Erma Braswell

SIKESTON — Erma Jean Bodimer Braswell, age 91, of Sikeston died Thursday, Dec. 22, 2022, at Bertrand Nursing and Rehab Center in Bertrand, Missouri.

She was born Sept. 9, 1931, in St. Louis, Missouri, to Benjamin Albert Bodimer Sr. and Nellie Elizabeth Kay Bodimer. In her early years, she served as a Southern Bell switchboard operator. After moving to Sikeston, she worked for several other companies. She was the secretary for their family-owned business, Braswell Electric and Water Service. She also worked for the Standard Democrat newspaper, Schumacher Financial Services and for a brief time at Clayton Farm Services.

She was a member of the Elks Lodge and Red Hat Society. She served as President of Beta Sigma Phi. She also spent many years involved in Sikeston Little Theatre, along with husband, Earl; son, Ben; and granddaughter, Adrienne. They were also members of the First United Methodist Church of Sikeston.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her son, Benjamin.

She is survived by her husband, Earl; daughters, Jennifer Mather of Oklahoma, Nancy Brookins of Florida and Nola Chadd of Sikeston; grandson, Christian Jacobs of Sikeston; granddaughter, Adrienne of Weldon Spring, Missouri; and great-grandchildren, Austin, Lindsay, and Cole of Weldon Spring.

Her smile and spunky personality will be greatly missed. If you were fortunate enough to know her, you were also fortunate enough to care for her. She made it impossible not to. She will be truly missed.

The family will receive friends from noon until time for memorial services at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 18, 2023, at the McMikle Funeral Home in Sikeston.

Interment will be private.

McMikle Funeral Home of Sikeston is in charge of arrangements.