Obituaries from January 2002

SIKESTON - Brittany M. Gates, 12, died Jan. 1, 2002, in an automobile accident near Sikeston. Arrangements are incomplete at Nunnelee Funeral Chapel.

DEXTER - Berniece Virginia Edwards, 80, died Jan. 1, 2002, at the Three Rivers Healthcare at Poplar Bluff. Born April 27, 1920, at Alton to the late Henry Barnes and June Parrott Barnes, she attended the Second General Baptist Church in Dexter and was a former nurse at the Comeau Convalescent Home in Dexter...

SCOTT CITY - M.L. "Jack" Haney, 74, died at 10:55 p.m. Dec. 30, 2001, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. Born March 1, 1927, at Plant City, Fla., to the late Elvirdia Ditto and Virgil Lee Haney, he retired in 1980 as an engineer with the Burlington-Northern Railroad and was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II...

CHARLESTON - William Dorsey Maclay, 71, died at 10:55 a.m. Dec. 31, 2001, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Born July 26, 1930, in Olympia, Wash., he was the son of the late Robert Dorsey and Mary Claire Weaver Maclay, who resided in Eugene, Ore.; and grandson of the late Mr. and Mrs. Henry Berry Maclay who resided in Berkeley, Calif., and Judge and Mrs. Philip L. Weaver, who resided in Maui, Hawaii...

KELSO - Cornetta R. Seyer, 91, died Jan. 1, 2002, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Scott City is in charge of arrangements which are incomplete.

SIKESTON - Evelyn K. Orman, 41, died Jan. 1, 2002, in an automobile accident near Sikeston. Arrangements are incomplete at Nunnelee Funeral Chapel.

KELSO - Rosalia Mary Enderle, 96, died at 11:20 p.m. Dec. 31, 2001, at the St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Born Jan. 12, 1905, in Kelso to the late Joseph and Caroline Heisserer Schaefer, she was employed by A.C. Spark Plug Factory. A member of the St. Augustine Catholic Church at Kelso, she was a member of the St. Ann's Sodality at the church and the Senior Citizens of Kelso...

CHARLESTON - William Dorsey Maclay, 71, died at 10:55 a.m. Dec. 31, 2001, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Born July 26, 1930, in Olympia, Wash., he was the son of the late Robert Dorsey and Mary Claire Weaver Maclay, who resided in Eugene, Ore.; and grandson of the late Mr. and Mrs. Henry Berry Maclay who resided in Berkeley, Calif., and Judge and Mrs. Philip L. Weaver, who resided in Maui, Hawaii...

WARREN, Mich. - William F. "Bill" Burnes, 86, formerly of Mississippi County, Mo., died at 1:40 a.m. Dec. 29, 2001, at the St. John-Macomb Hospital in Warren. Born Feb. 19, 1915, in Obion, Tenn., son of the late James F. and Betty Jane Hite Burnes, he was a retired machinist in the automotive industry and was a veteran of World War II...

FISK - Juanita South, 75, died Jan. 1, 2002, at Fountainbleau Lodge in Cape Girardeau. Born Sept. 24, 1926, at Commerce, she was the daughter of the late Clarence and Viola Riggs Stuckey. On Jan. 18, 1947, at Corinth, Miss., she married William South who survives of the home...

SIKESTON - Brittany Michelle Gates, 12, died at 6:13 p.m. Jan. 1, 2002, from injuries sustained in an automobile accident near Sikeston. Born Dec. 28, 1989, in Poplar Bluff, she was the daughter of James Walter and Jessica Eileen Tidwell Gates. A sixth grade student at Scott County Central Elementary School, she was a member of the Sixth Grade Band...

GRAY SUMMIT - Helen Elizabeth Bandermann, 76, died Dec. 27, 2001. Born April 22, 1925, in Copeland, Kan., daughter of the late Edward Henry and Frances Henrietta Lemm Wallace, she attended the First Assembly of God Church in Gray Summit. She attended the Gray Summit Methodist Church for many years, where she served as the church pianist and organist, and also taught piano to students...

ESSEX - James D. "Jimmy" Smith, 47, died Dec. 31, 2001 at his home. Born June 29, 1954, in Parma, son of the late Burl and Maude Maye Davis Smith, he lived in the Dexter and Essex communities all his life and was a member of the Assembly of God Church in Dexter. He was a U.S. Navy veteran...

SIKESTON - Judy Myers, 49, died at 5:29 a.m. Jan. 3, 2001, at Missouri Delta Medical Center. Arrangements are incomplete at Nunnelee Funeral Chapel.

SIKESTON - Evelyn Kay Orman, 41, died at 6:13 p.m. Jan. 1, 2002, from injuries sustained in an automobile accident near Sikeston. Born Aug. 9, 1960, in St. Augustine, Fla., daughter of Shirley Lester Tidwell of Sikeston and the late Evis Christine Ergle Tidwell, she was a self-employed daycare sitter and member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints...

KELSO - Cornetta R. Seyer, 91, died at 2:25 p.m. Jan. 1, 2002, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Born May 9, 1910, in Kelso, daughter of the late William Theodore and Emma Bertha Goetz Leible, she was a member of St. Augustine Catholic Church and St. Ann's Sodality. She was also a member and past president of the Kelso Senior Citizens...

SIKESTON - Herman H. Smith, 89, died at 1:20 p.m. Jan. 2, 2002, at the Sikeston Convalescent Center. Born Nov. 22, 1912, at Clinton, Ark., son of the late Ed and Bertha Bradley Smith, he was a retired landowner, cattleman and farmer. His wife, Jimmie L. Barnes Smith, survives of the home...

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. - Curtis Howard, 47, died Jan. 2, 2002, of injuries sustained in a hit and run accident in Bloomington. Born July 27, 1954, in Charleston, Mo., son of the late John Henry and Mozella White Howard, he attended Charleston High School...

LILBOURN - Betty Jewell Truelove, 69, died at 9:17 p.m. Jan. 3, 2002, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. Born June 20, 1932, at LaForge, daughter of the late Ernest and Louella Boyett Lee, she was of the Baptist belief. Survivors include: one son, Larry Truelove of Lilbourn; one daughter, Debbie Baldwin of Lilbourn; one brother, Elmer Lee of Sikeston; two sisters, Mary Brown and Maxine Hicks of Sikeston; and three grandchildren and one great-grandchild...

DEXTER - Pallbearers at services conducted Thursday at Watkins and Sons Funeral Home for James "Jimmy" Smith, 47, who died Dec. 31, 2001, were: Timothy Smith, Chad Smith, Ray Smith, Brian Smith, Jaime Smith and Arthur Boles.

CHARLESTON - Willie Gray McMillen, 85, died at 6:50 a.m. Jan. 4, 2002, at his home. Arrangements are incomplete at McMikle Funeral Home.

PORTAGEVILLE - Lizzie Young, 81, died Jan. 4, 2002, at her home. Arrangements are incomplete at DeLisle Funeral Home.

BLOOMFIELD - Blanche Gertie Cooper, 86, died Jan. 3, 2002, at her home. Born June 26, 1915, at Ardeola, daughter of the late Sam and Gertie Summers Mason, she was a member of the First Assembly of God Church in Bloomfield. On Feb. 26, 1936, she married Raymond Cooper who preceded her in death...

JACKSON - Ola Bernice Hastings, 86, formerly of Sikeston, died Jan. 2, 2002, at the Monticello House in Jackson. Born April 27, 1915, in Jerusalem, Ark., daughter of the late Lee Andrew and Emma Mae Taylor Roper, she was a member of Shady Acres Church of Christ in Sikeston. She lived in Sikeston for many years before moving to Jackson in September 2001...

SIKESTON - Otto Wayman Pratt, 81, died at 3:15 p.m. Jan. 3, 2002, at the Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau. Born July 20, 1920, in Sikeston, son of the late Harry O. and Addie Barnes Pratt Sr., he graduated from Sikeston High School and attended the Cape Teachers College in Cape Girardeau. ...

SIKESTON - Ivan "Semo" Morris, 41, died Jan. 1, 2002, at Missouri Delta Medical Center. Born April 23, 1960, in Malden, son of Essie B. Steward of Sikeston and the late Josh Morris, he graduated in 1978 from Sikeston Public Schools and attended Sanford-Brown College in St. Louis...

JACKSON - Vera Seabaugh Wagner, 88, died Jan. 6, 2002, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. Born Nov. 20, 1913, daughter of the late Loy and Ester Morton Seabaugh, she was a graduate of Jackson High School and served in the U.S. Waves Medical Corps during World War II, stationed for two years in New Orleans. She graduated in 1940 with a bachelor of science degree in education from Southeast Missouri State University and had taught English and art in Jackson and Jefferson City...

