her home, on Tuesday, July 23, 2019. She was born on October 29, 1928 in Santa Clara, California, the daughter of Everett Edison and Minnie Clarice (Simpson) Freshour.
She grew up in various areas of California and Washington with her older brother, John Frishour; younger brother, Sidney Freshour; and younger sisters, Eloise and Eve Freshour. She had an older sister, Mary Ellen Freshour, who passed before Leta’s first birthday.
In California, Leta worked at the French Hospital in her teens; completed secretarial school; worked at Vandenburg; and as a court clerk; as well as working in a bookstore at Cal Poly.
She met her husband, Bobby Giddens at a church function. They married on February 24, 1951, and had three boys, Michael, Ronald, and Edwin.
They raised their boys in California until moving to Illinois in 1962. Leta worked for the University of Illinois in various departments.
Later the family moved to Elkland, Missouri in 1969, where Leta helped run the farm and bred show quality dogs.
She loved spending time with her grandchildren; working on puzzles; crocheting and knitting; collecting dolls; working on the family tree; and most of all, Leta loved Jesus.
She was preceded in death by a son, Edwin; her parents; a brother, John; and sisters, Mary Ellen, and Eloise.
Leta is survived by her husband of 68 years, Bobby; her sons, Michael and Ronald and their wives; six grandchildren; and many great grandchildren.
A private burial will be held in the Hart Cemetery, Rogers, Arkansas, under the direction of Meadors Funeral Home, Republic, Missouri. A Celebration of Life will be held from 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 27, 2019 in Hood’s Truck Stop, 1651 State Highway K, Bois D’Arc, Missouri, 65612. Family and friends may share online condolences at www.meadorsfuneralhome.com
Married February 24, 1951
Contributed on 5/1/21 by judyfrog
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Record #: 1371922