Obituaries from February 2004

SIKESTON - Cecil Thomas "Tommy" Beeson, 63, died Jan. 30, 2004, at his home. Born Feb. 18, 1940, in Sikeston, son of Clera Littrell Beeson of Sikeston and the late W.T. Beeson, he was a veteran of the U.S. Army and of the Baptist belief. He earned his pilot's license while being employed by Potlatch and owned and operated Beeson Flying Service until retiring in 1997. After retirement he became a driver for Rettig Enterprises and Duckett Truck Center, where he was currently employed...

EAST PRAIRIE - Mary Elizabeth Lusk, 86, died at 5:30 p.m. Jan. 28, 2004, at the Sikeston Convalescent Center. Born Feb. 17, 1917, in Brownsville, Tenn., daughter of the late Howard Samuel and Rose Carroll, she lived in East Prairie most of her life...

BENTON - Demetra Dianne Westrich, 34, died at 10:50 a.m. Jan. 30, 2004, in Morehouse. Born July 6, 1969, in Sikeston, daughter of Jeremiah "Pete" Dial of Dauphin Island, Ala., and Jo Anne Beck Dial of Morehouse, she was a member of St. Denis Catholic Church in Benton...

ST. LOUIS - Anita DeLisle, 67, died Jan. 30, 2004, at her home. Arrangements are incomplete at DeLisle Funeral Home in Portageville.

NEW ATHENS, Ill. - Floy Jones Gruen, 90, formerly of Lilbourn, Mo., died Jan. 29, 2004, in New Athens. Born Feb. 9, 1913, in Canalou, daughter of the late Leslie Logan and Coela Greer Arbuckle, she was a retired grade school teacher. During her teaching career, she taught in Charter Oak, Canalou, Kendell, St. ...

ST. LOUIS - Anita Louise DeLisle, 67, died Jan. 30, 2004, at her home in St. Louis. Born July 23, 1936, at Cape Girardeau, to the late Burdeen Schroff DeLisle and Francis Wayne DeLisle Sr., she earned a master's degree in education from St. Louis University. She worked as a speech and hearing pathologist at Special School District in St. Louis County retiring after 30 years...

CAPE GIRARDEAU -- Mary Francis Duff, 80, died Feb. 2, 2004, at her home in Cape Girardeau. Born June 29, 1923, in Portageville, daughter of the late Steve and Emma Durbin, she was a member of the St. Eustachius Catholic Church, Ladies of Sodality and St. Mary Catholic Church in Cape Girardeau. She had homes in both Cape Girardeau and Portageville...

PORTAGEVILLE - Ruby Wrather, 94, died Feb. 1, 2004, at her home in Portageville. Visitation will begin at 5 p.m. Tuesday at the DeLisle Funeral Home. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Leland Butler officiating...

CHAFFEE - Elsie Emelia Scott, best known as "Grandma Elsie," has made her final journey to everlasting life with God as of Feb. 1, 2004, at the St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Grandma Elsie's life began in Canada with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Onorio D'Augustine on Dec. 10, 1919. After the passing of her mother, she moved to Italy with her grandparents and at the age of 17, she boarded a ship to rejoin her father in the United States...

FLORISSANT - Home D. Outlaw, 95, formerly of Lilbourn, died Feb. 2, 2004, at St. Sophia's Healthcare in Florissant. Arrangements are incomplete at Ponder Funeral Home in Lilbourn.

PORTAGEVILLE -- Ruby Irene Pinnon Wrather, 94, died Feb. 1, 2004, at her home. Born Aug. 16, 1909, in Tipton County, Tenn., daughter of the late Mollie Louella Smith and Elsie Athen Pinnon, she was a member of the First United Methodist Church and Church of God PEO, United Methodist Women...

BLOOMFIELD -- James L. Pepper, 86, died Feb. 1, 2004, at the John J. Pershing V.A. Medical Center in Poplar Bluff. Arrangements are incomplete at Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter.

FLORISSANT - Homer D. Outlaw, 95, formerly of Lilbourn, died Feb. 2, 2004 at St. Sophia Health Care in Florissant. Born Oct. 21, 1908, in Lee County, Miss., son of the late Jeff and Cora Outlaw, he was a member of the Catron Baptist Church and lifelong member of Local Carpenters Union in Cape Girardeau...

FLORISSANT - Helen "Tudy" Smothers, 77, formerly of Bernie, died Feb. 1, 2004, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. Born Nov. 18, 1926, in Bernie, daughter of the late Marion J. and Gretta parker Smothers, she was a former operator for the Bell Telephone Company and lived in Florissant for the past 35 years...

ST. PETERS - Marjorie R. Tope Symns, 80, formerly of Lilbourn, died Feb. 3, 2004, at St. Joseph Health Center in St. Charles. Born Dec. 28, 1923, in Lilbourn, she was the daughter of the late Fred and Hepsy Tope. Her husband, John W. Symns, survives of the home...

BLOOMFIELD - James LeVar Pepper, 86, died Feb. 1, 2004, at the John J. Pershing Veterans Administration Medical Center in Poplar Bluff. Born June 29, 1917, at Bloomfield, son of the late Earl B. and Hattie Tucker Pepper, he was a member of the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) where he served as an elder. ...

CHAFFEE - Anna Mae Halter, 74, died at 2:56 a.m. Feb. 3, 2004, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. Born July 19, 1929, in Chaffee, daughter of the late Levi Andrew and Nettie Thresa Schwepker Miller, she owned and operated Dairy Queen in Chaffee from 1978 until retiring in 1997. A member of St. Lawrence Catholic Church in New Hamburg, she was also a member of St. Ann Sodality, VFW Auxiliary 3127 in Chaffee and Knights of Columbus Auxiliary in Cape Girardeau...

BLOOMFIELD - Ella Mae Julian, 83, formerly of Portageville, died Feb. 2, 2004, at Beverly Healthcare in Bloomfield. Arrangements are incomplete at DeLisle Funeral Home in Portageville.

McGEHEE, Ark. - Shirley Owens "An-Mama" Tullis, 70, died Feb. 2, 2004, at the McGehee Desha County Hospital in McGehee. Born Oct. 27, 1933, in Cherry Valley, Ariz., daughter of Odena Owens of Conway and the late Mike Owens, she was a substitute teacher for McGehee Public Schools and was active in children's sports activities in McGehee. ...

SPRINGFIELD - Clarence LeeAllen Mustain, 83, formerly of Malden, died Jan. 31, 2004, at Springfield Skilled Nursing. Born May 7, 1920, in Peach Orchard, Ark., son of the late William and Margaret Staten Mustain, he retired as a salesman for the food service industry. He owned and operated the former Plymouth/Dodge dealership in Malden. A former member of Bethany General Baptist Church in Campbell, he was a member of the South Haven Baptist Church in Springfield...

