Doris Till
Doris M. Till died Wednesday, May 8, 2002, at University Hospital. She was 59.
Mrs. Till was born in Columbia on March 11, 1943, to Glenn W. and Maryan Winn Frink. She attended Hallsville High School and married Elbert Till in Hallsville on Nov. 26, 1970.
She graduated from high school in 1961, three years before her last supervisor, the director of MU's budget, Jim Bunton, who said she was the best administrative assistant one could have. Bunton worked with Mrs. Till for eight years.
"Every day, she brought with her to the office a level of professionalism, talent and care that makes everyone around her successful. I'll miss having that motivation in my office," Bunton said. He said Mrs. Till was diagnosed with lung cancer three years ago. The cancer was removed but a recurrence was recently discovered.
"I was happy to help her through this painful time even though her passing was an absolute shock to all of us," Bunton said.
Mrs. Till was a member of the Hallsville United Methodist Church.
She is survived by her husband; one son, Trevor Till, of Columbia; a brother, Robert Frink, of Quincy, Ill.; two nieces and a nephew. Her parents died earlier.
Visitation will be held today from 6 to 8 p.m. at Memorial Funeral Home, 1217 Business Loop 70 W. Services, conducted by the Rev. Tom Adams, will be 1 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery.
Memorials may be sent to the Hallsville United Methodist Church Building Fund, 134 Highway 00 E., Hallsville, Mo. 65255 or to the American Cancer Society, 33 E. Broadway, Suite 100, Columbia, Mo. 65203.
Ella DeMoss
Ella DeMoss of Columbia died Monday, May 6, 2002, at Columbia Manor Care. She was 93.
Miss DeMoss was born Feb. 23, 1909, in Columbia to Eva Baker.
Miss DeMoss graduated from Douglass High School. She worked as a nurse at the University Hospital. She was also a member of the Second Baptist Church in Columbia.
Narcissia Washington, Miss DeMoss's niece, said she has warm memories of her.
"She was a very lovely person, very lovely," Washington said. "She was always kind and nice to people."
Visitation for Miss DeMoss will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. today at Warren Funeral Chapel, 12 E. Ash St. The Rev. Donald R. McNeal will conduct services at 1 p.m. today, also at Warren Funeral Chapel. Burial service will be at Memorial Park Cemetery.
Miss DeMoss is survived by her niece, Narcissia Washington of Columbia; her great-niece, Rose Marie Saunders of Chicago; her great-nephews, William Montell Washington of Kansas City, Freddie Simmons, Paul Simmons, Thomas Simmons and Ricky Simmons; and several cousins and friends.
Donna Crockett
After six years on the City Council, she was known for her straightforwardness, for speaking plainly and for her use of common sense. Her family cherished her selflessness and love of children.
Donna Crockett, former Third Ward councilwoman, died Monday evening at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis from complications following a successful bone marrow transplant. She was 59.
Crockett served on the Columbia council from 1994 to 2001. Crockett battled myelodysplasia, a rare blood disease, for 10 years.
"She prided herself on what she would call a common sense approach to doing things, and, as a result, the city was better," said former councilman Rex Campbell. Crockett served with Campbell all six years on the council.
Crockett's passions weren't confined to politics. Bill Crockett, her husband, called his wife a "Christmas fiend." Bill Nixon, her brother, remembers her fondness for everything Christmas.
"Her house looked like a Macy's department store," Nixon said. "One year, she had 14 decorated Christmas trees in our house."
Nixon said Crockett was as devoted to her family as she was to every other aspect of life.
"Donna could get more done in 10 minutes than most people could do in a day," Nixon said. Nixon said Crockett showed strength in the face of her disease.
"She had a lot of will power. We were always taught no matter what you did you can always go a little further."
Mary McCleary Posner, Crockett's friend, said she is mourning for a woman who always stood up for what she believed in.
"Very often she was a breath of fresh air."
Donna Crockett was born April 12, 1943, in St. Louis to Sherman and Marie Nixon. She married Bill Crockett on Oct. 26, 1963. She was a graduate of Auxvasse High School and worked for MFA Insurance in Columbia from 1960 until her children were born. While working as a stay-at-home mom, she operated her own typing service and then returned to work as a bookkeeper for Buchroeder's Jewelers in 1974. In 1986, she joined her husband in the family business, Crockett Engineering Consultants, where she served as bookkeeper and general manager until her death.
