Chalmer Dockins

SIKESTON - Chalmer A. "Chal" Dockins, 86, died June 27, 2003, at Missouri Delta Medical Center.

Born Aug. 28, 1916, in Malden, son of the late George Franklin and Cora Mae Ballard Dockins, he was a member of Illinois Avenue General Baptist Church. A U.S. Army veteran of World War II, he was a self-employed building contractor for 20 years and owned and operated a car wash business for the last 25 years.

On May 15, 1938, he married Evelyn McClellan Dockins who preceded him in death.

Survivors include: two sons, Melvin Ray Dockins of Cape Girardeau and Norman Lee Dockins of Dallas, Texas; one daughter, Coyita Thomas of Sikeston; one brother, Donald Dockins of St. Louis; three sisters, Mildred Robison and Helen Caruthers of Roxana, Ill., and Ruby "Boots McNail of Ironton; and nine grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

He was also preceded in death by one son, Doug Dockins; one daughter, Rita Dockins; and two brothers and three sisters.

Visitation is from 5 to 8 p.m. today at Ponder Funeral Home, where services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Monday. The Rev. James Trotter, pastor of the Olive Branch General Baptist Church of Essex, will officiate.

Burial will follow in Garden of Memories Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be: Jason Thomas, Matt Dockins, Mel Dockins Jr., Harold Dockins, Ryan Eddy and D.J. Ford.