CHICAGO HEIGHTS, Ill. - Velva Laneta Parrish, 81, formerly of Sikeston, Died Feb. 3, 2004, at her home. Arrangements are incomplete at Nunnelee Funeral Chapel in Sikeston.

MALDEN - Rachel Cardella Stephens, 92, died Feb. 2, 2004, at the Ridgeview Nursing Center. Born March 22, 1911, in Greely, daughter of the late James C. and Sarah Jane Shaw Barton, she was a member of Mount Zion General Baptist Church. On Sept. 12, 1931, at Caruthersville, she married Lester Stephens who preceded her in death on Oct. 11, 1985...

CHICAGO HEIGHTS, Ill. - Velva L. Parrish, 81, formerly of Sikeston, Mo., died Feb. 3, 2004, at her home. Born Aug. 15, 1922, in Richland, Mo., daughter of the late Oscar and Lily Delores Hill Smith Sr., she was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Sikeston, Order of the Eastern Star No. ...

DEXTER - Ella Mae Smith, 77, died Feb. 4, 2004, in Dexter. Arrangements are incomplete at Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter.

BERNIE - Julia Ann Burke, 90, formerly of Bernie, died Feb. 4, 2004, at the Green's at Creekside in Kansas City, Mo. Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Bernie is in charge of arrangements which are incomplete.

EAST PRAIRIE - Joyce Brown, 61, died at 3:15 a.m. Feb. 5, 2004, at the East Prairie Nursing Center. Arrangements are incomplete at Shelby Funeral Home.

JACKSON - Leon Edward Stone, 85, died Feb. 4, 2004, at Jackson Manor. Arrangements are incomplete at Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Chaffee.

PORTAGEVILLE - Ella Mae Julian, 84, died Feb. 3, 2004, at Bloomfield Health Care in Bloomfield. She was born Jan. 28, 1920, at New Madrid, daughter of the late James M. and Grace Patterson Julian. Survivors include: one sister, Minnie Marion of Bloomfield; and four nieces and nephews, Joseph Lloyd Jr. of Heber Springs, Ark., Julian Paul Marion of Mountain Home, Ark., Melody Horton of Diamond Head, Miss., and Janna Julian of Oklahoma City, Okla...

JACKSON - Leon Edward Stone, 85, died Feb. 4, 2004, at the Jackson Manor. Born May 10, 1918, in Lutesville, son of the late Hessie Edward and Blanche Edith Conrad Stone, he was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II and member of VFW Post 3838 in Cape Girardeau and the Oak Ridge Masonic Lodge. He was a meat processor for Pipkin-Boyd-Neal Packing Company for 22 years before the company closed. Stone then worked for Central Packing Company in Cape Girardeau for two years and was a lifelong farmer...

ST. ANN - William O. Henderson Jr., 29, formerly of Charleston and Columbia, died Jan. 31, 2004, in Fairfax, Va. Born Dec. 28, 1974, in Kansas City, Mo., to William O. Henderson of Columbia and the late Minnie Simpkins Henderson Thurmond, he was a 1994 graduate of Charleston High School and was employed by Sears Home Logistics Co. of Granite City, Ill...

DEXTER - Ella Mae Smith, 77, died Feb. 4, 2004, at her residence in Dexter. Born Sept. 5, 1926, at Dora to Mary Celestia Owen Smith of Dexter and the late Oscar William Smith, she was a member of the Dexter Church of Christ. In addition to her mother, she is survived by two brothers, James E. Smith of Statesville, N.C., and Ishmael Smith of Dexter, and two sisters, Pat Ann Hessling and Loretta Wickenhauser of Dexter...

POPLAR BLUFF - Dorothy Helen Hawes, 66, died Feb. 3, 2004, at Three Rivers Regional Medical Center. Born June 25, 1937, in Catron, daughter of the late Phillip James and Sallie M. Lewis Anderson, she was co-owner of Beams of Heaven Funeral Homºe in Sikeston and Poplar Bluff. She and her husband founded Bethesda Missionary Baptist Church in Malden where she was a member, Sunday school teacher and president of the Women's Missionary Society...

ADVANCE - Hosie O. Richards, 90, died Feb. 5, 2004, at the Puxico Nursing and Rehab Center. Born Feb. 25, 1913, at Zalma, son of the late John and Myrtle Borders Richards, he was a farmer and member of the Balch Church. On Oct. 2, 1925, at Zalma, he married Glenda Pickett who preceded him in death...

EAST PRAIRIE - Joyce Jewel Brown, 61, died Feb. 5, 2004, at the East Prairie Nursing Center. Born June 19, 1942, at Hayti to the late Frank Pride and Josie Holt Brown, she lived in East Prairie for 40 years then moved to Ste. Genevieve, where she resided for 10 years, before returning to East Prairie. A retired nurse, she was a member of the Ste. Genevieve Baptist Church...

SIKESTON - Pallbearers at services scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Nunnelee Funeral Chapel for Velva L. Parrish, 81, of Chicago Heights, Ill., formerly of Sikeston, who died Feb. 3, 2004, will be: William Smith, Arles McIntyre, Craig Dillman, David Boardman, Ish Payne and Rick Justice...

LILBOURN -- Don Chamberlain, 64, died Feb. 6, 2004, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Born June 8, 1939, in Catron, son of the late Fred and Edna Lee Weedman Chamberlain, he was a self-employed truck driver. In 1974, he married Margaret Williams, and she survives of the home...

NEW MADRID -- Jessie D. Davis, 78, died at 7:30 a.m. Feb. 7, 2004, at his son's home in Barnhart. Arrangements are incomplete at Shelby Funeral Home.

KANSAS CITY -- Julia Ann Burke, 90, formerly of Bernie, died Feb. 4, 2004, at The Green's at Creekside Health Care Center in Kansas City. Visitation is from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Bernie. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday in the Bernie General Baptist Church in Bernie...

PORTAGEVILLE - Wanda Lee Hurley, 91, died Feb. 8, 2004, at her home. Born July 12, 1912, at Steele, daughter of the late David Harry and Josephine Jessie Skaggs Whitener, she was a member of the First Baptist Church in Portageville. On April 27, 1936, at Steele, she married Charlie Lee Hurley who preceded her in death on Sept. 15, 1971...

NEW MADRID - Jessie D. Davis, 78, died at 7:30 a.m. Feb. 7, 2004, at his son's home in Barnhart. Born Jan. 20, 1926, in Shadydale, son of the late Clarence and Wilda Jane Wright Davis, he lived in New Madrid most of his life. He was employed with Cargill Grain Co. for 25 years and was a member of Brown-Twitty American Legion Post 595. A U.S. Navy Veteran of World War II, he was of the Protestant belief...

CHAFFEE - Bernice Ancell, 86, died at 11 p.m. Feb. 6, 2004, at her home. Born March 22, 1917, at Crump, she was the daughter of the late Ernest Kirby and Ida Mae Williams Crump. A member of the First Baptist Church, she was also a member of American Legion Post 389 Ladies Auxiliary and VFW Post 3127 Ladies Auxiliary, all in Chaffee...