LILBOURN - Pallbearers at services conducted at 2 p.m. today at Nunnelee Funeral Chapel for Betty Jewell Truelove, 69, who died Jan. 3, 2002, will be: Charles Lee, Mike Hicks, Scott Riley, Ronnie Simmons, Richard Henry and William Lewis.

SIKESTON - Pallbearers at services conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday at Nunnelee Funeral Chapel for Evelyn Kay Orman, 41, who died Jan. 1, 2002, were: Jonathan Tidwell, Russell Johnson, Anthony Gates, Dossy Nancy Jr., Terry Johnson and Curtis Cureton Jr...

SIKESTON - Pallbearers at services conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday at Nunnelee Funeral Chapel for Brittany Michelle Gates, 12, who died Jan. 1, 2002, were: Rob Howard, Randy Gaines, Jeremy Moore, Chris Gates, James Pulliam and Berren Clark. Billy Garner of the Bethany Baptist Church in Cape Girardeau assisted the Rev. Robert Burnes of the House of Prayer General Baptist Church...

PORTAGEVILLE - Shirley Ann Yeary, 63, died Jan. 5, 2002, at her home. She was born Nov. 25, 1938, at Gideon, daughter of the late Jack and Ruby Mae White Hurt. On April 1, 1959, she married Clyde Reo Yeary who survives of the home. Other survivors include: one brother, Cyril Lynn Wagner of Loceport, Ill.; several nieces and nephews; and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren...

DEXTER - Eloise Trammell, 75, died Jan. 4, 2002, at the home of her son in Columbia. Born Jan. 25, 1926, at Dexter, daughter of the late Vick A. and Iona Smith Hill, she attended the First Baptist Church in Dexter and was a former science teacher in the Dexter Public School System...

PORTAGEVILLE - Lizzie Young, 81, died Jan. 4, 2002, at her home. Born Feb. 13, 1920, in Tipper, Miss., she was the daughter of the late Joe and Mary DeCander Wallace. On March 21, 1967, in Ripley, Miss., she married Troy Young who survives of the home...

CHARLESTON - Willie Gray McMillen, 85, died at 6:50 a.m. Jan. 4, 2002, at his home near Charleston. Born Jan. 8, 1916, at Murray, Ky., son of the late Maxie Thomas and Maggie Stagner McMillen, he was a lifelong resident of the Charleston area. A U.S. Army veteran of World War II, he was of the Baptist belief...

CHARLESTON - Donald DeLine, 89, died at 8:30 a.m. Jan. 4, 2002, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Born Aug. 1, 1912, at Charleston, son of the late Charles L. and Lilly Elizabeth Millard DeLine, he was a retired farmer and landowner. He had been a member of the First Baptist Church in Charleston since 1927 and had served as church deacon for many years. ...

BERTRAND - Dellia L. Baker, 85, died at 11:45 a.m. Jan. 5, 2002, at her home. Born Sept. 19, 1916, at Leonard, Ark., daughter of the late William E. and Jannie King Guthrie, she lived in Grand Rapids, Mich., for many years where she was employed with the Furniture City Upholstery Company and Kindle Furniture Company before retiring in 1977. She move...

SIKESTON - Bessie B. Johnson, 88, died at 8:45 p.m. Jan. 6, 2002, at Missouri Delta Medical Center. Arrangements are incomplete at Nunnelee Funeral Chapel, where visitation is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday evening and services on Wednesday.

MURPHYSBORO, Ill. - Faye Rene Mills, 98, died at 1:26 p.m. Dec. 25, 2001, at her daughter's home in Murphysboro following a short illness. Born April 10, 1903, daughter of the late Elmer West Landess and Edna Belle Boxell Landess, she married William Leon Mills of Malden on Nov. 15, 1925. He preceded her in death on Jan. 18, 1949...

SIKESTON - Harold J. Warren, 44, died Jan. 6, 2002, at Missouri Delta Medical Center. Arrangements are incomplete at Nunnelee Funeral Chapel.

SIKESTON - Judy Catherine Myers, 49, died at 5:29 a.m. Jan. 3, 2002, at Missouri Delta Medical Center. Born Feb. 9, 1952, in Wilson, Ark., daughter of the late William Howard and Bessie James Gabriel Looney, she was a nurses aide at Missouri Delta Medical Center for 10 years...

CHARLESTON - Marie Bryant Morrow, 88, died at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 6, 2002, at the Bertrand Nursing Facility. Born Feb. 21, 1913, in Blodgett, daughter of the late William and Dora L. Myers, she lived in Scott and Mississippi counties her entire life and was a member of the First Baptist Church in Charleston. She had been employed as a floor lady for the International Shoe Company in Sikeston...

BLOOMFIELD - Melvin "Churn" Williams, 79, died Jan. 6, 2002. Born Sept. 16, 1922, son of the late Frank and Leecy Bolin Williams, he was a lifelong resident of Bloomfield and was a 1942 graduate of Bloomfield High School. He was self-employed for many years and served as a juvenile officer for 16 years...

SIKESTON - Eva Crowell, 93, died Jan. 5, 2002, at the Clearview Nursing Center. Born Jan. 11, 1908, in Marcola, Ore., daughter of the late Frank and Ann Starks, she was a member of the First Baptist Church in Sikeston. Her husband, Walter N. "Boyd" Crowell, preceded her in death on April 7, 1985...

EAST PRAIRIE - Dorothy Mae Young, 82, died at 9:05 a.m. Jan. 6, 2002, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Born Aug. 19, 1919, in Piggott, Ark., daughter of the late Franklin Marion and Cody Thurman Stewart, she lived in Mississippi County most of her life and attended the First Christian Church in East Prairie...

PUXICO - Barry Scott, 60, died Jan. 5, 2002, at Three Rivers Healthcare North in Poplar Bluff. Born July 9, 1941, in Poplar Bluff, son of Alvin and Mildred Smith Scott of Puxico, he lived in the Puxico area all his life. A 1959 graduate of Puxico High School, he attended Missouri University in Columbia from 1960-62 and attended the Leora Baptist Church. He was a roofing contractor and owned and operated Com-Serv Incorporated in Puxico...

SCOTT CITY - Evelyn Fordyce, 70, died Jan. 7, 2002, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau. Arrangements are incomplete at Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Scott City.

SIKESTON - Bessie B. Johnson, 88, died at 8:45 p.m. Jan. 6, 2002, at Missouri Delta Medical Center. Born Dec. 31, 1913, at Sikeston, daughter of the late Clarence and Edith Schaffer Curtner, she was a homemaker. She had been a member of the Old Bethel Baptist Church since 1940...

MALDEN - A.E. "Tuff" Sturgeon, 86, died Jan. 6, 2002, at his home. Born Sept. 8, 1915, in Zalma, son of the late Howard Isaac and Clara Lacy Sturgeon, he was of the General Baptist belief. A retired farmer and landowner, he was a member of Four Mile Masonic Lodge 212 in Campbell and former trustee and ex-officio treasurer for Cottonhill Township...

LOMPOC, Calif. - Robert William Foster, 84, died Jan. 5, 2002, in Santa Maria. Born Feb. 1, 1917, in Morley, Mo., he built his first cotton gin at age 18. In 1958, he relocated with his family to Solvang, where he managed the Santa Ynez Valley Grin Mill...

SIKESTON - Harold Junior Warren, 44, died at 1:38 p.m. Jan. 6, 2002, at Missouri Delta Medical Center. Born Sept. 12, 1957, at Sikeston, son of Harold and Teresa Wells Warren of Sikeston, he was a self-employed mechanic and of the Baptist belief. On Nov. 19, 1983, in Charleston, he married Gaila Kirk who survives of the home...

SCOTT CITY - Evelyn B. Fordyce, 70, died at 6:50 a.m. Jan. 7, 2002, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau. Born Feb. 28, 1931, in Fredericktown, daughter of the late Jessie and Mattie Buchanan Faircloth, she was a homemaker and a member of the Illmo Baptist Church in Scott City...

SIKESTON - Ferrell A. Gossett, 90, died at 6:50 p.m. Jan. 7, 2001, at Clearview Nursing Center. Arrangements are incomplete at Blanchard Funeral Chapel.

BERTRAND - Pallbearers at services to be conducted at 1 p.m. Wednesday at McMikle Funeral Home in Charleston for Dellia L. Baker, 85, who died Jan. 5, 2002, will be: Charles McKinley, Billy Joe Wilkerson, David Hurley, Michael Hurley, Gary Harper and Randy Harper...

SIKESTON - Daryl L. Taylor, 30, died Dec. 16, 2001, at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. Born April 30, 1971, at Seattle, Wash., he was the son of R.D. Taylor Jr. of Sacramento, Calif. and Alberta McMurtry of Sikeston. Survivors include: three brothers, Darin Taylor of Sikeston, J. ...

