County of doves: Lincoln County
Location of doves: Boone St., between MO-J & Trojan Dr., city cemetery, Troy
This simple grey tombstone, slightly slanted face, has two doves, one on each side. Each dove is in flight, and flying toward each other, or the center of the stone.
"The dove is most frequently seen animal symbol in the cemetery. It is portrayed in a number of poses, but most frequently it is seen holding an Olive Branch, a reference to the dove sent out by Noah to search for lane, as in Genesis 8.
"The dove then became a symbol of purity and peace because God had made peace with man. It also became a powerful symbol of the Holy Ghost, as illustrated in Jon 1.
"A dove, dive-bombing from the heavens, with an olive branch or a cross in its beak is the symbol for the Holy Ghost. This representation of a dove comes from John I." ~ Stories in Stone, by Douglas Keister, 2004, pages 79, 142
Gladys "Maxine" Speciale
February 24, 1933 - June 29, 2016
"Mrs. Gladys “Maxine” Speciale, 83, of Troy, MO, passed away on Wednesday, June 29, 2016. She was born on February 24, 1933, in Jonesboro, Arkansas, the child of Daniel and Cora (Woodard) Busby. Maxine’s father was a sharecropper and so she too was out in the fields. She helped her father to pick cotton, and whatever else needed to be done. Because of this adversity, Maxine grew up to become an amazingly strong woman, with a beautiful heart. Throughout her life, her priority was always her family. Nothing made her happier then to spend time with her loved ones. Maxine was a Christian who had very devout faith. She and her husband, John, enjoyed watching the Gaither’s on television, and loved listening to their music. She enjoyed working on genealogy, and even traveling for that purpose. For 23 years, Maxine worked at McDonnell-Douglas as a S.M.A.R., sheet metal assembly riveter. F-4 Phantom planes would come down from the ceiling on chains and she would rivet the side of them. Further in her career she began working on stealth aircraft, which required special security clearance. Maxine was a dynamic woman who was vastly talented and brought such love and light into the lives of many. She will be remembered lovingly by all those who knew her.
"She is survived by her beloved husband of 25 years, John F. Speciale, their children: Timothy McCool and his wife, Peggy of Huntington, Indiana, Michael Speciale and his wife, Cynthia of St. Peters, MO, Christopher Speciale of St. Charles, MO, Debra and her husband, Raymond Moeller of Hawk Point, MO, Victoria (Speciale) Rasmussen of Troy, New York, her grandchildren: Amanda Speciale, Christiana Rasmussen, James Speciale, Kiriana Speciale, Lilli Speciale, Misty Raich, Shasta Jones, Eric McNeil, Kelly Cocklin, Michelle Jackson, Staci Wilkinson, Aaron McCool, Joshua McCool, Jared McCool and many great-grandchildren, brothers: Raymond Busby of Florida, Homer Busby of Arkansas, Farrell Busby of Florida, sisters: Ruth Tinker of Perryville, MO, and Geneva Carroll of Affton, MO, as well as many, many other relatives and friends.
"Maxine is preceded in death by, her parents: Daniel and Cora Busby, her son, Darrell McCool, her great-grandson, Sage Timothy Cocklin, brothers: James Busby, and Norman Busby." ~ McCoy-Blossom Funeral Homes