Besides her commitment to the City Council, Crockett was also active with community organizations and fund-raisers. She was a member of Forum Boulevard Christian Church.
She is survived by her husband, Bill Crockett; two daughters, Tamara Crockett of Hallsville and Teresa Crockett of Cumberland, Wisc.; a son and daughter-in-law, Tim and Julie Crockett of Columbia; mother, Marie Nixon of Auxvasse; two brothers, Bill Nixon of Columbia and Richard Nixon of Boonville; a sister, Diane Chancellor of Columbia; seven nephews and one niece. Her father and her sister Deborah Graves died earlier.
Visitation for Donna Crockett will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. today at Forum Boulevard Christian Church, 3900 Forum Blvd. Services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday at Forum Boulevard Christian Church. Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery. The family asks that contributions be made to the new Donna Crockett Children's Aid Fund in care of First National Bank and Trust Co., 801 E Broadway, Columbia, Mo. 65201.
Mildred Kemper
Mildred Kemper started writing the story of her life when she was young.
After eight decades as a gardener, genealogist, accomplished cook, champion dog breeder and caring mother, Mrs. Kemper's autobiography fills close to 100 pages.
Mrs. Kemper of Columbia died Sunday, May 5, 2002, at Boone Retirement Center. She was 87.
Mrs. Kemper was born Nov. 19, 1914, in Boone County to Walter and Sarah "Sallie" Ann Fortney Rader. On Feb 3, 1934, she married Glenn Kemper in Columbia. She worked at Noyes Hospital, a part of the university, from 1935 to 1939 and at Arcel Garment Factory from 1955 to 1957.
"She was a wonderful seamstress," her daughter Carolyn Kemper said. "She made all our clothes when we were young, even fancy little dresses with ruffles."
When her daughter Kay's Pekingese had puppies, Mrs. Kemper began a successful career as a dog breeder, traveling and showing her dogs all over the Midwest.
"We probably had 40 dogs in the kennel at one time," Carolyn Kemper said. "She was constantly raising them and shipping them all over the U.S."
By 1960, Mrs. Kemper had established Kemhaven Kennels on her family's farm. Even after tendinitis forced her to sell her prize-winning Pekingese in 1971, she boarded dogs at her kennel for another seven years.
Along with her dogs, Mrs. Kemper loved genealogy.
"She liked doing the research, finding out about our ancestors and their stories," Carolyn Kemper said.
In 1985, Mrs. Kemper finished a Kemper genealogy extending back eight generations in Germany and America. It turned out to be 110 pages long, spiral-bound and indexed.
Mrs. Kemper was a member of Red Top Christian Church in Hallsville for 55 years.
Family was important to Mrs. Kemper.
"She was a dear, loving mother," Carolyn Kemper said.
Visitation for Mrs. Kemper will be from 7 to 9 p.m. today at Memorial Funeral Home, 1217 Business Loop 70 W. Services, conducted by the Rev. Joe Kline, will be at
3 p.m. Thursday at Memorial Funeral Home. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery.
She is survived by three daughters, Kay Mitchell of Springfield, Mo., Marilyn Sunderland of Riverton, Utah and Carolyn Kemper of Columbia; four grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
Her husband, two sons, a daughter, three brothers and one sister died earlier.
Claudine D. Haefling
Claudine Denise Haefling will be remembered as a loving family member and an avid bingo player, her husband said.
Mrs. Haefling of Columbia died Sunday, May 5, 2002, in her home of complications from breast cancer. She was 41.
"She was just an all-around loving and caring person," Harvey Haefling, her husband, said. "She'd do anything for anybody. She will be missed."
Mrs. Haefling was born Sept. 9, 1960, in Texas County, Mo., to Charles and Martha Shields. She married Harvey Haefling on March 25, 1996, in Arkansas.
One of her favorite pastimes was bingo.
"She loved to play," her husband said. "We used to go together all of the time."
Visitation for Mrs. Haefling will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Nilson Funeral Home, 5611 St. Charles Road. Services, conducted by the Rev. Art Barkey, will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at Nilson Funeral Home.
