BESSIE GILLILAND

Bessie Gilliland

MORLEY -- Bessie Leatha Gilliland, 83, of Morley died Tuesday, Oct. 7, 1997, at Clearview Nursing and Rehab Center in Sikeston.

She was born June 20, 1914, at Morley, daughter of John D. and Ava Plunkett Rodgers. She and Miller "Bill" Gilliland were married May 23, 1931, at Morley. He preceded her in death.

Survivors include five sons, Billy Gilliland Sr. of Morley, Henry Gilliland of Hermitage, Robert Gilliland of Warsaw, Leonard Gilliland of Robertsville, David Gilliland of Thayer; six daughters, Geneva Dumay of Cape Girardeau, Jackie Alexander of Whitesville, Mass., Geraldine Colter of Poplar Bluff, Nancy Pruitt of Morley, Janet Blackburn, and Diana Thatcher, all of Sikeston.

She is also survived by a brother, John Rodgers Jr. of Sikeston; two sisters, Leona Schaper and Sylvestia Hunter of Sikeston; 36 grandchildren; 54 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by a son, two brothers, a sister, a grandchild, and a great-grandchild.

Friends may call at Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Sikeston from 5-8 p.m. today.

Funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at the chapel, with the Rev. Larry Davis officiating. Burial will be in New Morley Cemetery.