Josie Eckles

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.

On Sept. 13, 1948, she married Josh Boyd Sr.

She and Henry Eckles were married Aug. 27, 1979, and he preceded her in death.

Survivors include: three sons, Josh Boyd Jr. and Moses Boyd of Sikeston and Aron Boyd of Springfield, Ill.; five daughters, Brenda Sue Grant, Laura Boyd and Stephanie Boyd Price of Sikeston and Sherry Ann Boyd and Linda Jean Boyd of Springfield, Ill.; six stepsons, Hosea Gladney, W.C. Eckles and Joe Eckles of Memphis, Tenn., Henry Eckles Jr. of St. Louis and Mike Eckles and Joseph Eckles of Sikeston; three stepdaughters, Prince B. Gibson and Vercie Redd of St. Louis and Ennise Eckles of Sikeston; and 40 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren.

Visitation is from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Cornerstone Baptist Church, where services are scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday. The Rev. Major Lucious, pastor of St. John Missionary Baptist Church, will officiate.

Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery in Sikeston.

Williams-Farr and Purnell Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.