Naomi Florida Deffenbaugh

Naomi Florida Deffenbaugh, 101, of Springfield, MO, died on Saturday, November 19, 2022, at Copper Rock Village in Rogersville, MO. She was born on October 6, 1921, in Lebanon, MO, to Jack and Eula Bessie Griffin Hoskins. She completed high school at the Morgan County, Missouri schools. On November 29, 1941, eight days before the bombing at Pearl Harbor, she married Gene Dale Deffenbaugh. Gene died in November of 2020, less than a week before their 79th anniversary. Naomi and Gene were members of Assembly of God churches in Versailles and Eldon and later, of Central Assembly of God in Springfield. Naomi’s defining trait was a willingness to work hard, whether that was beside Gene in one of their businesses or at home, caring for her family. During the war, she and Gene both were employed at a shoe factory in Jefferson City. They then moved to and worked in Modesto, CA, before buying a farm near Versailles and returning there. When they owned Deffenbaugh Oil Company in Eldon and later Deffenbaugh Motors in El Dorado Springs, Naomi assisted with keeping the books. Their next enterprise was the 71 Motel in Nevada, where Naomi worked long hours as the primary housekeeper. When they relocated to Republic, Gene sold cars and ran their gas station while Naomi supervised their Little York Pottery Shop. She enjoyed selecting the pottery, fountains, and statuary and generously shared them with her daughters-in-law and other relatives. Finally, they moved to Springfield, where Gene sold used cars, and they renovated and sold several houses. Always partners, Naomi and Gene would divide the work of cleaning and sprucing up the houses, and they’d drive “all over” to pick up a car he‘d bought. Naomi relished living in Springfield, especially for shopping, but also for going to the nearby orchards for fruit. In addition to working, Naomi would welcome into her home a young couple or elderly relative who needed a place to stay. Nevertheless, her focus and efforts were always on the three sons who mourn her loss: Dr. Larry Deffenbaugh and his wife Elizabeth, of Carthage; Gary Deffenbaugh and his wife Dr. Carolyn Deffenbaugh, of Lohman; and David Deffenbaugh and his wife Kim, of Springfield. She is also survived by six grandchildren: Christopher (Meghan) Deffenbaugh, Michelle (Glenn) Jett, Shawn Deffenbaugh (Dr. Sara Deffenbaugh), Melissa Deffenbaugh, Laura (Justin) Klock, and Marissa (Austin) Pendergrass. Naomi’s long life blessed her with the opportunity to meet and enjoy eleven great-grandchildren. She is also survived by a sister-in-law, Leanna Hoskins, a brother-in-law, Basil Kidwell, and three nieces and two nephews. Naomi was preceded in death by her beloved husband Gene, as well as her parents; a brother, Lloyd Hoskins; a nephew, Steve Hoskins; and several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Maurine and Charles Davenport, June Kidwell, and Glenn and Vera Deffenbaugh. Graveside services and interment will be at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 27, 2022, at Greenmore Memorial Gardens in Barnett. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or to Greenmore Memorial Gardens, 22138 Hwy. 52, Barnett, MO, 65011-3606. Funeral arrangements are under the direction and care of the Kidwell-Garber Funeral Home in Versailles.

Naomi Florida Deffenbaugh

October 6, 1921 - November 19, 2022

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Naomi Florida Deffenbaugh

October 6, 1921 - November 19, 2022

About Us

What We Do

Contact KG/Locations

Grief & Healing

Plan Ahead

Obituaries

Resources

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