Edward Dewitt (Rebbie) Kouma

Edward DeWitt (Rebbie) Kouma, Buffalo, Missouri was born September 16, 1955 to Edward (Reb) and Martha (Ricks) Kouma, in Hemet, California, and passed away October 1, 2020 peacefully in his home, Buffalo, Missouri, with family at his side. Rebbie was a wonderful husband, loving father, enthusiastic grandfather and great friend. He spent many years in the construction business while living in California, enjoyed being a machine line engineer while living in Wisconsin and Illinois, and finally finding true happiness behind the wheel of a semi-truck in Missouri. Rebbie eventually moved on into driving dump trucks. Working with asphalt, in the blazing heat was not a problem for Rebbie. He loved the work, the people, and his CB handle, “Special Ed”. Rebbie’s first and only true love was Dawn Mae (McKenzie) Kouma, his loving and supportive wife of nineteen years. The two met through mutual friends, on a blind date on May 6, 1989 and never parted from that day forward. They committed themselves to one another on July 1, 2001 in Durant, Illinois, Winnebago County, in the Sugar River Forest Preserve. Rebbie enjoyed family gatherings, fishing, motorcycle riding, bowling, Nascar, auto mechanics and basically anything that required him to get up and move around. He was an early to bed, early to rise kind of man. Liked a tight schedule and being on time was important to him. This proved to problematic with Dawn at his side, however, as she was continually late for everything. He also attended Good Tidings Fellowship, Buffalo, Missouri, where he reconnected with the Lord and was saved. Rebbie had two children from a previous relationship, Matthew Hicks, and Joshua Kouma. Both men were loved by their father and he enjoyed hearing about their accomplishments in life. He also had three sons acquired in the marriage with Dawn, Justin Barber, Shawn Riggins, and Edward (Byrd) Kouma. These young men were the apple of his eye. He raised them all with the same love and same discipline, ensuring that they would grow to be fine men. He reached his objective with them; they did in fact grow up to be men of which he was so immensely proud. Rebbie also had two daughters inherited in the marriage, Meagan (Cooley) Park and Amanda (Cooley) Smith. He loved them very much as well. Edward was preceded in death by his parents, Edward (Reb) and Martha (Ricks) Kouma, one brother, Mark Kouma, a step-daughter, Amber McKenzie, and a grandson, Edward (Byrdie) Kouma. He is survived by His wife, Dawn Kouma of the home; five sons, Matthew & wife Christina Hicks of Humansville, Missouri, Joshua & wife Ashley Kouma of San Diego, California, Justin & wife, Ashley Barber of Springfield, Missouri, Shawn & wife, Kaylea Riggins of Republic, Missouri, Edward (Byrd) Kouma & fiancé, Becca Kibby; two daughters, Meagan & husband David Park of Republic, Missouri, Amanda Smith of Springfield, Missouri: 25 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. Cremation rites are being accorded by the Cantlon-Otterness & Viets Funeral Home of Buffalo, Missouri

Edward Dewitt (Rebbie) Kouma

September 16, 1955 - October 1, 2020