SIKESTON - Ferrell A. Gossett, 90, died at 6:50 p.m. Jan. 7, 2002, at the Clearview Nursing Center. Born Nov. 16, 1911, in Hartman, Ark., daughter of the late Frank and Minnie Hardin Bennett, she was a member of the New Bethel Primitive Baptist Church and lived in Crowder for 25 years before moving to Sikeston in 1958...

MATTHEWS - Ottis Wiley Howard, 80, died Jan. 8, 2002, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Born Aug. 1, 1921, at Lexon to the late Clarence and Bertha Howard, he was a farmer. A veteran of World War II, serving with the U.S. Army, he was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars at Morley...

PARK RIDGE, Ill. - Mildred C. LaFond died Jan. 7, 2002, at the Summit Square. She was a long-time resident of Park Ridge. She was married to Armand L. LaFond Sr., who preceded her in death. Survivors include one daughter and son-in-law, Mary Ann and Ted Colgan of Seattle, Wash.; one son and daughter-in-law, Armand L. "Bud" and Marilyn LaFond of Chicago, Ill.; one niece, Kathleen Pelczynski of Sikeston, Mo.; and 13 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild...

PUXICO - Pallbearers at services conducted Tuesday at Watkins and Sons Funeral Home for Barry Scott, 60, who died Jan. 5, 2002, were: Rick Little, Jim Baugher, Gary Clinton, Rob Taylor, David Scott and Todd Alsup. Honorary pallbearers were: Joe Sherfield, Alan Andrews and Dale Taylor...

SIKESTON - Glenna W. Cline, 57, died Jan. 9, 2002, at Missouri Delta Medical Center. Born Feb. 27, 1944, in Portageville, daughter of the late Charles William and Tennie Tate Houchins, she attended the First Church of the Nazarene for many years. On May 28, 1960, she married Harold Vernon Cline who survives of the home...

NEW MADRID - Willie Lee Roberts, 80, died Jan. 8, 2002, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Born Feb. 2, 1921, near Jaywye in New Madrid County, son of the late Bill and Dema Wells Roberts, he was a carpenter in the New Madrid area and U.S. Army veteran of World War II...

LILBOURN - Catherine Campbell, 90, died Jan. 9, 2002, at her home. Born April 4, 1911, in Dyersburg, Tenn., daughter of the late James Radna Hamlin Jr. and Rosa Lee Hopkins, she was a member of the First Baptist Church in Lilbourn. She was first married Andrew L. Puckett who preceded her in death in 1949...

ELSBERRY - Ralph Phillips, 72, died Jan. 8, 2002, at the Florida Hospital Heartland in Sebring, Fla. Born July 7, 1929, in East Prairie, Mo., son of the late William Lottie and Ida Mae Black Phillips, he was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War. He owned and operated Phillips Electric in Elsberry for many years before his retirement. A member of American Legion Post 226 in Elsberry, he was also a member of New Hope Baptist Church near Elsberry...

CAIRO, Ill. - Madhuben Patel, 62, died Jan. 9, 2002, at the Beverly Health and Rehabilitation Center in New Madrid, Mo. Born Nov. 4, 1939, in India, she was the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Somabhai Patel. Her husband, Mohan M. Patel, survives of Cairo...

OXFORD, Miss. - Doris Lester, 78, formerly of Portageville, Mo., died Jan. 9, 2002, at the Hermitage Garden in Oxford. Arrangements are incomplete at DeLisle Funeral Home in Portageville.

PORTAGEVILLE - Pearline Robinson, 80, died Jan. 9, 2002, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Arrangements are incomplete at DeLisle Funeral Home.

SCOTT CITY - Wilma Lee Middleton, 55, died Jan. 8, 2002, in Miner. Born Oct. 21, 1946, in Dexter, daughter of Willene Kimbrel Clark of Dexter and the late J.L. Simpson Jr., she attended Bloomfield High School and was a former hairdresser in Bloomfield and Dexter. She was a member of Father's Arms Fellowship in Scott City...

CHARLESTON - The Rev. Paul Faris, 75, died at noon Jan. 9, 2002, at his home. Born Oct. 31, 1926, in Franklin, Ark., son of the late H.B. and Winnie J. Tadlock Faris, he was ordained into the ministry in 1954. He lived in Charleston since 1962, where he served as pastor of Trinity Pentecostal Church for 35 years...

SIKESTON - Larry Gene Ditto, 54, formerly of East Prairie, died Jan. 9, 2002, at his home. Born July 18, 1947, in East Prairie, son of the late Charles Lee and Helen Marie Cummins Ditto, he was employed by DeWitt Fabricating and moved to Sikeston from East Prairie three years ago. He was a U.S. Army veteran, serving in the Vietnam Conflict...

SIKESTON - Lottie R. Brooksher, 81, died at 9:55 p.m. Jan. 10, 2002, at Missouri Delta Medical Center. Born Oct. 20, 1920, in Appleton, Ark., daughter of the late John and Tiny Lathum Sanders, she was a member of the Morehouse Assembly of God Church...

BLOOMFIELD - Anna Mae Sanders, 59, died Jan. 9, 2002, in Delta of injuries sustained in an automobile accident. Born May 5, 1942, in Fisk, where she was a resident most of her life, she was a merchandiser for American Greeting Cards and was formerly a homemaker for the Butler County Health Department...

SIKESTON - Glenna W. Cline, 57, died Jan. 9, 2002, at Missouri Delta Medical Center. Born Feb. 27, 1944, in Portageville, daughter of Tennie Tate Houchins of Bloomfield and the late Charles William Houchins, she attended the First Church of the Nazarene for many years...

PORTAGEVILLE - Pearline Robinson, 80, died Jan. 9, 2002, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Born Dec. 28, 1921, in Hayti, she was the daughter of the late Robert A. and Beulah Cox Hughes. On Oct. 10, 1942, in Portageville, she married Amon Robinson who preceded her in death on June 3, 1963...

COLLIERVILLE, Tenn. - Gerald "Jerry" Avery, 56, formerly of New Madrid, Mo., died Jan. 9, 2002, at the St. Francis Hospital in Memphis. The son of the late Arline and Lady Avery was a former officer with the Memphis Police Department and retired from the Air National Guard. He was a member of the Central Church of Memphis...

SIKESTON - Thedamay Kitchen Cleek, a longtime resident of Sikeston, died Jan. 10, 2002, at the Sikeston Convalescent Center. Born Feb. 14, 1916, in Puxico, she was the first of six children born to Viola and Eldon Kitchen. Mrs. Cleek was a 55-year member of the First United Methodist Church in Sikeston and member of Kings Highway Daughters of the American Revolution and Beta Sigma Phi sorority. ...

SIKESTON - Mary Helen Jones, 93, died Jan. 11, 2002, at her home. Born June 23, 1908, daughter of the late George and Eva Mae Lile Sr., she was affiliated with the Sikeston Community Baptist Church, where she was a member of the ladies Sunday school class...

PORTAGEVILLE - Doris Lester, 80, died Jan. 9, 2002, at Hermitage Garden in Oxford, Miss. Born June 20, 1921, in Dunklin, Okla., daughter of the late Walter H. and Cleo Faust Mullins, she was a member of the First United Methodist Church. On Jan. 7, 1940, in Charleston, she married Elza Lester who survives of the home...

PORTAGEVILLE - Wilma Cook died Jan. 12, 2002, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Arrangements are incomplete at DeLisle Funeral Home.

DEXTER - Russell Dodd, 92, died Jan. 12, 2002, at Three Rivers Healthcare North Campus in Poplar Bluff. Arrangements are incomplete at Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter.

DEXTER - Barney Miller, 81, died Jan. 11, 2001, at his home. Born July 14, 1920, at Lutesville, son of the late Robert Emmett and Elizabeth Trotter Miller, he was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Dexter. The former owner and publisher of the Daily Statesman in Dexter was a member of the Missouri Press Association, past president of the Southeast Missouri Press Association and a 1998 inductee to the Missouri Newspaper Hall of Fame. ...

PORTAGEVILLE - Odell Mann, 83, died Jan. 9, 2002, at the Gideon Care Center. Born Nov. 5, 1918, in Alabama, she was the daughter of the late Henry and Emma Williams Franks. Her husband, Charles Hartley Mann, preceded her in death. Survivors include: one daughter, Peggy Carlisle of Portageville; four sons, Waymon Mann of Jasper, Ala., Jackie Mann of Winfield, Ala., Roger Mann of Nauvoo, Ala., and Bruce Mann of Gulf Breeze, Ala.; and 14 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.. ...