SCOTT CITY - Brenda Pearl Gould, 59, died at 12:40 p.m. Feb. 7, 2004, at her home. Born Oct. 9, 1944, in Rome, Ga., daughter of James Curtis Holder McBurnett of Dupo, Ill., and the late Ruby Irene McClure McBurnett, she was a commercial copywriter and employed by KLID Radio in Poplar Bluff. She was of the Baptist belief...

CHARLESTON - James Davidson, 54, died at 8:37 p.m. Feb. 7, 2004, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Born Oct. 2, 1949, in Cairo, Ill., son of Roberta Hickey Davidson of Charleston and the late Vance Davidson, he was a truck driver until retiring in 2001. A member of Eagles Aerie 3319 of Sikeston, he also served with the Missouri National Guard...

PORTAGEVILLE - Jahwoundee Clifton, 68, died Feb. 8, 2004, at Pemiscot Memorial Hospital in Hayti. Arrangements are incomplete at DeLisle Funeral Home.

JACKSON - Gloria M. Kiehne, 82, formerly of Sikeston, died Feb. 6, 2004, at her home. Born March 3, 1921, in Batesville, Ark., daughter of the late Adolph and Alma Walker Mohrstadt, she was a director at the Jackson Public Library for nine years before retiring in 1986. ...

NEW MADRID - Rosa L. McBride, 70, died Feb. 6, 2004, at her home. Born May 7, 1933, in Siler City, N.C., daughter of the late Brad Rogers and Roberta Foxx, she was a member of Mount Calvary Powerhouse Church in Poplar Bluff. On Jan. 17, 1955, she married Perry L. McBride who preceded her in death on Sept. 27, 1999...

NEW ORLEANS - Edith Lucille Johnson Ganus, 81, formerly of East Prairie, Mo., died at 7:38 p.m. Feb. 1, 2004, in New Orleans. The daughter of the late Frank Watson and Stella Myrtle Perry Johnson lived in the New Orleans area for the past 50 years. Survivors include: four daughters, Patricia Burke, Mary Beth Garcia, Nancy Powell and Becky Finn; two sisters Doris L. Ganus and Joan J. England; and six grandchildren...

CHAFFEE - Bernice Ancell, 86, died at 11 p.m. Feb. 6, 2004, at her home. Born March 22, 1917, at Crump, she was the daughter of the late Ernest Kirby and Ida Mae Williams Crump. A member of the First Baptist Church, she was also a member of American Legion Post 389 Ladies Auxiliary and VFW Post 3127 Ladies Auxiliary, all in Chaffee...

LADY LAKE, Fla. - Gary E. Hill, 67, formerly of Bedford, Ind., died Feb. 7, 2004, at his home. Born March 20, 1936, in Orange County, Ind., son of the late Ira and Marie Hall Hill, he was employed by Wetterau Inc. for 34 years until retiring in 1996, when he moved to Florida. He attended Purdue University and served in the U.S. Marine Corps...

BARDWELL, Ky. - Ora Helen Smith Melton, 92, formerly of East Prairie, Mo., died at 5:39 a.m. Feb. 9, 2004, at Countryside Healthcare in Bardwell. Born Sept. 16, 1911, in Vego, Ill., daughter of the late Charles O. and Sarah Jane Warden Burgens, she lived in East Prairie for several years, where she was a member of St. James General Baptist Church. Before retiring, she was a den mother at the Old St. Vincent Seminary in Cape Girardeau. She moved to Bardwell four years ago...

PORTAGEVILLE - Jahwoundee Clifton, 68, died Feb. 8, 2004, at Pemiscot Memorial Hospital in Hayti. Born June 18, 1936, in Jessup, Ark., she was the daughter of the late Clifton A. and Dorothy Watson McCrackin. On July 25, 1951, at Piggott, Ark., she married Raymond Bruce Clifton who preceded her in death on June 21, 2000...

KANSAS CITY - Julia Burke, 90, formerly of Bernie, died Feb. 4, 2004, at The Greens Creekside Healthcare Center in Kansas City. Born Nov. 1, 1913, in Bernie, daughter of the late Gabe A. and Ida Ellen Neal Pointer, she was a member of the Bernie General Baptist Church since 1937...

ADVANCE - Earlene Smith, 84, died Feb. 9, 2004, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Born Nov. 30, 1919, in Itawamba County, Miss., daughter of the late Oscar and Sarah Dulany Johnson, she was a member of the Church of Christ in Advance...

BOISE, Idaho - Jane Plucknett, 76, formerly of Sikeston, Mo., passed away at her home in Boise on Feb. 6, 2004, from cancer. Jane was born Feb. 24, 1927, to the late Wes and Lois Fry in Beatrice, Neb. She grew up on her parents' farm near Beatrice with her brothers, Charlie and Bill. ...

SIKESTON - Elvada Winders-Cooper, 79, died at 3:25 a.m. Feb. 11, 2004, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. Blanchard Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements which are incomplete.

EAST PRAIRIE - Everett J. Matthews, 71, died at 5:55 a.m. Feb. 10, 2004, at his home. Arrangements are incomplete at Shelby Funeral Home.

PORTAGEVILLE - Eavie L. Reid, 89, died Feb. 10, 2004, at the Portageville Nursing Center. Arrangements are incomplete at DeLisle Funeral Home.

PORTAGEVILLE - Betty Gremard, 66, died Feb. 10, 2004, at her home. Arrangements are incomplete at DeLisle Funeral Home.

MATTHEWS - Birley Scott, 97, died Feb. 11, 2004, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Arrangements are incomplete at Nunnelee Funeral Chapel in Sikeston.

PORTAGEVILLE - Betty Lou Gremard, 66, died Feb. 10, 2004, at her home. Born Nov. 13, 1937, at Center Ridge, Ark., she was the daughter of Lula A. Boyer Bradley of Portageville and the late Orville Dennis Bradley. Survivors in addition to her mother include: one son, Farron Dale Smith of Portageville; two daughters, Cathy Jeffries and Amy Durbin of Portageville; three brothers, Richard Lee Bradley and Jimmy R. Bradley of Portageville and Bobby Glen Bradley of Lilbourn; and three grandchildren...

BERTRAND - Elvada Winders-Cooper, 79, died at 3:25 a.m. Feb. 11, 2004, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. Born June 3, 1924, at Aid, daughter of the late James C. Hill and Jessie Sifford Hill Yeakey, she was a member of Missouri Delta Medical Center Ladies Auxiliary. ...

EAST PRAIRIE - Everett J. Matthews, 71, died at 5:55 p.m. Feb. 10, 2004, at his residence in East Prairie. Born June 1, 1932, at East Prairie to the late Kilmer and Agnes Cooper Matthews, he lived most of his life in Mississippi County where he was a retired farmer...

