He proudly served two years in the National Guard Larry Von Booth, 66, Ava, Missouri, formerly of Springfield, passed away Wednesday, January 24, 2007, in Cox South Hospital after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born March 30, 1940, to Roscoe and Marie Booth in Collins, Mississippi. Larry was the youngest of four children, with two older brothers and one sister. He graduated from Fair Grove High School in 1957, and during High School began working as a meat cutter, a trade that later lead him to be a successful businessman. Larry owned Booth’s So-Lo Market and two laundromats in Springfield.
Larry married his first wife, June, in April 1962, with whom he had two daughters Dara and Tara. On Sept. 19, 2005, Larry was united in marriage to Martha Stillings. He and Martha enjoyed scenic train rides and traveling during their time together.
Larry came to know the Lord on April 4, 2002, and enjoyed attending the Highway Church of the Nazarene. He proudly served his country for two years in the National Guard. His passion in life was for antique cars and attending car shows, and as a young man even enjoyed drag racing. Larry also enjoyed fishing, boating, attending sporting events of his grandchildren and spending time with his grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents and infant daughter, Dara.
Larry is survived by his loving wife Martha; daughter, Tara Dorsey and husband, Brian, of Springfield; three stepsons Leroy Stillings and wife, Teresa, Leslie Stillings and wife, Carla, all of Ava, and Mark Stillings and wife, Barbie of Nixa; two brothers, Hollis Booth, of Brookline, and Gene Booth and wife, Maxine, of Willard; a sister, Joan Highfill and husband, Hunter, of Springfield; two granddaughters, Danielle and Nicole Dorsey; six step-grandsons; four step-great-granddaughters; two aunts, Lucille Booth, of Springfield, and Freida Bruer, of Alabama; an uncle, Vaughn Booth, of Springfield; a very special niece, Brenda Sloan and her children Jenny, Crissy and Dustin, of Texas; the mother of his children, June Booth; many close friends and other relatives.
Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 29, in Highway Church of the Nazarene, Ava, under the direction of Barnes Family Funeral Home, Ozark, with Pastor Mark Hatcher, Pastor Dustin Ledford, and Pastor Terry Allcorn officiating. Burial with full military honors was held at 2 p.m. in White Chapel Memorial Gardens, Springfield.
Visitation was held from 2 to 4 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 28, in Barnes Family Funeral Home, Ozark.
Memorial contributions are suggested to South Side Senior Center, American Cancer Society, Rheumatoid Arthritis Foundation or Gideons International.