DEXTER - Helen Phillips, 73, died Jan. 11, 2002, at Southern Missouri Healthcare. Arrangements are incomplete at Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter.

EAST PRAIRIE - Maloy W. Jackson, 89, died Jan. 11, 2002, in the East Prairie Nursing Center. Born May 27, 1912, in Humphreys County, Tenn., son of the late Lewis and Meda Haley Jackson, he was a member and former deacon of the First Baptist Church in East Prairie. He owned and operated Jackson's Welding Shop in East Prairie...

NEW HAMBURG - Hattie Rebecca "Becky" Dirnberger, 92, died at 5:40 p.m. Jan. 12, 2002, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau. Born Oct. 11, 1909, in Benton, daughter of the late Robert Cooper and Amelia Steimle Brock, she was a member of the St. Lawrence Catholic Church at New Hamburg...

PORTAGEVILLE - Wilma Christine Cook, 74, died Jan. 12, 2002, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Born Dec. 25, 1927, in Marston, she was the daughter of the late Homer and Rowena Baker Nanney. On April 3, 1943, in Portageville, she married Cecil Cook who preceded her in death on Dec. 10, 1992...

DEXTER - Connie Ray Belt, 58, died Jan. 13, 2002, at the John J. Pershing Veterans Administration Medical Center in Poplar Bluff. Born Dec. 4, 1943, at Campbell, son of Wynona Belt of Campbell and the late Russell Belt, he lived in St. Louis for several years before moving to Dexter four years ago. He was a member of the American Legion and had served in the U.S. Air Force...

DEXTER - Russell L. Dodd, 92, died Jan. 12, 2002, at Three Rivers Healthcare North Campus in Poplar Bluff. Born April 1, 1909, in Dexter, son of the late John and Pauline Queffenne Dodd, he was a member of the First General Baptist Church in Dexter and retired from Elder Manufacturing...

BENTON -- Robert "Bill" Milam, 65, died Jan. 13, 2002, at the Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Arrangements are incomplete at Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Benton.

DEXTER - James Ruben Erving, 47, died Jan. 12, 2002, at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Memphis, Tenn. Arrangements are incomplete at Watkins and Sons Funeral Home.

La FORGE - Henry Fowler, 83, died Jan. 14, 2002, at the Beverly Health and Rehab Center in New Madrid. Arrangements are incomplete at Richards Funeral Home in New Madrid.

SIKESTON - Jerald Anderson "Red" LaFont, 84, died Jan. 13, 2002, at the Sikeston Convalescent Center. Born March 1, 1917, only child of the late John A. and Edith Feagans LaFont, he served in the U.S. Army during World War II and owned and operated LaFont's Grocery from 1947-1967, as well as LaFont Rental Properties until 2001. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Sikeston and the Sikeston Masonic Lodge No. 310...

SCOTT CITY - Fred Joseph "Fritz" Bles, 86, died at 8:44 p.m. Jan. 12, 2002, at the St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Born Nov. 1, 1915, in Commerce, son of the late Ambrose and Mary Theresa Hess Bles, he was a blaster with West Lake Quarry. A member of the U.S. Army during World War II, he was a member of Veterans of Foreign War Post 6407 in Scott City...

BLOOMFIELD - Helen Phillips, 73, died Jan. 11, 2002, at Missouri Southern Healthcare in Dexter. Born April 20, 1928, in Frankfort, Ill., daughter of the late Francis McCain and Beulah Strobel McCain, she was a member of Mount Pisgah Church near Bloomfield. She had been employed by Elder Manufacturing in Bloomfield and formerly owned the Hornet's Nest Restaurant in Advance...

WYATT - Dathel Hayden Rowland died Jan. 15, 2002, at her home. Arrangements are incomplete at McMikle Funeral Home in Charleston.

MORLEY - Anna Belle Williams, 83, died at 12:03 p.m. Jan. 14, 2002, at the Clearview Nursing Center in Sikeston. Born Nov. 2, 1918, in Brockett, Ark., daughter of the late Emmett Thomas and Ida Mae Sago Harris, she was a cook for Scott County Central High School and a member of the Morley Church of Christ...

SIKESTON - Peggy C. Coffer, 71, died Jan. 14, 2002, at Missouri Delta Medical Center. Born Aug. 21, 1930, to the late Chester and Pauline Kirkpatrick Childers, she was a member of the Temple Baptist Church. She was employed for Story Farms and Ainsworth Construction Co. before retiring...

NEW MADRID - Henry E. Fowler, 83, died Jan. 14, 2002, at Beverly Health and Rehab in New Madrid. Born July 5, 1918, in Lawrence County, Tenn., son of the late Will and Emma Walters Fowler, he was a farmer in the local area before retiring and member of New Madrid Masonic Lodge 429 AF&AM. He was inducted into the Southeast Missouri Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame in 2000...

BLOOMFIELD - Robert "Jiggs" McClain died Jan. 14, 2002, at his home. Arrangements are incomplete at Chiles-Cooper Funeral Home.

WYATT - George Tousky, 81, died at 9:45 p.m. Jan. 14, 2002, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Born Feb. 5, 1920, in Dardanelle, Ark., son of the late Louis and Josey Pigeon Tousky, he lived in Mississippi County most of his life. A U.S. Army veteran of World War II and the Korean War, he was of the Catholic belief...

BENTON - Robert William "Bill" Milam, 65, of Benton, Missouri, died Sunday, Jan. 13, 2002, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. He was born July 19, 1936, in Engleberg, Ark., the son of Willis and Stella Mae Holder Milam. He married Glenda Ruth Brock on Nov. 1, 1954, at Benton...

PORTAGEVILLE _ Raymond Arthur House, 77, died Jan. 15, 2002, at his home. He was born Dec. 28, 1924, in Linda, son of the late William and Elizabeth Davidson House. On Dec. 27, 1946, in Piggott, Ark., he married Betty Sue Worth, who survives of the home...

WICHITA, Kan. - Susan Taliaferro Johnson Brannock, 86, formerly of the southeast Missouri area, died Jan. 12, 2002, at her daughter's home, following a lengthy illness. Born Sept. 17, 1915, in Tahlequah, Okla., daughter of the late Eugene Lee and Mary Veronica Sullivan Johnson, she graduated from Lindenwood College for Women in St. Charles, Mo., was active in the Democratic Party and was a supporter of human rights and animal welfare...

WYATT - Hazel G. Ward, 91, died at 5:20 a.m. Jan. 15, 2002, at the Charleston Manor. Arrangements are incomplete at McMikle Funeral Home.

SIKESTON - Walter H. Young, 63, died Jan. 12, 2002, at Beverly Health and Rehab in New Madrid. Born June 5, 1938, in New Albany, Miss., son of the late James and Vema Kelso Young, he was a residential painter in the local area and served with the U.S. Navy...

WYATT - Hazel G. Barnhill Ward, 91, died at 5:20 a.m. Jan. 15, 2002, at the Charleston Manor. Born July 31, 1910, in Mississippi County, daughter of the late James L. and Maggie Roy Barnhill, she was a lifelong resident of Wyatt, where she owned and operated Ward's Grocery until her retirement. She was a member of the Wyatt United Methodist Church...

WYATT - Dathel M. Rowland, 88, died Jan. 15, 2002, at her home. Born Sept. 9, 1913, in Mississippi County, daughter of the late Robert and Minnie Pearl Sullivan Hayden, she was a lifelong resident of Mississippi County and member of the Wyatt Baptist Church...

BLOOMFIELD - Robert "Jiggs" McClain, 77, died Jan. 14, 2002, at his home. Born Aug. 28, 1924, in Bloomfield, son of the late Orville and Gertie Herrell McClain, he was a plasterer in St. Louis for 30 years and returned to Bloomfield after retiring in 1981. He attended the Baptist Church...

DEXTER - Pallbearers at services conducted Tuesday at Watkins and Sons Funeral Home for Connie Ray Belt, 58, who died Jan. 13, 2002, were: Ted Jeters, Jimmy Payne, Kenny Payne, Nolan Walker, Steve Selleck and Tom James.

SIKESTON - Richard Hagen, 43, died Jan. 15, 2002, in St. Louis. Arrangements are incomplete at Ponder Funeral Home.

WYATT - Willie Curry Jr., 63, died Jan. 12, 2002, at Forest Park Hospital in St. Louis. Born April 16, 1938, in Charleston, son of the late Willie and Ruby M. Curry, he was a lifelong resident of Mississippi County. Survivors include: one daughter and son-in-law, Ella and Jerome Buress Cassell of St. ...

