2004 Missourian Award Presented to Hannah Cole

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The 2004 Missourian Award Plaque given on behalf of Hannah Cole

 

Proclamation, Medallion, and Booklet for the 2004 Missourian Award

 
 

RIVER WOMAN

written by Laura Beth Cooper

 
They say you have no face
We’ll have to look at photographs of your children
To discover who you are – yet I know your face
The shadow of your countenance river woman!

The strong outline of the chin – fixed in staunch solitude
As you stand on the banks of the Missouri.
The wind drives lines into your face, and you smile – The water reflects happiness back to you
And your eyes dance with excitement.

It is your river to build on; cross over and fish in – Until the natives come and you defend her banks
As your eyes fill with fear of the unknown river woman – And your face grows stronger and more clear!

See the wind blow your hair and fill your eyes with pride
About what is yet to come on her bluffs.
The farmers, the brick layer of the city’s streets
Old houses on shady lanes – The Missouri painter, the railroad worker,
The bread baker, the Kemper soldier, the writer,
The store clerk, the seamstress and Boonville blossoms.

We all know your face river woman!
I saw it in my grandmother’s determined look
My mother’s carrying ways
Each morning it is reflected back to me in a mirror
And behind me stands my son with his Cole ways.

Your face is ours – this city chiseled from the dreams of your countenance.
We are proud and fearless as the water runs past us and the blood through our veins.
And on this day, on her very banks
Show us that face river woman that we already know – Smile upon us pioneer woman, frontier settler, river woman – Hannah Cole!

Gregory R. Solomon

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Gregory Ruis Solomon, 56, of Los Angeles, Calif. died Tuesday, October 19, 2004 at his home. A memorial service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, November 7, 2004 at the Nelson Memorial United Methodist Church in Boonville, Mo. The body will be cremated and buried at sea.

Mr. Solomon was born July 28, 1948 in Mexico, Mo. to Myrl Roe and Martha Elizabeth Ruis Solomon. He graduated from Boonville High School in 1966 and received his Bachelor of Music Degree from Drury College in Springfield, Mo. in 1971. In 1997 he received his Masters Degree in Music from the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond, Okla. Because of his passion for music, Greg was a professional trombone player.

He was a member of the Nelson Memorial United Methodist Church.

Mr. Solomon is survived by his brother, Steve Solomon and his sister Nancy Ward, both of Boonville. He is also survived by his nephews and nieces: Jim Ward, Missy Walker Tiffany Solomon, Amy Sanchez, Charice Hilgedick, Patrick Solomon, and Erica Breshears as well as 11 great-nieces and great-nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

The family has suggested memorials to the Cooper County Mental Health Association in care of Thacher-Wood Funeral Home.

William L. Painter

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William L. Painter, 74, of Pilot Grove, Mo., died Wednesday, December 3, 2003 at the Lakeview Care Center in Boonvile, MO. Funeral services will be 1:00 p.m. Saturday, December 6, 2003, at the Meisenheimer Funeral Chapel in Pilot Grove. Rev. Mary Harris-Koth will officiate the service.

Family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, December 5 at the funeral home. Burial will be in Walnut Grove Cemetery in Boonville.

Pallbearers will be Bill Geiger, Tim Kueckelhan, Alvin French, Virgil Chamberlain, Dr. John Fortman, and Jim Painter. Honorary pallbearers will be Milford Haller, Bill Bryan, Danny Painter, Bob Todd, Steve Shaw, Clay Baslee and Ed Stegner.

Mr. Painter was born August 24, 1929, in Speed, Mo., the son of James L. and Cordelia Solomon Painter. He married Alice Haller April 20, 1953 in Boonville. He attended elementary school in Bell Air, Mo., and Speed, Mo., graduating from Pilot Grove High School in 1948. He lived on and operated the family farm his entire life. He was baptized at Bell Air Methodist Church and later became a member of the St. John’s United Church of Christ in Billingsville, Mo. He served on the Cooper County Youth Fair Board and the Cooper County Extension Council. He enjoyed hunting, trapping, and fish frys with his family and neighbors. He was a great-great-grandson of Hannah Cole.

He is survived by his wife; two sons, Gene Painter of Pilot Grove, Bob Painter of Boonville ; one sister, Marie Fortman of Pilot Grove; one brother, Edgar “Red” Painter of Boonville; three grandsons; one granddaughter, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Robert L. Painter.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Hannah Cole Cemetery Fund in care of Meisenheimer Funeral Home, PO Box 35, Pilot Grove, MO 65276.