Lawrence Lee Stough

Lawrence Lee Stough, 87, of Belle, passed away November 22, 2020 at the Harry S. Truman Hospital in Columbia, Mo after a brief illness.

Lee, as he was known by family and friends, was born on May 7, 1933 to John Sylvester and Nora Varley Stough in Newburg, Mo. Lee attended school at Newburg and served his country in the United States Army from July 1951 to July 1953 and then completed 8 years of Reserve duty in July 1961.

 On November 8, 1952, Lee married Shirley Ann Butler. They were blessed with daughter, Brenda LeAnn, and son, Johnny Lee. Lee went to work at the Belle Counter Company after his tour of active duty. He started as a Molder and was Superintendent when he retired after 52 years. Lee was a member of the Community of Christ Church, Belle, and was an ordained Deacon for 59 years.

 Lee loved to hunt and fish and spent lots of time at the cabin on the Gasconade River. He loved riding his 4 wheeler and making trails through the woods. He would always take his faithful canine companions. Butthead, then Beavis, and finally Domino. Rain or shine, sleet or snow-it didn’t matter. He lived to ride.

Lee is survived by his children, Brenda Rakestraw and Johnny Stough and his wife Donna of Belle; 6 grandchildren, Ryan Rakestraw (Michelle), Lauri Nelson (Stephen), Danny Rakestraw, Cari Brown (Kevin) of Belle, Robbie Rakestraw (Brandi) of South Pekin, Il., and April Kinkead (Jeff) of Canton, Il; 20 grandchildren, Eldon, Shaye, and Terance Rakestraw, Trislynn and Tara Webster, Chandra Hopkins, Gracee Jo Mantle, Rylee Rakestraw of Belle, Caitlyn Wilson of Blue Springs, Mo; Chase Rakestraw of Lebanon, Chelsey Laster (Chris) of Villa Ridge, Mo., Anjelica Lawson (Kevin) of Sedalia, Dalton Rakestraw and Jade Rakestraw of Salem, Il., Travis Turnage (Stephanie) of Rolla, Emmalee Turnage of Columbia, Mo., Brett Kinkead (Jessica) of Tremont, Il., and Presley McConkey (Blake) of Fairview, Il; 13 great-grandchildren, Evvy Rakestraw, Adelyn and Creed Hopkins of Belle. Jellisa, Jaxon, and Jason Walker of Sedalia, Mo, Ari and Jude Turnage of Rolla, Laila, Abby, and Kooper Kinkead of Tremont, Il., and Lucas and Laney McConkey of Fairview, Il; and one sister, JoAnn Sharp of Newburg, Mo. as well as many nieces and nephews.

Lee was preceded in death by his wife, Shirley of 43 years; his parents John and Nora Stough; four sisters and brothers-in-law, Mary Ethel (James) Lewis, Loraine (Leonard) Otis, Nancy Jane (Arnold) Guffey, Betty (Joe) Acquilliard; two brothers and sisters-in-laws, Lloyd (Grace) Stough and Frank Stough; and one son-in-in-law, Danny Rakestraw.

Lee leaves behind many awesome memories and I challenge you to follow the great legacy. "Lee was ALWAYS there for EVERYONE with a PRAYER, a SMILE, and a HUG."

Visitation for Lee will be from 2:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 29, 2020 at Sassmann’s Chapel in Belle. Masks are suggested as are social distancing guidelines.

Funeral services will be Monday, November 30, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ Belle Restoration Branch with Larry Banks officiating. Interment will be in the Community of Christ Cemetery in Linn.