BLOOMFIELD - Juldene Almond, 75, died Jan. 15, 2002, in Bloomfield. Born June 10, 1926, in Bloomfield, daughter of the late Jim and Opal Lane Long, she was a lifelong resident of Bloomfield, where she retired from Elder Manufacturing in 1985 after 37 years of service. She was of the Baptist belief...

SIKESTON - James Ruben Erving, 47, died Jan. 12, 2002, at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Memphis, Tenn. Born June 6, 1954, in Crenshaw, Miss., son of Clara Hankins of Sikeston and the late Ruben Erving, he lived in Essex before serving in the U.S. Army and moved to Sikeston in 1977. A graduate of Richland High School in Essex, he was a member of Greer's Chapel Baptist Church and received the Golden Poet Award in 1987...

HAYWOOD CITY - Lydia Harrington Dorsey, 89, died Jan. 14, 2002, at the Sikeston Convalescent Center. Born Nov. 19, 1912, in Sawnloke, Ark., daughter of the late Arthur and Sinnie Louis Jacob, she lived in Missouri for more than 60 years. She was a member of New Morning Star Baptist Church in Haywood City where she was church secretary and served on the Mother's Board...

PORTAGEVILLE - Raymond A. House died Jan. 15, 2002, after an extended illness. Born Dec. 28, 1924, in Linda, to the late William and Elizabeth Davidson House, he was a member of the First Baptist Church in Portageville. He was a U.S. Navy veteran and worked for the Missouri Department of Agriculture for 33 years, retiring in 1989. He he was involved in farming most of his life...

WAPPAPELLO - Ruth Schwab, 69, died Jan. 15, 2002, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, following a lengthy illness. Born Sept. 9, 1932, in Myrtle, Miss., she retired as a bookkeeper for the Culligan Water Company and was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church...

NEW MADRID - Pansie Marie Beaher, 84, died Jan. 16, 2002, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Born Sept. 10, 1917, in Pascola, daughter of the late Jess and Bessie Clark Tabor, she was a teachers aide for the New Madrid County R-1 School District and a volunteer teachers aide for Immaculate Conception School. She was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church and former member of St. Ann's Sodality...

DEXTER - Nila Botsch, 50, died Jan. 16, 2002, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. Arrangements are incomplete at Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter.

SPRINGFIELD - Dona Long, 89, died Jan. 16, 2002, at the Springfield Rehabilitation Healthcare Center. Arrangements are incomplete at Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Bernie.

DEXTER - Ruth Bailey, 89, died Jan. 17, 2002, at Missouri Southern Healthcare. Arrangements are incomplete at Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter.

DEXTER - Ruth Eleanor Bailey, 89, died Jan. 17, 2002, at Missouri Southern Healthcare. Born Oct. 9, 1912, at Champaign, Ill., daughter of the late Orville L. Branam and Letha Mildred Hardenbrook Branam, she was the stepdaughter of the late Susie Traverse Branam, who raised her from an early age. ...

MISSION, Texas - The Rev. F. Edward Watson, 78, died Jan. 13 2002, in Mission. Born Aug. 14, 1923, in Alliance, Ohio, son of the late James and Eva Mae Watson, he was a graduate of Alliance High School. He earned a bachelor of arts degree from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale and a bachelor of divinity degree from Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Ky. He was a Presbyterian minister for 55 years and served pastorates in Illinois, Missouri and Texas...

SIKESTON - Richard Herbert Hagen, 43, died Jan. 15, 2002, at the Jefferson Medical Center in Jefferson City. Born May 3, 1958, in Britton, S.D., son of Nita McGregor Hagen Brown of Sleepy Eye, Minn., and the late Donald Herbert Hagen, he had attended Concordia Lutheran Church and was a mechanic for Mid-South Salvage...

DEXTER - Beatrice Hagy died Jan. 17, 2002, at the Three Rivers Healthcare South Campus in Poplar Bluff. Born Feb. 16, 1925, in Poplar Bluff, daughter of the late Ernest and Nancy Jones Scott, she lived in Dudley for many years before moving to Dexter three years ago. She attended the Church of God in Dudley...

DEXTER - Nila Jeanie Hampton Botsch, 50, died Jan. 16, 2002, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. Born Nov. 22, 1951, in Poplar Bluff, daughter of the late Louie and Lavern Crabtree Hampton, she was a first grade teacher at Oak Grove Elementary School in Poplar Bluff...

SPRINGFIELD - Dona A. Long, 89, formerly of Bernie, died Jan. 16, 2002, at Springfield Rehab Healthcare. Born March 12, 1912, at Lamar, Ark., daughter of the late Ben F. and Molly Cook Harmon, she was a member of the Bernie Nazarene Church. On Dec. 14, 1935, at Hagarville, Ark., she married Ben Calvin Long who preceded her in death on Dec. 5, 1969...

BLOOMFIELD - James Fletcher Leggett III, 77, died Jan. 17, 2002, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Born Feb. 13, 1924, in Bloomfield, son of the late James Fletcher and Thelma Mosley Leggett Jr., he was a lifelong resident of the Bloomfield area. He attended Bloomfield Public Schools and played big band music throughout the country...

SIKESTON - James Willard Sexton, 93, died at 11:08 a.m. Jan. 17, 2001, at the Miner Nursing Center. Born Jan. 5, 1909, in Missouri, son of the late Alfred and Lucretia Sexton, he was a shoe cutter for the International Shoe Company. His wife, Geneva Evans Sexton, preceded him in death on June 11, 1993...

ST. LOUIS - James R. Little, formerly of Southeast Missouri, died Jan. 17, 2002, at St. Louis University Hospital. Arrangements are incomplete at Watkins and Sons Funeral Home in Dexter.

SIKESTON - Michael Daniel Garner, 16, died at 8:15 a.m. Jan. 20, 2002, at his home. Born Sept. 10, 1985, in Sikeston, son of Chris Austin Garner and Julie Kay Harp Hays of Sikeston, he was a sophomore at Sikeston Senior High School and attended Church on the Rock...

BLOOMFIELD - Bob L. Beal, 82, died Jan. 20, 2002, at Missouri Southern Healthcare in Dexter. Born Dec. 2, 1919, at Kinder, son of the late Fred and Alice Gillespie Beal, he graduated in 1939 from Bloomfield High School. He was a superintendent for Porter-Dewitt Construction Company in Poplar Bluff and for R. ...

CHARLESTON - Frances Elizabeth Daniel, 89, died at 5 a.m. Jan. 20, 2002, at her home. Born Dec. 12, 1912, in Scott County, daughter of the late Ollie F. and Clara Berns Daniel, she lived in Charleston most of her life, where she was a landowner and member of the United Methodist Church. ...

CHARLESTON - The Rev. Thomas Clifford Gargus, 76, died at 12:30 p.m. Jan. 17, 2002, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Born March 1, 1925, in Crouth, son of the late Jesse C. and Cynthia Poe Gargus, he lived in Sikeston for the past five years. ...

DUDLEY - Raymond Orr, 81, died Jan. 18, 2002, at Missouri Southern Healthcare in Dexter. Born Oct. 10, 1920, in Dudley, son of the late Nicholas Cleveland and Ida M. Majors Orr, he lived in Dudley all his life. He was a timber cutter and member of the Dudley Community Church...

BLOOMFIELD - James Fletcher Leggett III, 77, died Jan. 17, 2002, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Born Feb. 13, 1924, in Bloomfield, son of the late James Fletcher and Thelma Mosley Leggett Jr., he was a lifelong resident of the Bloomfield area. He attended Bloomfield Public Schools and played big band music throughout the country...

SIKESTON - John Leroy Marks, 63, died unexpectedly Jan. 16, 2002, at Missouri Delta Medical Center. Born march 17, 1938, in Essex, son of the late Isaiah and Joyce Maxey Marks, he was a graduate of O'Bannon High School and a U.S. Army veteran. He was of the Baptist belief...

ST. PETERS - Rick Little, 51, died Jan. 17, 2002, at St. Louis University Hospital. Born July 30, 1950, in Evening Shade, Ark., he was the son of Faye Stafford Little of St. Peters and the late Nathaniel Little. Survivors in addition to his mother include: one son, Robert Tucci of Cedar Hill; two daughters, Sonya Hardebeck of Fenton and Stacey Little of Valles Mines; three brothers, Jimmy Little of Barnhart, Buddy Little of Florissant and Dale Little of Overland; two sisters, Wanda Blankenship of Park Hills and Janie Sullivan of St. ...

