Betty Wade

CAIRO, Ill. -- Betty Jean Wade, 72, of Cairo died Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2005, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.

She was born Nov. 14, 1932, in Cairo, daughter of Calvin and Bessie Johnson. She and Earl E. Wade were married Dec. 7, 1948, in Cairo. He died Nov. 16, 1998.

Wade was a teacher in the Cairo School District several years. She was a member of First Missionary Baptist Church and had served as church clerk and secretary.

She was a former worthy matron of Bethsheba Chapter 15 Order of Eastern Star; registrar of deeds of Calantha Gage City Court 17; education committee chairman of Grand Court of Calantha, state of Illinois; treasurer of Bagdad Court 111 Daughters of Isis, loyal lady ruler of Order of Golden Circle, princess of Order of Omar, and illustrious commandress of the United Supreme Council Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Free Masonry of the Northern Jurisdiction, USA Inc.

Survivors include two sons, Clark Wade of Peoria, Ill., Torre Wade of Nashville, Tenn.; a sister, Ruth Mayfield of Cairo; three brothers, William Johnson of Columbus, Ohio, James Johnson of Jackson, Miss., Thomas Johnson of Chicago; five grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, five brothers and three sisters.

Friends may call at Heavenly Gates Funeral Home in Cairo from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Monday at First Missionary Baptist Church, with the Rev. Darryl Cox officiating. Burial will be in National Cemetery at Mound City, Ill.