Eva Bleakley

CRYSTAL CITY - Eva Lefler Bleakley, 94, formerly of Dexter, died April 25, 2002, at the Crystal Oaks Skilled Nursing Center in Crystal City.

Born Dec. 31, 1907, in Lilbourn, daughter of the late George and Lucy Lee Boatwright Barnes, she lived in Hayti before moving to Dexter in 1946 and was of the Baptist belief. She owned and operated a restaurant in Dexter and had been employed by Elder Manufacturing.

On Jan. 20, 1923, in New Madrid, she married Wilson R. Lefler who preceded her in death on Dec. 31, 1968. She married Ralph Bleakley in 1980 and he also preceded her in death.

Survivors include: three sons, Larry Lefler of Ste. Genevieve, Jerry Lefler of Malden and Bill Lefler of Hemet, Calif.; four daughters, Beulah Adams and Betty Sloan of Flint, Mich., Dorothy Valek of Hemet and June Davis of Pevely; and 30 grandchildren, 55 great-grandchildren and 11 great-great-grandchildren.

Also preceding her in death were one daughter, Louella Lefler; two sons, Wilson Lefler Jr. and Richard Lefler; and one brother, Edward Barnes.

Visitation is from 5 to 8 p.m. today at Watkins and Sons Funeral Home in Dexter where services are scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday. The Rev. Kenneth Biggs of Dexter will officiate.

Burial will follow in the Hagy Cemetery in Dexter.