Ella Wilkins

CAPE GIRARDEAU - Ella Mae Branum Wilkins, 97, formerly of Hornersville, died Dec. 2, 2001, in Cape Girardeau.

Born Jan. 22, 1904, in Hornersville, daughter of the late William H. and Ruth Underwood Branum, she was a teacher for nearly 50 years in the area before retiring. She had taught in Sikeston, Campbell, Hornersville, Holland and Charleston.

A member of the First United Methodist Church in Hornersville, she was also a member of the Retired Teachers Association, Missouri State Teachers Association and the Order of the Eastern Star.

On Dec. 25, 1926, she married Thomas R. Wilkins who preceded her in death on July 4, 1981.

Survivors include: one daughter, Elizabeth Marshall of Benton; one sister, Alice Snider of Malden; four grandchildren, Jane Gaffigan of Cape Girardeau, Kathleen Menz of Chaffee, Faith Welker of Arnold and J. Mark Marshall of Cape Girardeau; and three great-grandchildren, Christopher Menz, Ryan Marshall, and Katelyn Menz.

She was also preceded in death by five brothers, Peter V. Branum, Louie Branum, James Albert Branum, Clarence Branum and Milton Branum; and four sisters, Lillie Kennett, Emma Dunnaway, Betty Edmunds and Bessie Bohannan.

Friends may call after 6 p.m. today at the Emerson Bradshaw Funeral Home in Hornersville, where an Eastern Star service is scheduled for 7 p.m.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the First United Methodist Church in Hornersville.

Burial will follow in the Horner Cemetery in Hornersville.