Melissa "Missi" Dawn Plowman

Melissa Dawn Plowman, daughter of Andy Helton and Jean Smotherman Helton, was born on June 18, 1966 in Sycamore, Illinois, and passed away on August 16, 2022, after a long battle with cancer at her home, with her husband Steve and sons Tyler and Wyatt by her side.

On July 7, 1984, Melissa married the love of her life and best friend, Steven Earl Plowman.  They enjoyed 38 happy years together.  Two sons were born to this union, Tyler Steven and Wyatt Earl.

Missi, as her family and friends knew her; was saved and baptized at First Baptist Church in Summersville, MO., as a young teenager.  She recently re-dedicated her life to Jesus.

She moved back to Summersville with her family when she was 13, where she attended Summersville School and graduated in 1984.  In 1986, Steve enlisted in the US Navy and the two of them lived in Virginia and Mississippi.

Missi started her Wal-Mart career in Biloxi, Mississippi.  She then transferred to Mtn. View when they moved back to Missouri.  She has since then worked as an Assistant Store Manager for both Houston and Mtn. View Wal-Mart stores.  Her career spanned 30 plus years before she retired due to her health.

She grew up with a love for horseback riding, which she did with both family and friends. One of the things she enjoyed most in later years was spending time on the river with Steve and her boys, as well as other family and friends.  She also loved cruising the back roads with Steve and finding new places where she would later take her mom and sisters to see.  She and Steve loved their trips to Mexico, and began a yearly tradition to go together and make lasting memories.

Her grandchildren were the highlights of her life and she loved every minute spent with them, whether it was Gibson watching over her, Hadley putting on her make-up, Hudson playing in the sandbox with his tractor, or watching Haysli practice her tumbling. She was hoping to see them grow up, however her time was cut short and in her last days, her hope was that she created precious memories with them that would help them to always remember Nan Missi.

She was preceded in death by her sister Joyce Peifer, as well as grandparents Virgie & Dow Helton and Pauline Frye, and her mother-in-law and father-in-law Pat & Charles “Bob” Plowman.

Missi is survived by her husband, Steve Plowman; her sons; Tyler Plowman and Wyatt Plowman and his wife Kyli; her grandchildren, Gibson, Hadley, Hudson and Haysli; one brother, Kevin Helton & Karen, Sisters Sherry Rosenbum and Donnie, Robin Spacek and Butch, Brenda Duncan and Tom, Shawna Helton, and brothers-in-law Chuck Plowman, Doug Plowman (Kim), and Donald Peifer, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, great-great nieces and nephews,  and cousins.

If there was one thing Missi could tell those she leaves behind, it would be to not worry about tomorrow, but to enjoy each day God gives you, and to never forget to say, “I love you.”