CARMEN BELOW

Carmen Marie Brennecke Below, 80, formerly of Delta, Mo., died on Jan. 8, 2000, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau.

She was born May 30, 1919, near Jackson, Mo., the daughter of Joseph "Joe" Henry Brennecke and Cora Chostner Brennecke. She married James Roscoe Below on Aug. 18, 1939. He died Feb. 28, 1977.

Survivors include five children and their spouses: Samuel Allen Below of Delta; Martha Ann Below Dalton and husband, Darris, of Jackson; James J. Below and wife, Susie, of Cape Girardeau; Mary Lou Below Dobron and husband, Mike, of Springfield, Ill.; and George R. Below and wife, Deborah, of Hillsboro. She had 15 grandchildren: Scarlet Below Dittlinger; Allen, Samuel Aaron, Rebecca, Jim, Lynn, Tim, Kimberly, Andrew and Ryan Below; Lauren and Erica Quandahl; and Mark, David and Lesley Dalton. She also had nine great-grandchildren: Houston, Alanis, Allie, Nick, Jake and Marianna Below; Connor Dittlinger; and Brent and Samantha Dalton. She was also survived by a sister, Doris Davault of Jackson.

Carmen was a member of the First Baptist Church of Delta for over 50 years (helped change the name to First Baptist), served on many committees including being the church clerk, taught both youth and women's classes for 40 years or more, was past president and member of WMU and led many programs in the church.

Mrs. Below was past regent of John Guild Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution, Southeast District Director and a state chairman of the Missouri State Society DAR. She was also a past worthy matron and 50-year member of the Whitewater Chapter Order of the Eastern Star, member and officer of the Delta Homemakers Association and the Retired Teachers Association.

Carmen received her B.S. degree in education from Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau in 1941 and her master's degree in education in 1961 from the University of Missouri-Columbia. She later earned additional education from Southeast Missouri State University that qualified her to be a high school principal.

Carmen began her teaching career in a two-room elementary school in Allenville where she taught two years. Her remaining 26 years were in high school. She taught business subjects one year at Zalma, one at Morley, 15 at Delta and served nine years as principal at Delta High School.

She was the first woman to belong to the SEMO Association of Secondary Principals. She used her experience as a talented high school basketball player in the mid-1930s to coach girls' basketball and volleyball. She also directed class plays, was class sponsor (accompanying students to many cities and states), was yearbook and newspaper sponsor, FBLA sponsor, a member of the PTA and entered and accompanied very successful students to district and state business contests. Mrs. Below was also instrumental in organizing the local A.P.S.L. program for children with learning difficulties, serving as its first president.

Carmen retired from teaching in the spring of 1974 and in May 1975 was honored with a banquet where a "This Is Your Life" program, arranged by R. Glen Jones, retired teacher of Delta School, was presented.

Friends may call at Ford and Sons Funeral Home on Mount Auburn Road, Cape Girardeau, from 4 to 8 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 9, 2000.

The Rev. Ron Schrum will conduct the services at 2 p.m., Monday, Jan. 10 at the First Baptist Church at Delta. Burial will be in Memorial Park, Cape Girardeau.

Memorials may be made to the Alzheimers Association and the American Cancer Society.