ENCINITAS, Calif. - Kevin DeWayne Davis, 43, died Jan. 10, 2004, at the Evergreen Health Care Center at Encinitas. Born July 13, 1960, at St. Louis, Mo., to Joyce Wilkey Link of St. Louis and the late DeWayne Davis, he was a master chef in the San Diego area...

SIKESTON - Audrey Mae Mays, 89, died at 4:15 p.m. Feb. 11, 2004, at Missouri Delta Medical Center. Born March 26, 1914, in Matthews, daughter of the late James J. and Tora Russell Baker, she was of the Baptist belief. She worked for the Sikeston Laundry and Dry Cleaners for 12 years and was a cook at Missouri Delta Medical Center for eight years before retiring...

PORTAGEVILLE - Eavie L. Reid, 89, died Feb. 10, 2004, at the Portageville Nursing Center. Born March 1, 1914, at Sherman, Miss., she was the daughter of the late George W. and Nora Florence Tidwell Smith. On Jan. 26, 1962, at Portageville, she married Mack Reid who preceded her in death...

PORTAGEVILLE - Jaime Sullivan, 24, died Feb. 12, 2004, at her home. Arrangements are incomplete at DeLisle Funeral Home.

BLODGETT - Lillie A. Williams, 96, died at 2:02 a.m. Feb. 12, 2004, at the Fountainbleau Lodge in Cape Girardeau. Born Dec. 14 1907, at Bertrand, daughter of the late Lonzo and Rebecca Kernell Mott, she was a member of the Blodgett Baptist Church, where she was pianist, organist and church secretary for many years...

MATTHEWS - Birley Evelyn Scott, 97, died at 2:50 p.m. Feb. 11, 2004, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Born May 18, 1906, in Marshall, Ark., daughter of the late Daniel and Ada Barnes Bohannon, she attended Big Ridge General Baptist Church in Matthews...

ORAN - Semina Margaret Wade, 90, of Oran died Feb. 12, 2004, at her daughter's home in Cape Girardeau. Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel at Oran is in charge of arrangements which are incomplete.

CHARLESTON - Mayme S. Dernoncourt, 81, died at 4:15 p.m. Feb. 12, 2004, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Born Sept. 9, 1922, in Charleston, daughter of the late George U. and Waneta Martin Shelby Sr., she lived in Charleston most of her life. After living in Leawood, Kan., for 12 years and Maples, Fla., for seven years, she recently returned to Charleston. She was a member of the Church of the Nativity at Leawood...

CHAFFEE - Fred Junior Leeper, 50, died Feb. 11, 2004, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Born Aug. 16, 1953, in Phoenix, Ariz., son of Fred Junior Leeper of Winterhaven, Calif., and Thelma Kissinger Chisolm of Advance, he was a diesel mechanic for Trucks Inc. in Sikeston...

SIKESTON - Michael Seagraves, 51, formerly of Emeryville, Calif., died Feb. 12, 2004, at his home in rural Sikeston. Born June 18, 1952, in Contra Costa County, Calif., son of the late Clifton and Beatrice Savage Seagraves, he was a member of the Hooe Baptist Church...

SIKESTON - Thomas Harold Boardman, 79, died Feb. 12, 2004, at his home. Born Feb. 26, 1924, in Sikeston, son of the late Raymond L. and Anna Lee Daugherty Boardman, he was a 1942 graduate of Sikeston High School. A veteran of the U.S. Army Air Corps, he served as a radio operator on a B-17 bomber during World War II in the European Theater and was shot down on Sept. ...

PORTAGEVILLE - Jaime Sullivan, 24, died Feb. 12, 2004, at her home. Born Feb. 4, 1980, in Hayti, she was the daughter of James and Irma Musgrave Graham of Portageville. A graduate of Portageville High School, she was a dental assistant for Dr. John Gardner in Caruthersville...

MILWAUKEE, Wis. - Tommy J. Drake, 60, formerly of Howardville, Mo., died Feb. 9, 2004, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Milwaukee. Born April 10, 1943, at Point Pleasant, Mo., son of the late Tommy and Ruby Crawford Drake, he was a veteran of the U.S. Army during the Vietnam era...

SIKESTON - Pallbearers at services conducted at 1 p.m. today at Nunnelee Funeral Chapel for Audrey Mae Mays, 89, who died Feb. 11, 2004, were: Roy Davis, Tony Mays, Matt Berry, Tyler Brashear, Harold Yancy and Dewey Harper.

EAST PRAIRIE -- Elizabeth McQueen, 78, died at 8:45 p.m. Feb. 13, 2004, in the East Prairie Nursing Center. Arrangements are incomplete at Shelby Funeral Home.

DEXTER -- Dorothy June Close, 53, died Feb. 13, 2004, at her home. Born June 12, 1950, in Senath, daughter of Louise Burton of Dexter and the late James Burton, she had lived in Anchorage, Alaska; Phoenix, Ariz.; Hatton, N.D.; and Niceville, Fla., before moving to Dexter in 1991. A member of the Faith Community Church of Dudley, she was a retired information management technician with the U.S. Air Force and had served for 20 years...

BLOOMFIELD -- Billy Joe Rickman, 73, died Feb. 13, 2004, at Missouri Southern Healthcare in Dexter. Born July 22, 1930, in Senath, son of the late Fred and Myrtle Ford Rickman, he was a retired employee of Puralator in Dexter and a veteran of the U.S. Navy, serving in the Korean War. He was a member and deacon of the First Baptist Church in Bloomfield, where he taught Sunday school for 20 years...

DEXTER -- Lillie Honey, 91, died Feb. 13, 2004, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Born Nov. 29, 1912, at Newport, Ark., daughter of the late Mack and Minnie Riley Cochran, she was a member of the Sweet Prospect General Baptist Church at Dexter and a former employee of Elder Manufacturing Co. at Dexter, where she worked for 27 years...

BLOOMFIELD -- Helen Prince, 92, died Feb. 13, 2004, at Three Rivers Healthcare, South Campus in Poplar Bluff. Born March 22, 1911, at Dyersburg, Tenn., daughter of the late Luther and Eula Beasley Smith, she was a homemaker. In 1985, at Chicago, Ill., she married Paul Prince who preceded her in death...

SIKESTON -- Pallbearers at services held Saturday at Nunnelee Funeral Chapel for Lillie Williams, 96, of Cape Girardeau, formerly of Blodgett, who died Feb. 12, 2004, were: Anthony Williams, Joey Williams, Justin Marble, John Marble, Brock Seabaugh and Darius Seabaugh...

ORAN - Semina Margaret Wade, 90, died at 7:15 p.m. Feb. 12, 2004, in Chaffee. Born Dec. 31, 1913, in St. Joseph, Tenn., daughter of the late Peter and Clara Hollmann Reischman, she was a member of Guardian Angel Catholic Church, St. Ann Sodality and the Oran Senior Citizens...

