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Emma VanDuson
JUDSONIA, Ark. — Emma Jean Branum VanDuson, age 92, a resident of Judsonia, formerly of Sikeston, Missouri, died Tuesday, May 17, 2022, in the Unity Health-White County Medical Center in Searcy, Arkansas.
Born Oct. 3, 1929, in Paducah, Kentucky, to Clay Paul and Elsie Marie Edson Clouatre she grew up in Cairo, Illinois. In 1951, she moved to Sikeston where she was a member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church. She worked as a sales clerk at the JC Penny store in Sikeston for several years, but most of her life was dedicated to her family. Emma was a wonderful cook and loved family gatherings. She loved to dance and especially enjoyed her birthday celebrations at Ray’s in Kelso, Missouri, with the music of the Steve McPheeters band. Not only would she see that all her family had at least one dance with her but often included people of nearby tables to dance. In June 2019, she moved to Judsonia, where she lived with her daughter and son-in-law until her death.
On April 17, 1951, she married Billy Branum of Sikeston who preceded her in death Dec. 12, 1970. On Feb. 5, 1976, she married Richard VanDuson who preceded her in death on Oct.17, 2002.
Surviving are one son and daughter-in-law, Bill and Mary Katherine Branum of Charleston, Missouri; two daughters and sons-in-law, Julie and Randy Norman of Judsonia and Mona and Rob Porter of Cape Girardeau, Missouri; one daughter-in-law, Jeanie Branum of Cape Girardeau; six grandchildren, Alisa Haertling, Kristin Drury, Matthew Branum, Jason Porter, Paige Norman and Blake Branum; also, five great-grandchildren, Maddie Norman, Maggie Haertling, Ben Haertling, Claire Drury, and Maverick Porter.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one son, Gregory Clay Branum.
The family will conduct a Memorial Service at a later date. Arrangements under the direction of McMikle Funeral Home in Sikeston.
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Memorial Contributions may be given to St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 245 West Front St., Sikeston, MO 63801.