Laura Meacham Hutton

Laura Meacham Hutton, 89, of Kennett, Mo., widow of Mr. Billy Joe "B.J." Hutton, passed from this life Sunday, July 24, 2022, at the Gosnell Health and Rehab Center. She and her twin, Thomas Richard, were born Feb. 20, 1933, in Cave City to the late Charles Monroe and Rossie Belle Rodgers Meacham. Laura and her 14 siblings were raised in the Blackwater community near Manila. She enjoyed being a part of a large and close knit family with many cousins, nieces, nephews and devoted friends. Laura was a 1952 graduate of Manila High School. In 1953, she was crowned "Miss Manila" and represented her hometown in the "Miss Arkansas" pageant. In 1967, she and her late husband made their home in Kennett. After her sons graduated high school, Laura attended cosmetology school and after graduating, she opened Laura's Beauty Shop and operated that business until retiring in 2016. She attended the First United Methodist Church in Kennett after being a longtime member of the First United Methodist Church in Manila. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by one son, Joey Hutton; eight brothers, J.D., J.W., Mark, Bobby, Bud, Robert, Billy and her twin Tom; and sisters, Maudine Vermillion, Charlesteen Crabtree, Lawana Miles, Rhodell Bunch and Patsy Bowie Fyles, all of whom were awaiting her arrival in Heaven.

Survivors include three sons, Vaughn Hutton of Marion, Rand Hutton of Kennett, Mark Hutton and his wife Paula of Blytheville. She leaves four granddaughters, Jennifer Marie Misner (Troy), Morgan Marsh (Austin), Molie Samantha Prater (Andrew) and Katie Melinda Hutton; and two grandsons, Nathan Andrew Hutton and Joshua Mark Hutton (Katie). She also leaves three great-granddaughters, Joie Beth Misner, Millie Ann Misner and Wrynlie Misner, and two sisters-in-law, Drusilla Meacham Price and Pauline Meacham. 

Laura was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister and aunt. She always encouraged her children and grandchildren to do their best at whatever they undertook and was unfaltering in her love and support.

Graveside services will be 1 p.m. Thursday, July 28, in the Manila Cemetery with Joe Miles officiating under the direction of Howard Funeral Service of Manila.  The family will receive visitors Thursday morning from 11 until service time at the funeral home. Online guest register: www.howardfuneralservice.com