SPRINGFIELD - Doris Stearns Brower, 85, died Feb. 11, 2004. Born Sept. 23, 1918, in Lilbourn, she was the daughter of the late P.J. and Ethel Stearns. Her husband, Hollis H. Brower, preceded her in death. Survivors include: one son and daughter-in-law, Hollis H. and Cheryl Brower Jr. of Springfield; one sister, Ruth Liley of Cape Girardeau; and two grandchildren and five great-grandchildren...

DEXTER - Florence B. Miller, 101, died Feb. 13, 2004, at the Gideon Care Center. Born Nov. 25, 1902, in Dexter, daughter of the late Snowden and Maggie Ellen Carter Bailey, she was a lifelong resident of Dexter. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Dexter, where she attended the Delphenia Sunday school class, and was also a member of the Walnut Lane Goodwill Club...

BERTRAND - Sheila Kay Boyd, 55, died Feb. 13, 2004, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. Born May 12, 1948, in St. Louis, daughter of Ella May Statler Smith Hinkle of Marquand and the late Dewel Smith, she worked for Gates Rubber Company in Charleston for 20 years before retiring in August 2003. She was a member of the Sikeston Community Baptist Church, where she sang in the choir...

PORTAGEVILLE - Margaret James, 83, died Feb. 15, 2004, at her home. Born Dec. 28, 1920, in Derring, daughter of the late William M. and Lular Belle Foster Barksdale, she attended the J.Y. Church of God. On Feb. 19, 1942, at Hayti, she married Charles A. "Charlie" James who preceded her in death on Jan. 8, 1995...

BENTON - Glen Orville Proctor, 82, died at 5:50 p.m. Feb. 14, 2004, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. Born May 15, 1921, at Ancell, son of the late Roy Sterling and Maude Lula Nanny Proctor, he owned and operated Glen Proctor Trucking at Benton from 1946-96. He was a 5th grade technician with the U.S. Army during World War II, stationed in North Africa and Sicily, Italy, and fought in the Battle of Anzio. He attended the Benton United Methodist Church...

MOREHOUSE -- Karlene Cambron, 89, died Feb. 14, 2004, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Born Sept. 16, 1914, in Rose Hill, daughter of the late Richard Wooten and Vienna Ruth Heflin Bryant, she had lived in the Morehouse area most of her life and was a member of the Assembly of God Church in Morehouse...

DEXTER - Pallbearers at services conducted Sunday at Watkins and Sons Funeral Home for Florence B. Miller, 101, who died Feb. 15, 2004, were: Terry Bradley, Mark Glenn, Rick Turner, Jim Woodward, Dylan Woodward and Brandon Haasbroek.

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. - Catherine Kerby, 91, formerly of Scott City, Mo., died Feb. 13, 2004, at her daughter's home in Lawrenceville. Born June 4, 1912, in Seminole, Okla., daughter of the late Wesley and Ona Strosnider, she worked at St. Francis Hospital in Cape Girardeau before retiring. After retirement, she and her husband operated Kerby's Bait Shop for 25 years. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Scott City...

SALEM, Ill. - James Raymond Jeffords, 74, died at 5:15 a.m. Feb. 15, 2004, at his home. Born Aug. 15, 1929, in Paducah, Ky., son of the late Raymond and Hattie Lee Jeffords, he retired from Egyptian Concrete Company and was a member of the First Baptist Church in Charleston, Mo. He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War and member of Amvets...

FRESNO, Calif. - Darrel Day, 68, died Feb. 1, 2004, in Fresno. Born Nov. 13, 1935, near Malden, Mo., son of the late Norman and Effie Bowman Day, he attended Gideon Elementary School and graduated in 1953 from East Prairie High School. He attended Southeast Missouri State University at Cape Girardeau and Fresno State University. A U.S. Army veteran, Day was a general contractor and owned and operated DW Day Lathing for 10 years before retiring in 1995...

DEXTER - Francis Xavier Lyons, 72, died Jan. 28, 2004, at the Cypress Point Health Care Center in Dexter. Born April 7, 1931, at Omaha, Neb., he was the son of the late John and Rose Herbeck Lyons. Survivors include: one son, John Lyons; one daughter, Rose Mooneyhan of Oldsmar, Fla.; one stepson, Kevin Fluharty of Alabama; one brother, Chuck Lyons of Omaha; and five grandchildren...

BLOOMFIELD - Freemond "Bud" Fuwell, 66, died Feb. 15, 2004, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Born May 9, 1937, in Portageville, son of the late Roy Gilbert and Icy Marie Jerls Fuwell, he lived in Bloomfield most of his life. He worked in machine repair for Arvin Automotive for 18 years. In 1982, he and his wife opened their home for foster care and since 1996 they have owned and operated Hilda Fuwell's Residential Care Facility near Bloomfield...

CHARLESTON - Mayme Shelby Dernoncourt, 81, died peacefully Thursday afternoon, Feb. 12, 2004, at St. Francis Hospital in Cape Girardeau. "Mimi," as she was affectionately known to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, was born Sept. 9, 1922, and was the daughter of the late George U. and Waneta Martin Shelby Sr., who were from Charleston...

BELL CITY - Dorothy Ann Hart, 64, died Feb. 16, 2004, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. Born July 3, 1939, at Red Rock, Okla., daughter of Oliver and Dorothy May Pickens Young, she was a secretary for Schott Farms and had also been a construction worker and truck driver. She was secretary for Pike Township and was of the Church of Christ belief...

MORLEY - Roy Ragains, 86, died at 10:25 p.m. Feb. 17, 2004, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Arrangements are incomplete at Nunnelee Funeral Chapel in Sikeston.

DEXTER - Pallbearers at services conducted Tuesday at Watkins and Sons Funeral Home for Dorothy Close, 53, who died Feb. 13 2004, were: Keith Green, Charles Burton, Terry Young, Dale Sanders, Lance Sanders and Robert Sanders.

SIKESTON - Pallbearers at graveside services conducted Tuesday at Garden of Memories Cemetery for Karlene Cambron, 89, of Morehouse, who died Feb. 14, 2004, were: Ron Williams, Jason Williams. R.V. Bowers, Donald Bowers, Vincent Halley and Steve Halley...

DEXTER - Helen Northington, 81, died Feb. 17, 2004, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Born Nov. 8, 1922, at Des Moines, Iowa, daughter of the late Joseph Warren and Elenor Springer Rinabarger, she was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Dexter. ...

SIKESTON - Carletta J. Boardman, 78, died Feb. 18, 2004, at Missouri Delta Medical Center. Born Nov. 10, 1925, in Matthews, daughter of the late Harry G. and Clara A. Edmondson Jones, she was a member of Trinity Baptist Church in Sikeston. On Dec. 24 1942, she married Thomas Harold Boardman who preceded her in death on Feb. 12, 2004...

