Cristeen Whitaker

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Martha Cristeen "Cris" Whitaker, 76, of Sikeston died Tuesday, July 1, 2003, at Missouri Delta Medical Center.

She was born Sept. 28, 1926, at Canalou, Mo., daughter of Thomas Allen and Lenna Laverta Henson Waters. She and Francis Marion Whitaker were married Sept. 13, 1953, at Morehouse, Mo. He died June 17, 1980.

Whitaker had been a cook at Nevada's and Palace Cafe. She lived in Sikeston most of her life. She was a member of Miner Baptist Church and Golden Circle Sunday School Class.

Survivors include two sons, Alan Whitaker of Sikeston, Clay Whitaker of East Prairie, Mo.; a daughter, Kay Johnson of Charleston, Mo.; two sisters, Eloise Hastings of Richmond, Texas, Ethyl Brown of Cape Girardeau; seven grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by three brothers and three sisters.

Friends may call at Blanchard Funeral Chapel from 5 to 8 p.m. today.

The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at the chapel, with the Revs. Mitch Jackson and Dean Wallace officiating. Burial will be in Garden of Memories.