Mrs. Haefling is survived by her husband; her mother, Martha Shields of Columbia; two sons, Kenneth Frueh and Charles Garrett, both of Columbia; a brother, Roy Shields of Columbia; two sisters, Tammy Noftsger of Harrisburg and Roxie Adair of Fulton; three stepsons, Scott Haefling, David Haefling and Danny Haefling, all of Columbia; and two grandchildren.
Memorials can be sent to the Haefling family, c/o Nilson Funeral Home, 5611 St. Charles Road, Columbia, Mo. 65201 or the Cancer Research Center, 3501 Berrywood Drive, Columbia, Mo. 65201.
Medrese A. Lynes
Medrese Anne Lynes of Columbia died Sunday, May 5, 2002, at Boone Hospital Center. She was 83.
Mrs. Lynes was born on Sept. 22, 1918, in Boonville to Joseph and Sophie Schuster Sena. She married Joseph Lynes in Boonville. She was a floral designer and bookkeeper for Mueller's and Nowell's floral shops for 40 years. She was a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church.
Visitation for Mrs. Lynes will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 903 Bernadette Drive, with a prayer service at 7 p.m. Services, conducted by the Rev. Michael Flanagan, will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at the church. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery.
Mrs. Lynes is survived by a son, Joseph Alan Lynes of New York City; three daughters, Patricia Moyle and her husband, Frank, both of Rolla, and Sandra Whitesides and her husband, Randy, both of Columbia, and Joanne Lynes of Denver, Colo.; four grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Her husband and two sisters died earlier.
Memorials may be sent to Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 903 Bernadette Drive, Columbia, Mo. 65201.
J.P. 'Roger' LaCasse
J.P. "Roger" LaCasse of Columbia died Monday, May 6, 2002, at West Village Manor. He was 81.
Mr. LaCasse was born Feb. 26, 1921, in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, to Henry Joseph and Ruth Ann Miller LaCasse. He married Lula Grace in August 1948 and lived most of his life in Columbia, where he owned and operated Elmtree Store and several Texaco stations.
Mr. LaCasse was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 280, American Legion and Eagles Lodge.
Visitation for Mr. LaCasse will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Parker Funeral Service, 22 N Tenth St. Services, conducted by the Rev. Robert C. Vegiard, will be at 1:30 p.m. Thursday at Parker Funeral Service. Burial will be at Columbia Cemetery.
Mr. LaCasse is survived by his wife, Lula May LaCasse of Columbia; two daughters, Leilani LaCasse and Lana Peterman, both of Columbia; one son, William LaCasse of Osage Beach; eight grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
One brother and one grandson died earlier.
Memorials may be sent to the charity of the donor's choice.
Gueldine Hobbs
Though Gueldine Hobbs only had four children, several people knew her as their mother.
"To all of my friends, she was 'mom,' and to all of her grandchildren's friends she was 'grandma,'" Mrs. Hobbs' daughter Margaret Turner said. "If anyone ever stopped by, she'd always invite them to a meal."
Mrs. Hobbs, of Boonville, died Saturday, May 4, 2002, at Boone Hospital Center. She was 73.
Turner said her mother's warmth made her friendly and accessible to family members and to others in the community.
"She was very easy to talk to," Turner said. "She would listen and give advice and most of the time they would listen."
Mrs. Hobbs was born July 19, 1928, in Boonville to Henry and Beulah Wright Crittenden.
She married William P. Hobbs on Dec. 13, 1948. She attended Sumner High School, and in 1966, she received a nursing certificate from the American Institute of Nursing.
Turner said her mother's compassion often went toward children. When she could, Mrs. Hobbs would offer help at St. Matthew A.M.E. Church, of which she was a member.
"Whenever they had an event, she was willing to bake cakes or pies or whatever they needed," Turner said.
Turner said her mother also listened to high school football games on the radio to follow students she knew.
"She was interested in the kids and followed their careers," Turner said.
Mrs. Hobbs is survived by a son, William Hobbs of Boonville; three daughters, Margaret Ann Turner of Normal, Ill., Beulah Hobbs of Boonville and Vonneva Parkins of Margate, Fla.; two sisters, Margaret Williams and Carol Sue Crittenden, both of Boonville; 10 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Her husband, one sister and three brothers died earlier.