MORLEY - Roy William Ragains, 86, died at 10:25 p.m. Feb. 17, 2004, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Born March 21, 1917, in Morley, son of the late Ulysses Grant and Lula May Griggs Ragains, he was a member of the Morley Methodist Church. He served with the U.S. Army Infantry in New Guinea during World War II and received two Bronze Stars, the Distinguished Unit Badge and the Combat Infantry Badge for the New Guinea Campaign...

SCOTT CITY - Jerry Owen Jackson, 60, died Feb. 18, 2004, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Born Feb. 11, 1944, in Stonewall, Ark., son of the late Owen and Hattie Mae Puckett Jackson, he was a supervisor for the Herket and Meisel Trunk Company in St. Louis and was of the Missionary Baptist belief...

NEW MADRID - Leon M. Hall, 85, died Feb. 18, 2004, at Beverly Healthcare in New Madrid. Born June 11, 1918, in New Madrid, son of the late William and Dora Phillips Hall, he lived in Tallapoosa and New Madrid all his life and was a retired farm laborer. He served with the U.S. Army in New Guinea, the Philippine Liberation and Luzon and was awarded three Bronze Stars. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars...

JACKSON - Clifton G. Poole, 84, died Feb. 17, 2004, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. Born Feb. 23, 1919, at LaForge, son of the late William C. and Josephine Gardner Poole, he was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II and served in the Battle of the Bulge. A recipient of the Purple Heart, Bronze Star and Good Conduct Medal, he was of the Baptist belief...

ROSEWOOD HEIGHTS, Ill. - Wanda Bee Zook, 68, died at 3:40 a.m. Feb. 19, 2004, at her home. Born Aug. 11, 1935, in Bondard, Ky., daughter of the late Samuel and Hattie Blasingim Overton, she owned and operated Wanda's Cake Decorating and Supplies for many years...

SCOTT CITY - Jerry "Nordie" Ancell, 63, died Feb. 20, 2004, at his home. Arrangements are incomplete at Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Scott City.

SIKESTON - Pallbearers at services scheduled for 1 p.m. today at Ponder Funeral Home for Carletta J. Boardman, 78, who died Feb. 18, 2004, will be: Matt Winters, Thomas Boardman, Tyler Boardman, Austin Boardman, Len O'Connor, Don Tucker.

PARMA - Gordon Eugene Rhea, 75, died Feb. 18, 2004, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Born Jan. 20, 1929, in Parma, son of the late John Lee and Nora Richem Rhea, he was a farmer. Survivors include: one brother and sister-in-law, Dennis and Beverly Rhea of Bridgeton; two sisters and one brother-in-law, Dorothy and Calvin Allen of Port Hueneme, Calif., and Juanita Edwards of Maryland Heights; one sister-in-law, Sandra Rhea of Jefferson City; and several nieces and nephews...

BLOOMFIELD - Ola Underwood, 99, died Feb. 20, 2004, at Beverly Healthcare in Bloomfield. Born Jan. 27, 1905, she spent most of her life in the Bloomfield community where she was a housewife and a member of the First General Baptist Church in Bloomfield...

POPLAR BLUFF - Jeffrey Alan Adams, 28, died Feb. 20, 2004, at his residence in Poplar Bluff. Born Feb. 3, 1976, at St. Charles, to Bobby G. Adams of Bernie and the late Marcena Elaine Walker, he was a machine operator for Mid-Continent Nail Corporation at Poplar Bluff...

DEXTER - Bertha Marie Sedrick, 79, died Feb. 20, 2004, at the Crowley Ridge Care Center in Dexter. Born Oct. 26, 1923, at Dexter, daughter of the late Ernest and Clara McFarlen Jackson, she was a homemaker and a member of the General Baptist Church at St. Louis where she played piano and taught Sunday School...

ROCKFORD, Ill. - Elsie V. Love, 85, formerly of Sikeston, Mo., died at 1:05 p.m. Feb. 19, 2004, at the St. Anne Center in Rockford. Born July 2, 1918, at Morehouse, Mo., to the late Thomas and Dimple Jones Sheeter, she was a member of the Morehouse Baptist Church and the Order of the Eastern Star...

SIKESTON - Iva Pearl Latham, 92, died at 2:10 a.m. Feb. 21, 2004, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Born April 22, 1911, in Blodgett, daughter of the late Jack and Elizabeth Harris Welch, she was a member of the Illinois Avenue Baptist Church in Sikeston and worked as a cleaning lady for businesses in Sikeston...

SIKESTON - Lillie Mae Lovelace Sides, 95, died Feb. 20, 2004, at the Clearview Nursing Center in Sikeston. Born July 14, 1908, in Dyer County, Tenn., daughter of the late Albert and Minnie Lovelace, she was descended from early pioneer settlers, with one branch being Baptists who came over from Wales for religious freedom in the 1600s and was of the Baptist belief her whole life. A member of the First Families of Tennessee, she had two ancestors who fought in the Revolutionary War...

ROCKFORD, Ill. - Elsie V. Love, 85, formerly of Morehouse, Mo., died at 1:05 p.m. Feb. 19, 2004, at the St. Anne Center in Rockford. Born July 2, 1918, at Morehouse, Mo., to the late Thomas and Dimple Jones Sheeter, she was a member of the Morehouse Baptist Church and the Order of the Eastern Star...

CAPE GIRARDEAU - Artelia Borgmann, 83, died at 9:05 p.m. Feb. 20, 2004, at the Life Care Center in Cape Girardeau. Born Aug. 10, 1920, at Hornwall, Tenn., daughter of the late Jasper and Eveline Mathis Skelton, she attended the Friendship School in Portageville for eight years and was of the Pentecostal belief...

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Van McAnally, 38, died Feb. 19, 2004, in Memphis. Arrangements are incomplete at DeLisle Funeral Home in Portageville, Mo.

SIKESTON - Pearl "Granny" Latham, 92, died at 2:10 a.m. Feb. 21, 2004, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Born April 22, 1911, in Blodgett, daughter of the late Jack and Elizabeth Harris Welch, she was a member of the Illinois Avenue Baptist Church in Sikeston and worked as a cleaning lady for businesses in Sikeston...

PORTAGEVILLE - Clarence Edgar, 74, died Feb. 23, 2004, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Born Jan. 2, 1930, in Portageville, son of the late Thomas and Clara Edgar, he was a farm laborer before retiring. On Sept. 2, 1968, in Portageville, he married Mary Lou Phillips who preceded him in death on Dec. 18, 1991...

SCOTT CITY - Jerry "Nordie" Ancell, 63, died at 5:55 a.m. Feb. 20, 2004, at his home. Born Dec. 20, 1940, in Scott County, son of the late Norval and Gerald Swope Ancell, he retired in February 2000 as a railroad engineer for the Union Pacific Railroad. He was a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers...