DEXTER - Pallbearers at services conducted Sunday at Watkins and Sons Funeral Home for Beatrice Hagy, 76, who died Jan. 17, 2002, were: Daniel Hagy, Joe Hagy, Earl Hagy Sr., Alex Hagy, James Williamson and Ervin Williamson.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - Donald Hearnes, 91, formerly of Charleston, Mo., died Jan. 20, 2002, at Southwest Hospital in Little Rock. Born July 19, 1910, in Moline, Ill., son of the late Earl Boyd and Edna Mae Eastman Hearnes, he had been employed with the Missouri Highway Department, U.S. Corps of Engineers and Ozarks Regional Commission before retiring in 1980. He was a Southeast Missouri tennis champion and had been invited to try out for the St. Louis Cardinals...

BENTON - Leon G. Halter, 81, died Jan. 21, 2002, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau. Arrangements are incomplete at Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Benton.

SCOTT CITY - Linda Younette Pettit, 59, died at 1:55 a.m. Jan. 19, 2002, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Born Aug. 7, 1942, in Sikeston, daughter of the late James Young and Esther Marie Hilliker Holmes, she was a cook for Scott City Schools...

PUXICO - Alma M. Travers, 92, died Jan. 19, 2002, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau. Born Nov. 26, 1909, in Puxico, daughter of the late Charley C. and Rose O. Spiva Siler, she was a 1928 graduate of Puxico High School and taught in rural Puxico schools from 1929-45...

DEXTER - Pallbearers at services conducted Sunday at Watkins and Sons Funeral Home for Rick Little, 51, who died Jan. 17, 2002, were: Richard Hardebeck, Jacob Little, Wayne Blankenship, Robert Tucci, Bobby Patterson and Randy Stafford. Honorary pallbearers were: Tom Stafford and Jim Little Jr...

MORLEY - Claude L. Lovel, 80, died at 8:27 p.m. Jan. 19, 2002, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. Born June 28, 1921, in Blodgett, son of the late Arthur and Emma Wood Lovel, he was a ginner for the Vanduser Gin Company and U.S. Navy veteran of World War II. He was a member of the Freewill Baptist Church in Cape Girardeau...

FAIRBANKS, Ind. - Henrie "Smoky" Greenway, 69, formerly of Sikeston, Mo., died at 9:26 p.m. Jan. 19, 2002, in the Terre Haute Regional Hospital. Born Feb. 6, 1932, in Jerome, Ark., son of the late Jack and Agnes Murphree Greenway, he was a retired self-employed truck driver. A U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War, he was a member of the VFW Post in Morley, Mo...

CHARLESTON - Robert Hartner Byrne, 79, died at 9:30 p.m. Jan. 19, 2002, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Born July 14, 1922, in Mississippi County, son of the late Robert and Susie Hartner Byrne, he lived in Mississippi County most of his life where he was a retired farmer. He had served as a pilot with the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War and was a member of the First Baptist Church in Charleston...

SIKESTON - Ralph Edward McClellan, 80, died at 3:25 a.m. Jan. 20, 2002, at the Clearview Nursing Center. Born Nov. 13, 1921, in Sikeston, son of the late James Henry and Emma Bell Daniels McClellan, he was a salesman for the McKnight-Keaton Company in Sikeston and the M. Livingston Company in Paducah, Ky. A veteran of the U.S. Army Third Army in World War II, he was a recipient of the Purple Heart and Battle of the Bulge award. He was a member of Shady Acres Church of Christ...

ESSEX - Thomas G. Taylor, 89, died Jan. 22, 2002, at the Cypress Point Health Care in Dexter. Arrangements are incomplete at Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter.

CHARLESTON - Pallbearers at services scheduled for 11 a.m. Wednesday at McMikle Funeral Home for Donald Hearnes, 91, who died Jan. 20, 2002, will be: John Moxley, Ernest P. "Jack" Moxley, Charles Moxley, Robert E. Hearnes Jr., Richard W. Hearnes and Justin Bolick...

GRAYRIDGE - Velda Harriel, 46, died at 5:35 p.m. Jan. 21, 2002, at her home. Born Dec. 25, 1955, at Catron, daughter of Roy B. and Louise Davidson of Canalou, she was a housewife, homemaker and a member of the Morehouse Assembly of God Church. On Aug. 11, 1976, in Rome, Ga., she married Leonard "Lenny" Harriel, who survives of the home...

DEXTER - Pallbearers at services conducted Monday at Watkins and Sons Funeral Home for Raymond Orr, 81, who died Jan. 18, 2002, were: T.L. Jarrell, Dean Jarrell, Alan Reed, Jimmie Baker, Bill Abbott and Larry Meadows.

DEXTER - James H. "Frog" Young, 80, died Jan. 21, 2002, at his home in Dexter. Born Aug. 14, 1921, in Clines Island to the late Arthur and Sadie Tankersley Young, he had worked for Ford Motor Co. for 30 years before moving to Dexter 13 1/2 years ago. He was a member of the First Church of the Nazarene...

BENTON - Leon Halter, 81, died at 5:45 a.m. Jan. 21, 2002, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau. Born Jan. 1, 1921, in Benton, son of the late Charles and Emma Schlitt Halter, he was a self-employed farmer and member of St. Denis Catholic Church and the Chamber of Commerce in Benton...

GRAYRIDGE - Velda Harriel, 46, died at 5:35 p.m. Jan. 21, 2002, at her home. Born Dec. 25, 1955, at Catron, daughter of Roy B. and Louise Davidson English of Canalou, she was a member of the Morehouse Assembly of God Church. On Aug. 11, 1976, in Rome, Ga., she married Leonard "Lenny" Harriel, who survives of the home...

EAST PRAIRIE - L.T. Miller, 77, died at 7:50 p.m. Jan. 22, 2002, at the East Prairie Nursing Center. Born Oct. 17, 1924, in Ridgely, Tenn., to the late Martin Nathaniel and Lona Mae Henderson Miller, he had lived in Mississippi County most of his life. A retired cotton gin operator with the Dorena Cotton Gin, he was a retired farmer and mechanic and a member of the Dorena Baptist Church...

JACKSON - Ola Bernice Hastings, 86, formerly of Sikeston, died at 11:30 p.m. Jan. 2, 2002, at the Monticello House in Jackson. Born April 27, 1915, in Jerusalem, Ark., to the late Lee Andrew Roper and Emma Mae Taylor Roper, she moved to Jackson in September 2001 after residing in Sikeston for many years. She was a member of Shady Acres Church of Christ in Sikeston...

ESSEX - Ollie Mae Getter, 79, died Jan. 21, 2002, at the Clearview Nursing Center in Sikeston. Born April 12, 1922, at Marvel, Ark., to the late Bill and Mary Smith Jones, she had lived in Essex for the past 46 years. She was employed by Tyson Foods and was a member of the New Mount Zion Baptist Church near Essex...

CHARLESTON - Edward L. Golightly, 53, died at 12:30 p.m. Jan. 22, 2002, from injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident on Highway 80 near East Prairie. Funeral arrangements are incomplete at McMikle Funeral Home in Charleston.

CHARLESTON - Edward Lee "Eddie" Golightly, 53, died at 12:30 p.m. Jan. 22, 2002, of injuries sustained in an automobile accident. Born Dec. 5, 1948, in Charleston, son of Christine Counts Golightly Cogdill of Charleston and the late Edward A. "Pete" Golightly, he was a lifelong resident of Charleston and member of Elm Street Baptist Church. He had been employed in construction...

WYATT - Christine Brown Davidson, 83, died at 6 a.m. Jan. 24, 2002, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Born Nov. 22, 1918, in Carlisle County, Ky., daughter of the late Samuel Oscar "S.O." and Gertrude Caldwell Brown, she lived in Wyatt most of her life and was a member of the Wyatt Baptist Church. She had been employed with Renee Insurance in Cairo, Ill., and then the Scott-Huff Insurance Agency in Sikeston before retiring in 1980...

ST. LOUIS - Bonnie Houke Long, 62, died Jan. 19, 2002, at her home. Born Jan. 4, 1940, at Vanduser, daughter of the late Hosea Clayton and Ines Claire Long, she was a graduate of Vanduser High School and was employed at Laclede Gas Company in St. Louis until her retirement...

PUXICO - Edna W. Peters, 97, died Jan. 23, 2002, at the Puxico Nursing Center. Born June 11, 1904, in the Oklahoma Territory, daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Pappy Wilkerson, she lived in Missouri most of her life. She and William Peters were married in Poplar Bluff and he preceded her in death in 1977...

CLARKTON - Charlsie M. Shelton, 83, died Jan. 23, 2002, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau. Born Feb. 14, 1918, in Wooster, Ark., daughter of the late Earl and Callie Williams Bass, she was a teachers aide for 10 years for Clarkton School. She was first a member of the Oak Grove Baptist Church and then the First Baptist Church in Clarkton, where she was a member of the choir, a Sunday school teacher for more than 50 years and participated in the Black River Baptist Association...

