Helen McLaurin

Helen Lorine McLaurin, 77, of Centralia, Ill., died Thursday, Dec. 18, 2003, at St. Mary's Hospital in Centralia.

She was born Feb. 21, 1926, in Canalou, Mo., daughter of John and Emma Saunders Chaney. She and Philip McLaurin were married Nov. 1, 1944. He died May 13, 1991.

McLaurin was a member of the Baptist church in Canalou.

Survivors include a son, David McLaurin of Mount Vernon, Ill.; two daughters, Phyllis Kelley of Dubuque, Iowa, Emma Gamel of Cape Girardeau; a brother, Harry Chaney of Canalou; a sister, Lala Duke of East Prairie, Mo.; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, four brothers, two sisters and three grandchildren.

Friends may call at Ponder Funeral Home in Sikeston, Mo., from 5 to 8 p.m. today.

The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. The Rev. Mike Cartwright will officiate. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery at Sikeston.