EDWARD MCCLEARY

CHARLESTON -- Edward Earl McCleary, 74, of Charleston died suddenly Tuesday, April 6, 1999, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston of an apparent heart attack.

He was born Sept. 3, 1924, in Ripley, Tenn., son of Walter and Blanche Bradley McCleary. He and Marilyn Bankhead were married Dec. 15, 1949. She died Nov. 7, 1988.

McCleary had lived in Missouri more than 50 years. He was a member of Ten Tall Ones Civic Club.

Survivors include five daughters, Beatrice McCleary of Virginia Beach, Va., Beverly Brownlee of Cairo, Ill., Darnette McCleary of St. Louis, Renee McCleary of Goldsboro, N.C., and Jarris Kent of Jackson, Tenn.

Also surviving are eight sons, Lawrence McCleary of Detroit, Mich., Alonzo McCleary of Murphysboro, Ill., Willis and Bobby McCleary of Washington, D.C., John McCleary of Pennsylvania, Hubert McCleary of El Paso, Texas, Todd McCleary of Sacramento, Calif., Titus McCleary of Charleston; two sisters, Francis Benford and Irene Roberson of Warren, Ohio; and 17 grandchildren.

Friends may call at Sparks Funeral Home from 6-8 p.m. today.

Funeral will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at Mercy Seat Baptist Church. The Rev. Flem Bronner Sr. will officiate. Burial will be in Oak Grove Cemetery.