SCOTT CITY - Alfreda Mae Hamilton, 87, died at 1:20 a.m. Feb. 22, 2004, at the Chaffee Nursing Center. Born June 7, 1916, in Benton, daughter of the late Louis and Ellen Keesee Dickerson, she was a surgical technician for the maternity ward at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau, retiring in 1976. She was a member of New Life Methodist Church in Scott City...

WATERFORD, Mich. - Gary Lee Woods, 52, formerly of East Prairie, Mo., and Berkley, Ky., died Feb. 21, 2004, at the North Oakland Medical Center in Pontiac. Born April 20, 1951, in England, Ark., son of the late Alfred C. and Nona F. Henderson, he was of the Baptist belief...

DEXTER - Mary Norma McCoy, 83, died Feb. 23, 2004, at the Beverly Health and Rehabilitation Center in Bloomfield. Arrangements are incomplete at Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter.

DEXTER - Pallbearers at services conducted Saturday at Watkins and Sons Funeral Home for Freemond "Bud" Fuwell, 66, who died Feb. 15, 2004, were: Dail Swain, Larry Case, Earnie Wiley, Gene Findley, Rick King, Randy Smith, Mike Mitchell and Mike Williams...

EAST PRAIRIE - Barbara Lou Murray, 65, died at 9 a.m. Feb. 22, 204 at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Arrangements are incomplete at Shelby Funeral Home.

PARMA - Pallbearers at services conducted today at Watkins and Sons Funeral Home for Leon Melvin Hall, 85, who died Feb. 18, 2004, were: Smokey Johnson, Raymond Dickerson, Ed Borders and Tom Womack.

EAST PRAIRIE - Susie M. Aycock, 89, died at 6:20 p.m. Feb. 23, 2004, at the Golden Years Homestead in Fort Wayne, Ind. Arrangements are incomplete at Shelby Funeral Home.

SIKESTON - Pallbearers for services conducted at 11 a.m. today at Ponder Funeral Home for Lillie May Sides, 95, who died Feb. 20, 2004, were: Jim Young, Alex Trucks, Austin French, Jeremy French, Danny Schuchart and Matt Schuchart.

DEXTER - Mary Norma McCoy, 83, died Feb. 23, 2004, at Beverly Healthcare in Bloomfield. Born Feb. 7, 1921, in Powe, daughter of the late Joseph and Ethel Jordan Grayum, she was of the Pentecostal belief. She was a housekeeper at Dexter Memorial Hospital before retiring...

EAST PRAIRIE - Barbara Lou Murray, 65, died at 9 a.m. Feb. 22, 2004, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. Born Nov. 1, 1938, in Ohio, daughter of the late Earl and Dora Lowe, she was a retired nurse and of the Protestant belief. Survivors include: four daughters, Vicki Slager of New Work, Ohio, Brandi Boyer of East Prairie and Suzi Wilson and Judi Moore of Plain City, Ohio; one brother, Eddie Lowe of New Vienna, Ohio; and 13 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren...

SIKESTON - Mae Audrey Jones, 47, died Feb. 23, 2004, at Missouri Delta Medical Center. Born March 11, 1956, in Bell City, daughter of Rose Johnson and Leo Ramsey of Sikeston, she graduated in 1975 from Bell City High School. She was a member of Cornerstone Baptist Church in Sikeston...

CHICAGO - Johnny Lee Watson, 51, died at 6:25 p.m. Feb. 11, 2004, at Mount Sinai Hospital in Chicago. Born June 9, 19152, in Chicago, son of Willie and Ozie Watson of Chicago, he graduated from Bell City (Mo.) High School and returned to Chicago in 1972. He was employed by Whitney Young High School in Chicago at the time of his death...

EAST PRAIRIE - Claude A. Cox, 91, died at 8:05 p.m. Feb. 24, 2004, at the East Prairie Nursing Center. McMikle Funeral of Charleston is in charge of arrangements, which are incomplete.

EDMOND, Okla. - Robert L. "Bob" Baker, 73, died Feb. 23, 2004, following an extended illness. Born Sept. 2, 1930, in Dixson, Ill., he served with the U.S. Army from 1953-55 and was employed by National Lock Sales for 36 years before retiring, during which time he lived in Sikeston, Mo. He was a member of the Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Edmond...

DEXTER - Wilma Beulah Adams, 97, died Feb. 24, 2004, at her home. Born Nov. 4, 1906, in Parma, daughter of the late Walter E. and Lelie Smith Howell, she was a member of the Bernie Nazarene Church. On Feb. 16, 1924, at Piggott, Ark., she married William Oades Adams who preceded her in death on Jan. 7, 1994...

QULIN - Ruth Marcus, 79, formerly of Dexter, died Feb. 24, 2004, at her home. Born April 16, 1924, in rural Fagus, daughter of the late Harley and Addie Looney Schrader, she was a member of the Fagus General Baptist Church. She retired as an inspector for Elder Manufacturing in Dexter and was a member of the Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary...

SIKESTON - Laura Alice Bush, 91, died at 6:18 p.m. Feb. 25, 2004, at the Clearview Nursing Center. Born Dec. 23, 1912, in Matthews, daughter of the late Oliver L. and Florence Caldwell Daugherty, she owned and operated Daugherty's Cafe in Sikeston. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church, where she maintained perfect attendance for 12 years with the Philathea Sunday school class...

ORAN - Florence A. Brumit, 86, died Feb. 25, 2004, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. Arrangements are incomplete at Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Oran.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Edgar J. Johnson, 96, formerly of Sikeston, Mo., died at 8 a.m. Feb. 26, 2004, at his home. Arrangements are incomplete at Nunnelee Funeral Chapel in Sikeston.

EAST PRAIRIE - Claude A. Cox, 92, died at 8:05 p.m. Feb. 24, 2004, at the East Prairie Nursing Center. Born Oct. 16, 1911, in Butler County, son of the late Wilford and Mary Forkham Cox, he lived in Mississippi and Butler counties all his life. He was a truck driver for Hefner Furniture Company before retiring and was a member of the Oneness Pentecostal Church in East Prairie...

MALDEN - Delmar Winford Garland, 80, died Feb. 25, 2004, at his home. Born April 27, 1923, in Malden, son of the late Jerry and Vevia Pearl Skelton Garland, he retired as a sales representative for Ashcraft Wholesale Foods. A U.S. Navy veteran of World War II, he was a member of the First General Baptist Church in Malden...

HIGHLANDVILLE - Wayne Beaird, 57, formerly of Sikeston, died Feb. 25, 2004, at Cox South Hospital in Springfield. Born April 2, 1946, in Parma, son of the late Russell Andrew and Mabel Frances Butler Beaird, he was a U.S. Navy veteran of the Vietnam War. He owned and operated Beaird Quality Homes and attended the Nixa Assembly of God Church...

INDIANAPOLIS - Etta Mae Fuller, 78, formerly of Sikeston, Mo., died Feb. 23, 2004, at the Zionsville Meadows Nursing Home. Born March 3, 1925, in Kilmichael, Miss., daughter of the late Lem and Etta Perry, she had been a private duty housekeeper for area Sikeston residents and was a member of the East Side Missionary Baptist Church in Indianapolis. Her husband, Dave Fuller Sr., survives of the home...

