Bootheel Tiger Lillies
Jacqueline Dierks, Beloved Malden Educator and Community Figure, Dies at 84
Jacqueline Dierks, 84, of Malden, Missouri, passed away on April 2, 2026, surrounded by her loved ones. Jackie was born on May 30th, 1941, to Jack and Dorothy Waller. She was a proud Alumna of Malden High School, Class of 1959, and the University of Mississippi for Women. She retired from teaching at the Malden R-1 School District. She loved her students and her time in education. She enjoyed visiting with her former students and supporting Green Wave athletics and activities. She shared her early life with her first husband, the late Tom Chambers, with whom she had her only child, Traci Chambers Wilson. She later married Guy Cruce, who preceded her in death, and Charles Dierks. She is survived by her husband of 35 years, Charles Dierks. She was an avid college football fan and loved the Kansas City Chiefs. She enjoyed spending time at the golf course and playing a competitive game of Bridge. Her greatest joy was being a Mawmaw to her beloved grandchildren. She cherished every ball game, shopping trip, and ice cream run with her grandkids. She is survived by her husband, Charles Dierks; her brother, Gordon Waller (Debbie); her daughter, Traci Chambers Wilson (Bob); her grandchildren: Sarah Beth Knight (Hunter) and Jackson Wilson (Janie); her step-daughter, Kehli Dierks Rouse (Charlie) and her children, Mary Charles and Lucie; her step-son, Tyler Dierks; and her great-grandchildren Grayson and Anna Kate Knight. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered. Visitation will begin at 2 p.m., Saturday, April 4, 2026 at the Landess Funeral Home in Malden, Missouri, with the funeral service beginning at 3:30 p.m. in the funeral home chapel. Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery, Malden, Missouri. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Malden Historical Museum in her honor. Landess Funeral Home and Crematory of Malden is in charge of the arrangements.
Memorial and Rememberance
Bootheel Beacon Welcomes Memorials
Robert "Bob" Phillips, 78, remembered for a life of faith, service and community
Robert "Bob" Phillips, 78, of Cape Girardeau, Missouri died Saturday, January 10, 2026 at his home, surrounded by family.
He was born September 24, 1947 in Malden, Missouri to Emily Sara Emerson Phillips.
He and Debbie Pollmann were married June 24, 1978 at Owensville, Missouri.
Bob was a 1965 graduate of Malden High School. He received an associate of arts degree from Williams Baptist College in Walnut Ridge, Arkansas in 1967 and a bachelor of science in education degree in 1970 from Arkansas State in Jonesboro where he was also very active in the TKE Beta Psi Chapter. He later received a certificate in Christian studies in 1996 from the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
He taught for one year in Malden and served as the freshmen football coach. He then began a 40 year career with Cameron Mutual Insurance Company with the majority of that time in claims risk management. He retired in 2012.
Bob had been a member of Kimbeland Country Club since 1986 and had been on the board of directors. He also volunteered at the Southeast Hospital Cancer Center. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Cape Girardeau where he was a Sunday School Teacher, youth leader and deacon.
He liked to read and watch movies. He enjoyed golf and photography, and he loved to travel.
Survivors include his wife, Debbie Phillips of Cape Girardeau; son, Kent (Jamie) Phillips of Cape Girardeau; three cousins, Teri Lynn Kratzer of Foley, Alabama, Jeff Hampton of Copperas Cove, Texas and Jim Hampton of Dothan, Alabama.
He was preceded in death by his parents; uncle, Sheridan "Dutch" Emerson; two aunts, Imogene Emerson and Juanita Davis; and cousin, Peggy Jean Hampton.
Visitation will be 5:00 to 7:00 pm on Wednesday, January 14, 2026 at First Baptist Church of Cape Girardeau.
Funeral service will be at 11:00 am Thursday, January 15, 2026 at First Baptist Church of Cape Girardeau with the Rev. Wesley Tew officiating.
Memorial contributions may be given to First Baptist Church of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University Athletics or TKE Beta Psi Alumni Association.
The family would like to thank the nurses at Mercy Hospital Southeast for their compassionate support and care of Bob during his stays.