Charlene 'Sis' Scheper

Charlene Ann "Sis" Scheper, 54, of Jackson passed away Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017, at Heartland Care and Rehab in Cape Girardeau, surrounded by her loving family.

She was born April 14, 1963, in Cape Girardeau to Clayton "Shep" and Katherine Crawford Scheper.

Raised in Jackson, she was a member of First Baptist Church and was a 1981 graduate of Jackson High School. She earned a cosmetology license from the former Cape Beauty School, and previously worked at Hair Repair in Cape Girardeau. Charlene had a special flair for wearing fashionable garments well before they became popular in the Midwest. Her family calls her a fashionista and often referred to her as "Prissy Sissy."

Charlene especially enjoyed being with children, and her longterm goal was to work in a profession that helped them. Unfortunately, she wasn't able to see her aspirations come to fruition, as in 1984, she suffered traumatic brain injuries from a tragic car accident. Through her many challenges, she still was able to touch the lives of many people. She resided four years in hospitals and rehab facilities, eight years at home and 16 years at Winning Wheels in Prophetstown, Illinois. The past five years, she was able to reside near her Jackson home, at Heartland Care and Rehab in Cape Girardeau, where she enjoyed many friendships and was affectionately known as "Charlie." A few months ago, she began a battle with breast cancer, which metastasized to other organs and bones before the Lord called her home.

Loving survivors include her parents, Clayton and Kathy Scheper of Jackson; two sisters, Sheryl Scheper of Bardstown, Kentucky, and Christy (Troy) Martin of Jackson; seven nieces and nephews, Meghan (Jason), Hilary, Whitney (Chris), Dakota, Kaitlyn, Justin (Dustin) and Molly; and nine great-nieces and great-nephews, and three more expected soon. Also surviving are maternal uncle and aunts, Bill (Shirley) Crawford, Retta (Randy) Penrod and Debbie (Jim) Wilson; several cousins; and five very dear and faithful friends, Vickie Rinehart, Lee Ann Wright, Sandy Liley-Eastman, Susan Vickery-Romani and Martha Ellen House.

She was preceded in death by her maternal grandmother, Margaret (Joe) Howard; paternal grandmother, Lula Fadler; and a cousin, Lindsey Reedy.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday in Chapel A at McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson.

The funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Mark Anderson officiating. Burial will follow in Russell Heights Cemetery in Jackson.

Because Charlene's ambition was to help children, her family requests memorial contributions to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Shriners Hospitals for Children or the American Cancer Society.

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