Edna Deere

PORTAGEVILLE, Mo. -- Edna Mae Deere was born Jan. 2, 1927, in Portageville, to Vivan and Daisy Downing.

She passed on Monday, Sept. 11, 2017, at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau at the age of 90 years. She and Edward Deere were married in 1949 in Hayward.

Preceding her in death were her husband; her parents; daughter, Janet Deere; son, Dr. James Deere; and brothers, Eugene, Joyce, Wayne, Terry and Dwight Downing.

She leaves to cherish her many memories: children Mary Kay Davis of New Madrid, Dennis (JoAnn) of Cape Girardeau, Steve Deere of New Madrid and daughter-in-law Sheilah Deere of Sikeston; grandchildren Jana (Andy) Lamanna of Memphis, Jaime (Will) Motter of New Madrid, Travis (Taylor) Deere of Sikeston, Jason (Katherine) Deere of Atlanta, Dr. Brad (Lekha) Deere of New Orleans, Justin Deere of Memphis, Jessica Deere of St. Paul, Minn., Evan Deere of Austin, Texas, Andrew (Stephanie) Deere of Caruthersville and Deanna Deere of Memphis; great-grandchildren, Drew and Jewelya Deere of Caruthersville, John Corbett and Maren Lamanna of Memphis, Mary Ellis and Davis Motter of New Madrid, Samuel and Thomas Deere of Sikeston, Whitman Deere of Atlanta, and Mira Deere of New Orleans; sisters Maxine Cutshalts, Linda Rowe, brother Larry Downing; and sisters-in-law Jewell Burgess, Betty Downing and Lorene Downing.

A longtime educator, Edna graduated in 1973 from Southeast Missouri State University. She taught for more than 25 years at Scott School, Portageville Elementary and New Madrid Elementary. She and her husband also owned and operated TeRoy Motel in Portageville for over 30 years. Edna impacted many lives in her work with the Portageville United Methodist Church, serving as ad council member, trustee and Sunday school teacher. She was also a member and president of the United Methodist Women, was a member and officer of the local chapter of the Eastern Star, and a Girl Scout leader. Watching the St. Louis Cardinals was her favorite pastime, as well as attending sporting and school events of her grandchildren.

Friends may call Friday, Sept. 15 at the Portageville United Methodist Church from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., with the service following at 1 p.m.

Burial will follow in the Portageville Cemetery.

DeLisle Funeral Home of Portageville is in charge of arrangements.

For those who wish to give a memorial, the family suggests contributions to the United Methodist Church in Portageville.

Paid obituary