Mary Owensby

MEXICO, Mo. - Mary Catherine Dill Owensby, 81, formerly of East Prairie, died Aug. 19, 2003, at the Missouri Veterans Home in Mexico.

Born July 26, 1922, at Huntington, Tenn., daughter of the late Isiah Earl and Birchard Bennett Dill, she graduated from East Prairie High School in 1941 and was a member of the First Christian Church in East Prairie. After graduating, she was a teacher in the James Bayou School near East Prairie. She joined the U.S. Navy as a Wave during World War II and was stationed in Washington, D.C.

On Feb. 5, 1945, at Falls Church, Va., she married Cline Owensby who preceded her in death on Oct. 31, 1992.

Survivors include: two daughters, Clinetta Lewis of Montgomery City and Deborah Ann Steuer of Atlanta, Ga.; four grandsons and two granddaughters-in-law, Bryan Albers and David Albers of Des Peres, Jerred and Amy Weston of Jackson, Ga., and Christopher and Dina Weston of Acworth, Ga.; and two great-grandchildren, William Cline Weston of Jackson, Ga., and Kathryn Elizabeth Weston of Acworth; and several nieces and nephews.

One brother, William "Buddy" Dill and two sisters, Corine Dick and Earlene Fugate, preceded her in death.

Visitation begins at 5 p.m. today at Shelby Funeral Home in East Prairie, where services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday with Fred Girdwood, officiating.

Burial will follow in the Dogwood Cemetery near East Prairie.

Paid obituary