Anna Belle McGraw

Anna Belle Brock McGraw, 94, of Cape Girardeau, formerly of Portageville, Missouri, passed away Friday, Feb. 24, 2017, at her home, surrounded by her family.

She was born Sept. 11, 1922, in Scrub Ridge, Missouri, daughter of Dawson Crit and Hattie Ellis Brock. She and V.A. McGraw were married Feb. 17, 1945, in Piggott, Arkansas. He passed away Dec. 28, 1979.

Anna Belle worked on the family farm alongside her husband for many years in Portageville. She later became the owner of the Portageville Cloth Shop. She was a gifted seamstress, making garments not only for her family but for many other patrons. She also made alterations for the local dry cleaner. Even though she continued sewing, she also became a member of the Experienced Works Program where she was first employed by the Portageville Community Center, Police Department and Portageville School District.

After finally retiring in 2006, Anna moved to Cape Girardeau to be with her daughter and son-in-law. Anna Belle was a member of Lynwood Baptist Church where she enjoyed substituting as a teacher for her Sunday-school class. She also was active in the sewing group and crochet group at Lynwood until health issues prevented her from participating.

Loving survivors include two daughters, Dr. Martha McGraw of Fredericktown, Missouri, and Marilyn Morgan (Gene) of Cape Girardeau; and two sisters, Thelma Brock Koscak of Springfield, Missouri, and Barbara Craft of Austin, Texas. Also surviving are three grandchildren, Jason (Kelly) Morgan of Jacksonville, Florida, Dr. Justin (Dr. Kirti Patel) Morgan of Tupelo, Mississippi, and Jonathan (Tammy) Morgan of Cape Girardeau; four great-grandchildren, Grace, Annabell, Leena and Kiran Morgan; Zachary Edmonds that she loved as a great-grandchild; as well as many nieces, nephews and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; four brothers, Odell, Cleatus, Johnny and Wayne Brock; and two sisters, Mary Blythe and Louise Kellams.

Friends may call from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday at McCombs Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau.

The funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Kevin Coffee officiating. Interment will be with graveside rites at 2 p.m. Tuesday in Portageville Cemetery.

Memorials may take the form of contributions to Crown Hospice, 2858 Professional Court, Cape Girardeau, MO 63703.

Online condolence messages may be sent to the family by visiting www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.

Local arrangements by McCombs Funeral Home.