PORTAGEVILLE - Albert Lee Weaver, 83, died Jan. 22, 2002, at the Portageville Nursing Center. Born Sept. 1, 1918, in Sikeston, son of the late Arvil Columbus and Mary Ellen Daniel Weaver, he was affiliated with the Church of Christ in Portageville. On April 16, 1942, in New Madrid, he married Edith Leora Friel who preceded him in death on Dec. 10, 1996...

DEXTER - Thomas G. Taylor, 89, died Jan. 22, 2002, at Cypress Point Health Care. Born Oct. 17, 1912, in Essex, son of the late W.R. and Mary Caroline McMullin Taylor, he was a member of the United Methodist Church in Essex. He was stationed with the U.S. Army in the Philippines during World War II and was a retired farmer...

SIKESTON - Pallbearers conducted at 10:30 a.m. today at Nunnelee Funeral Chapel for Velda Louise Harriel, 46, of Grayridge, who died Jan. 21, 2002, were: Kenny Thompson, Jeffery Terry, Bill Boyd, Darrin Knox, Jamie Harriel and Harvey Taylor. Burial followed in the Essex Cemetery...

DEXTER - Mary Jane Jameson, 72, died Jan. 22, 2002, at Missouri Southern Healthcare. Born Aug. 25, 1929, in DeSoto, daughter of the late Ed and Mildred Burton, she lived in Bernie for 40 years before moving to Dexter two years ago. She attended the Assembly of God Church in Bernie...

ARNOLD - Glenn A. Hunt, 91, formerly of Dexter, died Jan. 23, 2002, at the Woodland Manor Nursing Center in Arnold. Born Jan. 29, 1910, at Dudley, son of the late James Milton and Minerva Powell Hunt, he was a member of the Dexter Church of Christ. He was a trackman with the Missouri Pacific Railroad before retiring...

SIKESTON - Martha E. Pickett, 84, formerly of Route 1 in Matthews, died at 11:10 a.m. Jan. 24, 2002, at Sells Rest Home in Matthews. Born Feb. 13, 1917, in Mississippi County, daughter of the late Charles L. and Stella Lorena Stalling Shortz, she lived in New Madrid County most of her life and served as a chauffeur with the U.S. Army WACs during World War II...

SCOTT CITY - Silverius Francis "Spats" Menz, 86, died at 2:35 p.m. Jan. 24, 2002, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Born June 20, 1915, in Kelso, son of the late Nickolas and Mary Mirgeaux Menz, he was a self-employed bricklayer and member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and Scott City VFW Post 6407. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II...

LILBOURN - Bill Walls, 64, died Jan. 23, 2002, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Born Jan. 19, 1938, in Parma, son of Bertha Agnes Gouldman Walls of Poplar Bluff and the late Walter Lee Walls, he owned and operated Walls Car Sales near Parma. He lived in the Parma and Lilbourn areas all his life and was a U.S. Navy veteran...

DEXTER - Pallbearers at services conducted Thursday at Watkins and Sons Funeral Home for Mary Jane Jameson, 72, who died Jan. 21, 2002, were: Rian Hake, Shane Woods, Joey Jameson, Steven Thrasher, Donald Depke Jr. and Kevin Jameson.

MOREHOUSE - Terry Comstock, 55, died Jan. 25, 2002, at his home. Arrangements are incomplete at Ponder Funeral Home in Sikeston.

DEXTER - Pallbearers at services conducted Thursday at Watkins and Sons Funeral Home for James H. Young, 80, who died Jan. 21, 2002, were: John Patterson, Doug Hickson, Earl Dennis Young, Jeremiah Young, Josh Young and Steve Watkins.

CAPE GIRARDEAU - Nathan Kelly "Nate" Mathis, 43, died Jan. 23, 2002, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. Born Feb. 26, 1958, in Dexter, son of Dathel L. Graves Mathis of Sikeston and Willie F. Mathis of Lexington, Tenn., he was owner-operator and video technician of Home Entertainment Service. He was a member of Lynwood Baptist Church in Cape Girardeau...

KIRKWOOD - William "W. David" DiLeo, 59, died Jan. 24, 2002, at his home. Born Sept. 11, 1942, in St. Louis, son of Margaret Dawson DiLeo of St. Louis and the late Essie William Senatro, he graduated from Georgetown University and was a chartered financial analyst. He practiced for 25 years as a registered investment advisor in Clayton...

BLOOMFIELD - Dorothy Anna Duncan, 88, died Jan. 25, 2002, at Missouri Southern Healthcare. Born Oct. 22, 1913, at Hunterville, daughter of the late Cyrus E. and Lula Bradford Blevins, she had lived in the Hunterville and Circle City area for 62 years before moving to Bloomfield 26 years ago. She was of the Baptist belief...

BLOOMSDALE - Philomena Mary Jirik, 96, formerly of Chaffee, died at 4:15 p.m. Jan. 24, 2002, at Jefferson County Memorial Hospital in Crystal City. Born Dec. 29, 1905, in Oran, daughter of the late Louis and Frances Blattel Schramm, she was a member of St. Agnes Catholic Church of Bloomsdale and former member of St. Ambrose Catholic Church in Chaffee...

SIKESTON - Lucretia Bennett, 88, died Jan. 23, 2002, at the Sikeston Convalescent Center. Arrangements are incomplete at Blanchard Funeral Chapel.

PEORIA, Ill. - Virginia Dixon, formerly of Sikeston, Mo., died at 9 p.m. Jan. 25, 2001, at Proctor Hospital. Visitation is from, 6-8 p.m. Monday at Nunnelee Funeral Chapel in Sikeston where services are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Tuesday. .

MOREHOUSE - Terry Comstock, 55, died Jan. 25, 2002, at his home. Born Jan. 25, 1947, in Sikeston, son of the late Leo and Barbara "Betty" McDowell Comstock, he was a self-employed building contractor. In July 2001, he went to work as a commercial sales pro for Lowe's Warehouse in Sikeston and was of the Baptist belief...

DEXTER - Robert Leroy Hale, 67, died at 1 a.m. Jan. 26, 2002, at Missouri Southern Healthcare. Born Dec. 11, 1934, in Woodruff County, Ark., son of the late Duncan and Mary Myrtle Bailey, he was a retired boilermaker and was a member of the Eagles Club in Dexter...

SIKESTON - Wilford Waters, 74, died at 7:55 p.m. Jan. 25, 2002, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Born Sept. 11, 1927, at Central Ridge, Ark., son of the late George and Pearl Hill Waters, he was a farmer and of the protestant belief...

BLOOMFIELD - Lillie Mae Kem, 79, died Jan. 26, 2002, at her home. Born Aug. 13, 1922, in Canalou, daughter of the late John Rufus and Emma B. Sanders Chaney, she was a longtime resident of New Madrid County and member of the First Christian Church in Matthews...

COLUMBUS, Miss. - James W. Gardner, 93, died Jan. 26, 2002, at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle in Columbus. Born Oct. 16, 1908, in Fayette County, Ala., son of the late Moses E. "Buddy" and Apsie L. Manasco Gardner, he was a farmer in Fayette and Marion counties in Alabama before moving to Sikeston, Mo., in 1951. He also farmed and retired from the Sikeston Public Schools and lived in Columbus for the past 18 months...

CAPE GIRARDEAU - Patsy Joe Fitzgerald, 71, died Jan. 27, 2002, at the Beverly Healthcare Center in Cape Girardeau. Arrangements are incomplete at Watkins and Sons Funeral Home in Dexter.

BRUNSWICK, Ga. - David Pickett Ray, 61, formerly of Mississippi County, Mo., died Jan. 27, 2002, at his home. Arrangements are incomplete at Shelby Funeral Home in East Prairie, Mo.

DEXTER - Pallbearers at services conducted Saturday at Watkins and Sons Funeral Home for Ollie Mae Getter, 79, who died Jan, 21, 2002, were: Glen Cole, Harles Cain, Lawrence Cole, Charles Hill, Silvester Herrion and James Hampton.

WASHINGTON, Ill. - Virginia Louise Dixon, 76, died at 9 p.m. Jan. 25, 2002, at the Proctor Hospital in Peoria. Born May 10, 1925, at Mayfield, Ky., daughter of the late Charles R. and Lura B. Duty Gregory, she was a member of the Leisure Acres Golden Agers Club in Washington and was of the Baptist belief...

SIKESTON - Lucretia Bennett, 88, died at 9:10 p.m. Jan. 23, 2002, at the Sikeston Convalescent Center. Born Dec. 4, 1913, in Puxico, daughter of the late Wilfred L. and Myrtle Jane Beard Buckley, she was a member of Trinity Baptist Church. She was a member and had served as worthy matron of Sikeston Chapter 137 Order of the Eastern Star and was also a member of the Sikeston Past Matrons and Past Patrons Club...

