Vern Rigsby

SIKESTON - Maurice Laverne "Vern" Rigsby, 74, died at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 18, 2002, at the Clearview Nursing Center.

Born Feb. 26, 1928, in Indiana, son of the late James and Gertrude Rigsby, he was a member of the New Hope Baptist Church. A retail store manager, he had owned and operated dimestores in Dexter and Bloomfield. He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War.

On Oct. 8, 1948, at Angola, Ind., he married Barbara Lee Tackitt who preceded him in death on May 15, 2002.

Survivors include: one son and daughter-in-law, Ron and Tammy Rigsby of Anderson, S.C.; one daughter and son-in-law, Linda and Roger Suedekum of Cape Girardeau; and four grandchildren, Jamie Suedekum and Kelly Suedekum of Cape Girardeau and Rodney and Erica Rigsby and Brant Rigsby of Anderson, S.C.

Two sisters also preceded him in death.

Visitation is from 5 to 7 p.m. today at Blanchard Funeral Chapel, where services are scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday. The Rev. Matthew Butrum, pastor of New Hope Baptist Church, will officiate.

Burial will follow in Cape County Memorial Park Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be: Tim Chappell, Eric Chappell, Robert Cooper, Herb Majors, David Jackson and Kenny Riddle Sr.

John Butrum will serve as honorary pallbearer.