EDMOND, Okla. - Robert L. "Bob" Baker, 73, died Feb. 23, 2004, following an extended illness. Born Sept. 2, 1930, in Dixson, Ill., he served with the U.S. Army from 1953-55 and began a career with National Lock Sales in 1961. During his tenure with National Lock Sales, Baker held the positions of director of sales and marketing in Sikeston, Mo., marketing manager in Rockford, Ill., and was also a national sales and marketing director. ...

CLARKSDALE, Miss. - Van H. "Rip" McAnally, 38, formerly of Portageville, Mo., died Feb. 19, 2004, in Southaven. Arrangements are incomplete at DeLisle Funeral Home in Portageville.

BELLFLOWER, Calif. - Ronnie Morris McKay, 63, died Feb. 24, 2004, at the Kaiser Permanente Medical Center. Arrangements are incomplete at Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Benton, Mo.

CHAFFEE - G.E. McFerron, 83, died Feb. 27, 2004, at the Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. Arrangements are incomplete at the Amick-Burnett Funeral Home in Chaffee.

ST. LOUIS - Clara Schallert, 75, formerly of Portageville, died Feb. 25, 2004, at the Life Care Center in St. Louis. Arrangements are incomplete at DeLisle Funeral Home in Portageville.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Edgar J. Johnson, 96, formerly of Sikeston, Mo., died at 8 a.m. Feb. 26, 2004, at his home. Born Sept. 18, 1907, in Chicago, he was raised by his adopted parents, the late Mr. and Mrs. Ben Johnson. A U.S. Army veteran of World War II, he was district manager of the Southeast Division of the International Shoe Company from 1939 until the early 1960s. ...

DEXTER - Bob Chism, 58, died Feb. 26, 2004, in the Barnes Hospital at St. Louis. Arrangements are incomplete at Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter.

ORAN - Florence A. Brumit, 86, died at 7:40 p.m. Feb. 25, 2004, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. Born Dec. 27, 1917, in Scopus, daughter of the late John and Nancy Jane Welker Douglas, she had been employed by the Chaffee General Hospital. She was a member of the Morley Church of God...

ADVANCE - Mary Hefner Nichols, 91, formerly of McGee, died Feb. 26, 2004, at her home. Born Sept. 10, 1912, at McGee, daughter of the late Eddie and Etta McDaniel Walk, attended the Berrong General Baptist Church in Gipsy. On Jan. 16, 1932, at McGee, she married Glen Hefner who preceded her in death on Jan. 9, 1965. She later married Woodrow Nichols and he also preceded her in death...

PORTAGEVILLE - Deanna Darlene Fleming, 58, died Feb. 26, 2004, at her home at Point Pleasant. She was born July 22, 1945, in Portageville to the late Charlotte Richardson and J.C. Lane. In 1983, at Marston, she married Robert C. Fleming, who survives of the home...

SIKESTON - Pallbearers for services scheduled at 11 a.m. Saturday at Nunnelee Funeral Chapel in Sikeston for Laura Alice Bush, who died Feb. 25, 2004, will be: Blaine Johnson, Barry Johnson, Mike Hogan, Jerry Freshour II, Tony Sloan and Keith Byrd. Visitation is from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at Nunnelee Funeral Chapel...

SIKESTON - Samantha Camille "Sammy" Thomann, 83, died at 5 a.m. Feb. 27, 2004, at Missouri Delta Medical Center. Born on March 7, 1920, in Portageville to the late Benjamin Arthur and Lillie Mae Bodi Tanner, she was a supervisor of the sewing department for 32 years at International Shoe Co. ...

EAST PRAIRIE - Susie Hunter Aycock, 89, died at 6:20 p.m. Feb. 23, 2004, in the Golden Years Homestead in Ft. Wayne, Ind. Born Feb. 13, 1915, in New Madrid County, daughter of the late Robert W. and Susie Mae Woodward Hunter, she had lived most of her life in East Prairie where she and her late husband owned andº operated Aycock's Corner Confectionery and Jewelry. She was also a member of the First Christian Church in East Prairie...

SIKESTON - Samantha Camille "Sammy" Thomann, 83, died at 5 a.m. Feb. 27, 2004, at Missouri Delta Medical Center. Born on March 7, 1920, in Portageville to the late Benjamin Arthur and Lillie Mae Bodi Tanner, she was a supervisor of the sewing department for 32 years at International Shoe Co. ...

CHAFFEE - G.F. "Bill" McFerron, 83, died Feb. 27, 2004, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. Born Nov. 14, 1920, in Advance, son of the late Abner Faster and Grace Edith Bollinger McFerron, he served with the U.S. Army in China, India-Burma Air Offensive in Japan during World War II and received the Bronze Star. ...

SIKESTON - Pallbearers for graveside services conducted Saturday at Garden of Memories Cemetery for Edgar J. Johnson, 96, of Memphis, Tenn., and formerly of Sikeston, who died Feb. 26, 2004, were: Richard Montgomery, Will Montgomery, Ed Cheek, Lee Wilson, Samuel Wilson and Troy Wilson...

MOREHOUSE - Vendol Abernathy, 74, died Feb. 27, 2004, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. Born Oct. 3, 1929, in Poplar Bluff, son of the late Joseph Matthew and Sarah Elizabeth Phillips Abernathy, he lived in Morehouse most of his life. A U.S. Marine Corps veteran of the Korean War, he was a retired truck driver and member of the Oneness Pentecost Church in Morehouse...

DEXTER - Robert Thelmo "Bob" Chism, 58, died Feb. 26, 2004, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. Born June 7, 1945 at Clines Island, he was the son of the late Thelmo and Imogene Springs Chism. He was employed by Allen Christian Buick in Dexter for 25 years and lived in Dexter and Bloomfield most of his life...

ADVANCE - Dennis Harvey Stevens, 84, died Feb. 26, 2004, at the Advance Nursing Center. Born Nov. 8, 1919, in Bell City, son of the late Matthew and Melinda Nicholson Stevens, he was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II. A member of Bethel General Baptist Church near Advance, he retired from McCabe Powers Body Co., where was a painter for 20 years...

KILLEEN, Texas - Darius Oshea Coleman, 5-month-old child of Gyrone R. Giney and Alicia Coleman, died Feb. 23, 2004, in Texas. Born Sept. 14, 2003, at Temple, she had been in ill health since birth. Survivors in addition to her parents include: her grandparents, Lucille and Larry Coleman of Missouri; and great-grandparents, Odell and Rosie Kent, also of Missouri...

BLOOMFIELD - Dow D. Kingree died Feb. 27, 2004, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau. Arrangements are incomplete at Chiles-Cooper Funeral Home in Bloomfield.