Friends may call from 5 to 7 p.m. today at the H.T. May and Son Funeral Home, 405 Sycamore St., in Boonville. Services will be held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday at the St. Matthew A.M.E. Church, 309 Spruce St., Boonville. Burial will be in the Sunset Hill Cemetery.
Brian Ward Dickinson
Diagnosed in December 1992 with Lou Gehrig's disease, Brian Ward Dickinson, a columnist with the Providence (R.I.) Journal Bulletin, was left with only the use of his eyes. Assisted by computer devices and his family, Mr. Dickinson surpassed the usual 5-year life expectancy of sufferers of the disease and continued to write his column.
Mr. Dickinson, a graduate of University High School in Columbia, died at his home in East Greenwich, R.I., Saturday, May 4, 2002. He was 64.
Mr. Dickinson was born Sept. 28, 1937, in Chicago to Leon T. and Margaret Stewart Dickinson.
"Brian always looked back on his days in Columbia with great fondness," his stepmother, Carolyn Dickinson, said. "He was much loved and admired by friends and family."
Mr. Dickinson graduated from Harvard University in 1959 and earned a master's degree in political science from Brown University. The Journal Bulletin hired Mr. Dickinson as a reporter in 1964, and he joined the newspaper's editorial staff in 1972.
During the past few years, Mr. Dickinson refused to be defeated by his condition. He used a system that focused a small camera on his eye, tracked its movements and allowed him to select one letter at a time. This process would often take 10 hours or more to write about 800 words.
In 1999, when he was presented with an honorary degree at Brown University, he shared the stage with astronaut John Glenn, filmmaker Steven Spielberg and Queen Noor of Jordan.
Mr. Dickinson is survived by his father, Leon Dickinson, and stepmother, Carolyn Dickinson, both of Columbia; his wife, Barbara, of East Greenwich.; three sons, Andrew Dickinson and Matthew Dickinson of Warwick, R.I., and Jonathan Dickinson of New York; two sisters, Marjorie Stewartof Berkeley, Calif., and Catherine Nordmann of St. Louis; and two grandchildren, Jacob Dickinson and Sarah Dickinson of Warwick.
A private family burial was held in East Greenwich, and a memorial service will be scheduled.
Donations may be sent to the Brian Dickinson College Fund at the ALS Association of Rhode Island, 2845 Post Road, Suite 110, Warwick, RI 02886.
Ilene Janice Anderson
No matter where Ilene Janice Anderson traveled, whether it was Germany or Holland, she always made sure family members received cards on their birthdays. And if family members had a dispute, she would intervene.
"If two of her siblings were spatting, she would call them both and get them to make up," said her daughter, Corrine McCune.
Ilene Janice Anderson, of Hallsville, died Sunday, May 5, 2002, at Boone Hospital Center. She was 62.
For anniversaries, Mrs. Anderson would always buy the right traditional gift. For McCune's first anniversary, Mrs. Anderson gave her lots of paper products.
"She bought me tons of paper towels and toilet paper," McCune said. "I said, 'thank you, mom.' I really needed this."
Mrs. Anderson was born July 26, 1939, in Alfred, N.D. to Henry and Ardina Radach Presler. On Sept. 30, 1962, she married Maynard Anderson in Alfred. Mrs. Anderson was a cook for Hallsville schools for 20 years.
Visitation for Mrs. Anderson will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Memorial Funeral Home, 1217 Business Loop 70 W. Services, conducted by the Rev. Dave Benson, will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Campus Lutheran Church, 304 S. College Ave.
She is survived by her husband; two sons, Brian L. Anderson of Columbia and Rodney L. Anderson of El Paso, Texas; a daughter, Corrine L. McCune of Hallsville; four brothers, Vernon Presler and Allan Presler, both of Kulm, N.D., Wallace Presler of East Wenatchee, Wash., and Elmer Presler of Dryden, Wash; two sisters, Lintena Fauth of Wapato, Wash., and Deanna Zenker of Gackle, N.D.; five grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
Memorials may be sent to Woodhaven Learning Center, 1405 Hathman Place, Columbia, MO 65201.
Elmer L. Palmer
Elmer L. Palmer died Friday, May 3, 2002, at Boone Hospital Center in Columbia. He was 79.
