Dave & Kitty Collingsworth
Hometown: Southwest City, Mo. Both Kitty and Dave were born and raised in McDonald County, Mo. Kitty hails from Noel, Mo. and Dave from Southwest City.
In Town: Dave and Kitty have owned Dave’s Supermarket and Clothing in Southwest City, Mo., for 35 years. Historically, the community, which sits right on the border of Oklahoma and Arkansas, served as the rough and tumble jumping off spot for the Oklahoma land rush.
After graduating college, Dave bought the store from the Nichols’ brothers who sold farm supplies for more than 75 years. Today the store is the source of groceries, fencing supplies, custom cut meats, western wear, western accessories, cowboy boots for work or show, home décor and fresh cut flowers.
In the Country: The couple has lived outside of Southwest City, Mo., since their marriage 30 plus years ago on a farm Dave bought from his father.
Kitty grew up pitching small bales of hay and showing cattle along with her sister, Terry. Dave also began working at a young age, catching loose chickens for $1 per coop at the local chicken processing plant. When Dave and Kitty married, he owned chicken houses and she brought some of her own cows. After 30 years raising chickens and cattle, they now just concentrate on cattle. They raise a mix of commercial cows in their cow/calf operation and grow all their hay on their 300-acre farm. Their goal is to improve the quality of their grass and cattle.
Future: The Collingsworths hope to retire to the farm full-time and work towards the goal of having all its facilities in good condition so they can just enjoy their cattle and each other. Their desire for the store is to find a young couple who will provide old fashion customer service and love their neighbors as much as they do.
