Dorothy Link

Dorothy J. Link, 87, of Jackson passed away Saturday, March 31, 2012, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.

She was born July 27, 1924, in Fruitland, to Price Samuel and Nancy Hargraves Sides. She was raised in the Jackson area.

In 1943, she was married to Earl T. Blackwell. They had a daughter, Frances Kay.

On May 10, 1947, she and Lloyd Eugene "Gene" Link were married in the Tower Grove area of St. Louis. They resided in the St. Louis area, had four children and had been married 46 years when he passed away May 13, 1993.

Dorothy accepted Christ in the early 1960s during a Billy Graham televised worship service. She was subsequently baptized and became a member of Hanley Hills Baptist Church in St. Louis.

She worked 20 years at the former Famous-Barr in St. Louis, retiring in 1989.

In 2006, she returned to Jackson and became a member of Shawnee Hills Baptist Church and Ladies Auxiliary of American Legion Post 158.

On Aug. 22, 2009, she and Earl Blackwell were remarried at Shawnee Hills Baptist Church. He passed away Jan. 2, 2012.

Loving survivors include her children, Frances "Kay" (Robert) Peace of Camp Verde, Ariz., Nancy Jane Link of Jackson, Debbie (Roy) Tanner of New Smyrna Beach, Fla., Michael "Mike" Link of Overland Park, Kan., James (Bonnie) Link of Fruitland Park, Fla.; four sisters, Betty June Marlette of Washington, Mo., formerly of Southeast Missouri, Rose Mary Stearns and Nancy Mae Prince of Jackson, Virginia (Dewey) Riehn of Ashland, Mo.; 12 grandchildren; and 21 great-grandchildren.

In addition to her husbands and parents, she was preceded in death by seven siblings, Agnes, Ada, Norma "Johnny," Wilson "Eagle," Lloyd, Eugene, Jerry; and a grandson, Ryan Tanner.

Friends may call from 5:30 p.m. to time of service today at Shawnee Hills Baptist Church.

The Rev. Don Estes will officiate a memorial service at 7 p.m. at the church.

Arrangements by McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson.

Memorials may take the form of contributions to Meals on Wheels, c/o Jackson Senior Center.

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