Mr. Palmer was born June 7, 1922, in Columbia, to Henry and Mary Rawlings Palmer. On June 13, 1948, he married Mary Ann Ott in Columbia.
Mr. Palmer served with the U.S. Navy in the Pacific during World War II. He was employed with Pepsi-Cola Bottling in Columbia for 54 years. Mr. Palmer was a member of Wilkes Boulevard United Methodist Church, the Methodist Men's Club, the American Legion, V.F.W. Post #280, the 32nd degree Masons, and the Shriners.
Visitation for Mr. Palmer will be from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Tuesday at Memorial Funeral Home, 1217 Business Loop 70 W. Services, conducted by the Rev. Michael Keith and the Rev. John Hayes, will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Memorial Funeral Home.
Mr. Palmer is survived by his wife; one daughter, Patricia Bedsworth of Hallsville; two grandchildren, Brian Bedsworth and Tamera Dowling; and five great-grandchildren.
Two brothers, A.C. Palmer and Billy Joe Palmer; and two sisters, Geraldine Ewing and Henrietta Dozier, died earlier.
Memorials may be sent to Wilkes Boulevard United Methodist Church, 702 Wilkes Blvd., Columbia, MO 65201, or to Parkinson Research, APDA Parkinson Center, Box 811, 660 South Euclid, St. Louis, MO 63110.
Linda L. Bernard
Linda L. Bernard of Ashland died Tuesday, April 30, 2002, at Boone Hospital Center. She was 63.
Mrs. Bernard was born on Jan. 8, 1939, to James Elwood and Orilla Nichols of Boone County.
She married Charles W. "Bill" Batye on Feb. 25, 1956, in Boone County. He died earlier.
Mrs. Bernard was employed with MU, University Hospital and Clinics and Columbia Regional Hospital. She was a member of the Southern Boone County Senior Center.
Services, conducted by the Rev. Ruth Lane, will be at 1 p.m. today at Robinson Funeral Home, 601 N. Henry Clay Blvd., in Ashland.
Mrs. Bernard is survived by three daughters, LuAnn Ianke of Columbia, Jan Smith of Boonville and Leesa Ianke of Rocheport; her mother, Orilla Mihlfeld of Ashland; a brother, Jerry Nichols of Ashland; a sister, Barbara Kidwell of Ashland; a granddaughter, Jenna Ianke of Rocheport; and her grandmother, Zilpha Lichte of Ashland.
Her father died earlier.
Memorials may be sent to the Southern Boone County Senior Center, 406 Douglas Drive, Ashland., Mo., 65010 or the National Osteoporosis Foundation, 1232 22nd St. N.W., Washington, D.C. 20037-1292.
Mary T. Hall
Mary Tate Hall of Ashland died Wednesday, May 1, 2002, at Boone Hospital Center. She was 82.
Mrs. Hall was born June 2, 1919, in Columbia to Forrest Tate and Mary Lauderbaugh Tate. She married Nelson Hall on Nov. 15, 1944, in Kansas City.
Mrs. Hall was a member of New Salem Baptist Church in Ashland. She also worked for the Department of Conservation and had been a secretary at the Sporlan Valve Co.
Services, conducted by the Rev. Paul Larimore and the Rev. Stanley Owen, will be at 1 p.m. Monday at Robinson Funeral Home, 601 N. Henry Clay Blvd., in Ashland. Burial will follow at New Salem Cemetery in Ashland.
She is survived by her husband; her son, Larry Hall of Hartsburg; a brother, Forrest Tate of Bella Vista, Ark.; and three sisters, Helen Wren and Erlene Embry, both of Bella Vista, and Virginia Walsh of Jefferson City.
One sister died earlier.
Memorial may be sent to New Salem Baptist Church, U.S. 63, Ashland, Mo. 65010.
Lorena F. Holman
Lorena F. Holman of Columbia died Wednesday, May 1, 2002, at Boone Hospital Center. She was 84.
Mrs. Holman was born March 21, 1918, in Easley to Lloyd and Mabel Dozier.
In 1936, she married Kenneth Roberts in Columbia. Roberts later died. She married Raymond Holman on Nov. 17, 1984, in Miami, Okla.
A Baptist, Mrs. Holman was a volunteer at Boone Retirement Center and a member of the Bowling Hall of Fame.
