Elvira Best

Elvira E. Best, 92, of Jackson passed away Saturday, July 13, 2013, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.

She was born Sept. 15, 1920, near Burfordville to Henry and Lydia Meier Biester. Because of the early deaths of her mother and maternal grandmother, since age 3, Elvira was raised by a maternal aunt and uncle, Mary and Martin Wettengel. She was baptized Oct. 17, 1920, and confirmed April 22, 1934. She was a graduate of the former Immanuel Lutheran Grade School in Tilsit.

She and Elmer Best were married Oct. 20, 1940, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Tilsit. They had been married almost 31 years when Elmer passed away Oct. 10, 1971.

Elvira worked 12 years as a payroll clerk at the former International Shoe Factory in Jackson. In 1952, she and Elmer became owners in McCombs Furniture and Funeral Home. They both enjoyed serving the public. After Elmer's early death, Elvira worked 20 years as a cashier for the former Jackson E-Z Pump.

Elvira was an accomplished seamstress and stitched countless baptism napkins and altar garments for St. Paul Lutheran Church in Jackson, where she was a member since January 1947. She taught Sunday school many years, was a charter member of the Concordia Guild, and helped organize the SEMO Auxiliary of Lutheran Family and Children's Services, formerly serving as president.

Loving survivors include a daughter, Judy Murphy of Jackson, Miss.; grandson, Nicholas "Nick" Murphy of Los Angeles; four half-siblings, J.G. (Judy) Biester, Melvin (the late Lorene) Biester and Alberta (Leroy) Wilke, all of Cape Girardeau, and Milicent Fluegge of Jackson; several nieces and nephews; and many dear friends.

She and Elmer tragically lost a 4-year-old daughter, Carol Ann Best, on April 15, 1946. Others preceding her in death include her husband, Elmer; her parents, Henry and Lydia Biester; and the aunt and uncle who raised her, Mary and Martin Wettengel.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the chapel of McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson.

Funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Robert Heinrichs officiating.

Interment will be in Russell Heights Cemetery in Jackson.

Memorials may take the form of contributions to St. Paul Radio Broadcast, The Lutheran Hour or Lutheran Women's Missionary League.

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