Adams Funeral Home

The mystery was relatively simple: Did Geneva Adams, a 53-year-old Herculaneum, Missouri, mother of 10 who disappeared 42 years ago, lie buried in a device called a Zeigler Box somewhere in the sprawling private cemetery in Fairview Heights? Several sets of records had been needed to locate her supposed grave that had only been marked “Jane Doe” or “unidentified remains.” While St. Clair County Coroner Calvin Dye and a number of coroner’s office personnel and police observed, the backhoe dug up earth down about four feet in several locations from a central starting point. But nothing was found except a coffin handle that was probably unrelated to the search. “This was the right plot. She is supposed to be there,” said Herculaneum, Mo., Police Chief Mark Telgetske, one of the leaders of the lengthy investigation to find out what happened to Adams. She vanished after an uncharacteristic night out on the town that started near her home town in Missouri and is believed to have ended up in a dance hall in East St. Louis. Premium content for only $0.99 For the most comprehensive local coverage, subscribe today. #ReadLocal ...

With her boyfriend Marjunna Richardson holding her arm, Adams took a deep breath each time she moved closer to her 9-year-old daughter, McKenzie, who wore a silver tiara as she lay inside an open casket in the gym of U.S. Jones Elementary School. A couple of hundred people in the audience looked on.Approaching the white casket from a few feet away, Adams’ steps became slower, her breathing more intense.Standing at her daughter’s side, the weight of her daughter’s death was too much to bear for Adams. With Richardson letting go of her, Adams began to wail. A wreath of flowers with the words “You are loved, little one” was next to the casket as Adams was consoled by Richardson and other members of the family.McKenzie died on Dec. 3 after relatives said she hanged herself in the family home. The family says McKenzie's death followed months of being bullied by her classmates at U.S. Jones. Adams and other family members believe bullying led an otherwise happy girl to take her own life. While officials with Demopolis City Schools have maintained they never knew of any bullying McKenzie allegedly endured, police in both Demopolis and Linden are investigating the family's claims.Richardson held Adams, rocking her back and forth, as the Rev. Dewayne Charleston of Gilfield Baptist Church spoke.“If you have to cry, let it out because this is a hard deal for anyone to go through, but we know that God is on our side, so everything will be all right,” Charleston said.While many people in the audience came to pay their respects to McKenzie, many offered support to Adams and the family. The Class of 2007 of Linden High School presented Adams with a plaque to honor McKenzie. Many of them wore buttons with a picture with McKenzie, along with the words “Stop Bullying.”For McKenzie’s aunt, Eddwina Harris, the days since McKenzie’s death have been hard.“My heart is broken,” Harris said. ...

Born November 23, 1954, she was the daughter of Willard and Mary Catherine (Wright) Eggersman. Rhonda was of the Lutheran faith and was very spiritual in her beliefs. She enjoyed finding a bargain at yard sales, watching television, working jig saw puzzles and playing games on her tablet but most of all she loved, cherished, and devoted her life caring for her family. Survivors include, six children, Tammy Jane Helton of Texas, Ronnie Dee Cottrell of West Lafayette, IN, Glenda Renee (Robert Seniours) Helton of Seymour, IN, Bruce Buckner of Uniontown, IN, Misty Fawn Woods and Brandi Lou Buckner both of Seymour, IN, a sister, Brenda Dean of Texas and 16 grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Kenny Buckner, a daughter, Tammy Lynn Buckner, four grandchildren, three sisters, and four brothers. Adams Family Funeral Home and Crematory in Crothersville has been entrusted with cremation services. Online condolences can be given to the family at www.AdamsFuneralHomeOnline.com...