Graveside services, conducted by the Rev. Don Snyder, were held Saturday at Memorial Park Cemetery.
She is survived by one son, Kenneth Roberts of Arizona; two daughters, Brenda Rickman Werdehausen of Columbia and Gale Johnson of Florida; a step-daughter, Linda Atkins of Columbia; eight grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.
Her husband Raymond Holman, one brother, L.T. Dozier, and one sister, Louise Rice, died earlier.
Memorials may be sent to the American Cancer Society, 33 E. Broadway, Suite 100, Columbia, Mo., 65203; the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 30638, Columbia, Mo., 65205 or the American Lung Association, 1118 Hampton Ave., St. Louis, Mo., 63139, or to any children's organization.
Mildred L. Knox
Mildred L. Knox died Friday, May 3, 2002, at Boone Hospital Center in Columbia. She was 83.
Mrs. Knox lived her entire life in Columbia. She was born on Aug. 26, 1918, in Columbia to Ivie and Bessie Gossett Hutcheson. She married John J. Knox on Oct. 8, 1949, in Columbia.
Mrs. Knox's husband described her as an outgoing woman who loved working in her flower garden. During his 21 years in the military, he said, his wife frequently traveled with him, and England was her favorite place to visit.
Mrs. Knox was the former assistant manager of the Crown Drug Store and later worked at the Glenview Drug Store in Columbia. She was a member of the VFW Auxiliary and the Eagles Lodge Auxiliary. Mr. Knox said the couple enjoyed volunteering at the VFW club on bingo nights six times a month.
Visitation for Mrs. Knox will be from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at Parker Funeral Service, 22 N. Tenth St. Services, conducted by the Rev. Albert J. Oetman, will be at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at Parker Funeral Service.
Mrs. Knox is survived by her husband; one son, Ernest F. Forbis of Indio, Calif.; and several nieces and nephews.
Three sisters died earlier.
Memorials may be sent to the Cancer Research Center, 3501 Berrywood Drive, Columbia, Mo. 65201, or the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 1013, Columbia, Mo. 65205.
Hazel L. Musgrove
Hazel L. Musgrove of Columbia died Wednesday, May 1, 2002, at Heritage Hall in Centralia. She was 68.
Mrs. Musgrove was born May 9, 1933, in Sandgap, Ky., to Fred and Annie Turner Clemmons. She was first married to Robert C. Dole, who later died. In 1988, she married James Henry Musgrove.
Mrs. Musgrove was a member of the Assembly of God Church and worked as a cook in many area establishments.
Mrs. Musgrove is survived by three sons, Robert E. Dole and Danny Lee Dole, both of Columbia, and Kenneth Dole of Marshall; one daughter, Joyce Ann Stratman of Versailles, Mo.; three step-children, Jenifer Musgrove of Hallsville, Brenda Musgrove of Columbia and Jimmy Dale Musgrove of Mexico, Mo.; and 11 grandchildren.
Her husband James Musgrove, two brothers and one sister died earlier.
Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Meador & Son Funeral Home, Sneed and Rollins streets, in Centralia. Visitation will also be held from 9 to 11 a.m. Monday at the funeral home, and services will follow at 11 a.m. Burial will follow at the Columbia Cemetery.
Marie Ray
Marie Powell Lightfoot Ray, formerly of Fayette, died Friday, April 26, 2002, at her home in the Downey Retirement Center in Downey, Calif. She was 94.
Mrs. Ray was born March 21, 1908, in Boone County to William Rush Powell and Lorena Mead Powell. She was educated in the Columbia schools and was employed by MU for many years.
She married John F. Lightfoot Jr. of Fayette, on Aug 15, 1929, in Columbia. He died on July 29, 1963.
Mrs. Ray married Willie Ray of Independence on Aug. 25, 1973, in Fayette. He died on Oct. 6, 1986.
Mrs. Ray joined the Harrisburg Baptist Church at an early age and later became a member of the Linn Memorial United Methodist Church in Fayette.
At her request, no services will be held.
Private burial will be in the Fayette City Cemetery under the direction of Carr-Yager Funeral Home of Fayette.
She is survived by her son, Max Lightfoot of San Francisco; three grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Ray's son, John F. Lightfoot III; her brothers, Madison Powell and Russell Powell; and her sister, Brooksie Grigsby died earlier.