CHAFFEE - Maggie Groves, 86, died at 3:54 a.m. Jan. 27, 2002, at her daughter's home in Zalma. Born Feb. 27, 1915, in Diehlstadt, daughter of the late Robert and Sophia Stuppy McBride, she was a member of St. Ambrose Catholic Church, the Daughters of St. Ambrose and Chaffee VFW Post 3127 Ladies Auxiliary...

CHARLESTON - William David McCormick, 95, died at 3:20 p.m. Jan. 26, 2002, at the Charleston Manor. Born Feb. 4, 1906, in Paris, Tenn., son of the late Fonzie and Mary Ann Mayhew McCormick, he lived in Charleston most of his life where he was a member of the United Methodist Church. He was also a member of the Coon Hunters Association and owned and operated McCormick's Barber Shop until his retirement...

SIKESTON - Patrick Joseph Regan Jr., 65, died Jan. 26, 2002, at the Sikeston Health Care Center. Born Feb. 24, 1936, in Central Falls, R.I., son of the late Patrick Joseph and Mable Brogan Regan Sr., he was of the Catholic belief. A U.S. Navy veteran of the Korean War, he was a service station manager before retiring...

WASHINGTON, Ill. - Virginia Louise Dixon, 76, died at 9 p.m. Jan. 25, 2002, at the Proctor Hospital in Peoria. Born May 10, 1925, at Mayfield, Ky., daughter of the late Charles W. and Lura B. Duty Gregory, she was a member of the Leisure Acres Golden Agers Club in Washington and was of the Baptist belief...

CAPE GIRARDEAU - Patsy Joe Fitzgerald, 71, formerly of Dexter, died Jan. 27, 2002, at the Beverly Healthcare Facility in Cape Girardeau. Born Aug. 9, 1930, in Parma, daughter of the late Charlie and Cora Lee Sanders Trout, she was a member of the Pentecostal Church...

SIKESTON - Pallbearers at services scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Blanchard Funeral Chapel for Lucretia Bennett, 88, who died Jan. 23, 2002, will be: Bruce Way, Jerry Aldridge, Glen Peel, Mel Cokenour, David Hay and Kevin Heuiser. Visitation is from 5 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home, where Eastern Star rites are scheduled for 7:30 p.m...

SIKESTON - Pallbearers at graveside services conducted Monday at Garden of Memories Cemetery for Wilford Waters, 74, of Morehouse, who died Jan. 25, 2002, were: Donald Waters, David Waters, Jackie Waters and Jamie Coffee. Nunnelee Funeral Chapel was in charge of arrangements...

PORTAGEVILLE - T.C. Kincy, 77, died Jan. 29, 2002, at the Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau. Arrangements are incomplete at DeLisle Funeral Home.

EAST PRAIRIE - Jean Davis, 73, died at 3:45 a.m. Jan. 29, 2002, at her home following an extended illness. Arrangements are incomplete at Shelby Funeral Home.

DEXTER - William Isom Abel, 72, died Jan. 27, 2002, at Missouri Southern Healthcare. Born Sept. 24, 1929, in Nauvoo, Ala., son of the late Annas Clifford and Annar Kellon Abel, he was a welder with Pullman Standard. Survivors include: one son, William Dale Abel of Moberly; two daughters, Gail Walker of Dexter and Linda Upton of Jackson, Miss.; one brother, James Abel of Nauvoo; three sisters, Essie Gainey, Volora Ann Boshell and Magdaline Youcum of Carbon Hill, Ala.; and six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.. ...

DELTA - Longtime Delta businessman Arthur Ray Rhodes, 62, died at 9:53 p.m. Jan. 27, 2002, at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Marion, Ill. Born Feb. 15, 1939, in Millersville, son of the late Charles J. and Esther Estes Rhodes, he owned and operated Rhodes Grocery, Semo Produce and Semo Brokerage in Delta for more than 30 years. He served with the U.S. Army missile battalion from 1956 to 1962...

CHARLESTON - Cleaster McCauley "Red" Townsend, 64, died unexpectedly Jan. 25, 2002, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Born April 9, 1937, in Matthews, daughter of the late Cornelous and Gladys Rhodes McCauley, she attended public schools in Matthews and Texas Bend and was a member of the Church of Christ in Charleston...

SIKESTON - Josie Boyd Eckles, 70, died Jan. 29, 2002, at Missouri Delta Medical Center. Born Sept. 15, 1931, in Hayti, daughter of the late Moses and Rosie Townsend Wright, she was a lifelong resident of Missouri. She attended public school in the Bell City and was a licensed daycare provider and member of St. John Baptist Church in Sikeston...

SIKESTON - Lucetria Bennett, 88, died at 9:10 p.m. Jan. 23, 2002, at the Sikeston Convalescent Center. Born Dec. 4, 1913, in Puxico, daughter of the late Wilfred L. and Myrtle Jane Beard Buckley, she was a member of Trinity Baptist Church. She was a member and had served as worthy matron of Sikeston Chapter 137 Order of the Eastern Star and was also a member of the Sikeston Past Matrons and Past Patrons Club...

SIKESTON - Robert Lynn Reynolds, 47, died Jan. 30, 2002, at his home of apparent natural causes. Arrangements are incomplete at Ponder Funeral Home.

SIKESTON - Joan Allender, 60, died at 4:45 a.m. Jan. 30, 2002, at Missouri Delta Medical Center. Arrangements are incomplete at Nunnelee Funeral Chapel.

EAST PRAIRIE - Jean Davis, 73, died at 3:45 a.m. Jan. 29, 2002, at her home. Born April 22, 1928, in East Prairie, daughter of the late Alfred and Amanda Dycus Boyd, she lived in East Prairie most of her life where she was a member of the First Christian Church...

BRUNSWICK, Ga. - David Pickett Ray, 61, formerly of Dorena, Mo., died at 7 p.m. Jan. 27, 2002, at his home. Born June 9, 1940, in Dorena, son of the late Edward and Imogene Spence Ray Jr., he had lived in Brunswick for the past 33 years, where he was a retired foreman for Concrete Products...

DEXTER - Irma Mallory Dellinger Crank, 75, died Jan. 29, 2002, at Missouri Southern Healthcare. Born Feb. 27, 1926, in Fairbury, Ill., daughter of the late Melvin and Irene Runyon Mallory, she lived in Central Illinois for many years before moving to Dexter 20 years ago...

SIKESTON - Robert Lynn Reynolds, 47, died Jan. 30, 2002, at his home. Born July 1, 1954, in Fort Leavenworth, Kan., son of Howard and Helen Birk Reynolds of Sikeston, he was a member of Concordia Lutheran Church and had worked at the Sikeston Power Station...

MOREHOUSE - Lois Burton died Jan. 30, 2002, at her daughter's home in Henderson, Tenn. Arrangements are incomplete at Watkins and Sons Funeral Home in Morehouse.

CAPE GIRARDEAU - T.C. Kincy, 77, formerly of Portageville, died Jan. 29, 2002, at the Missouri Veterans Home. Born June 14, 1924, in Portageville, he was the son of the late Jack and Inez McGraw Kincy. Survivors include: one son, Gary Kincy of Manhattan, Kan.; one daughter, Sherrie DeProw of Portageville; and six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren...

SIKESTON - Edith E. York, 83, died Jan. 30, 2002, at Sells Rest Home in Matthews. Born Oct. 16, 1918, in Bollinger County, daughter of the late Clarence A. and Ozark Jane Yount Miller, she was a member of the First Baptist Church in Sikeston. She had been a Foster Grandparent for Sikeston Public Schools and was an activity director for various Sikeston area nursing homes before retiring...

SIKESTON - Joan Allender, 60, died at 4:45 a.m. Jan. 30, 2002, at Missouri Delta Medical Center. Born Feb. 9, 1941, in Parma, daughter of Opal Smith Hamlin Maack of Sikeston and the late Thomas J. Hamlin, she had been a waitress for the Kwan Yin Restaurant and on the Robert E. Lee Restaurant at the landing in St. Louis. She moved to Sikeston in 1984 and had worked for the Vanduser Gin Company and had been a waitress at the Sikeston Country Club. She was a member of the Vanduser Baptist Church...

SIKESTON - Gladys A. Boyd, 81, died Jan. 30, 2002, at her home. Born Sept. 25, 1920, in Clarksville, Ark., daughter of the late D.C. and Zella Vangilder Crone, she formerly lived in St. Louis, where she and her husband owned and operated Boyd's Upholstery and had lived in Sikeston for the past 25 years. She was a member of the North Acres Baptist Church...