Bernice Wooten

SIKESTON -- Bernice Irene Wooten, 98, died March 7, 2017, at her residence in Sikeston.

Born Sept. 12, 1918, in Carterville to the late Edward and Etta Jane Graham Jackson, she had worked as a sewing machine operator in a shirt factory and then served as a pastor's wife and church organist for over 67 years including at Praise Assembly (formerly Eastside) in Springfield, Campbell, Kansas City, First Assembly in Sikeston, St. Louis, Terre Haute, Shreveport and Sullivan and was the founder of Women's Aglow in Sikeston. About five years ago, she moved back to Sikeston and was a member of Trinity Gospel Church. She had also attended nursing school in St. Louis, became a nursing home administrator and owned a nursing home for 34 years

On Nov. 19, 1939, in Springfield, she married the Rev. Loren Wooten, who preceded her in death on Sept. 14, 2006.

Survivors include: two daughters and sons-in-law, Jeanene and the Rev. Gaylon Vinson of Springfield and Judy and the Rev. Len Meyers of Sikeston; five grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until time of services at 11 a.m. Saturday at Trinity Gospel Church, 901Davis Blvd., in Sikeston. Her sons-in-law, the Rev. Gaylon Vinson and the Rev. Len Meyers will officiate.

Visitation is scheduled from 1-2 p.m. Monday at the Praise Assembly at 3535 N. Glenstone in Springfield with her sons-in-law officiating again.

Burial will follow at 3 p.m. at White Chapel Cemetery under the direction of Blanchard Funeral Chapel.

Pallbearers will be: Kendall Vinson, Leonard Meyers III, Randy Coley, Reese Coley, Phillip Woods, Anthony Ware, Gabriel Ware, Al Pulis, David Linkswiler and Gene Schacterle.

Online condolences may be shared with the family at blanchardfuneral.com.