FRANK WARE SR.

CHARLESTON, Mo. -- Frank Ware Sr., 79, of Charleston died Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2000, at the Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston, Mo.

He was born April 9, 1921, in Osceola, Ark., the son of Jerry and Lela Gater Ware.

He had lived in Missouri for more than 40 years. He retired from U.S. Steel and was employed at the Charleston Housing Authority at the time of his death.

He was a member of the Wings of Heaven singing group and was a member of the Mercy Seat Baptist Church where he served on the deacon board.

He is survived by seven sons, Frank Ware Jr., Bobby, Randy and Paladin Ware, all of Charleston, Taylor Ware of Metropolis, Ill., James Ware of Mount Vernon, Ill., and Lester Ware of St. Louis; six daughters, Lela Ware, Della Ware, Hattie Nelson and Leigh Paigh Ware, all of Charleston, and Beatrice Owens and Billie Cain of Mount Vernon; 12 stepchildren; 39 grandchildren; 54 great-grandchildren; and a special friend, Susie B. Kent of Charleston.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Elnora Cobb Ware, and by his second wife, Jerry Suggs Ware, and by a son.

Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Friday at the Sparks Funeral Home in Charleston.

Services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Mercy Seat Baptist Church, with the Rev. J.L. Posey officiating.

Burial will be at the Oak Grove Cemetery near Charleston.