Helen Musgraves

Helen Musgraves, 82, of Centralia, Mo., died Thursday, June 24, 2004, at Boone Hospital Center in Columbia, Mo.

She was born Jan. 26, 1922, in Advance, Mo., daughter of Lloyd and Myrtle Kidd Cox. She and Wilson Musgraves were married in 1942. He died in 1985.

Mrs. Musgraves graduated from Delta High School, received a bachelor's degree from Southeast Missouri State University and earned a master's degree from the University of Missouri-St. Louis.

She taught elementary school 39 years, including 34 years at Riverview Gardens School District in St. Louis County. She moved to Centralia in 1992, and was a member of the United Methodist Church. She loved cooking, gardening, traveling and entertaining.

Survivors include a son, Dennis Musgraves and wife Judy of Centralia; two brothers, Charles Cox of Whitewater, Glen Cox of Delta; two sisters, Pauline Bullinger of Cape Girardeau, Gladys Cox of Centralia; a granddaughter, Susan James and husband Paul of Defiance, Mo.; and three great-grandchildren, Kelsey, Katelyn and Matthew.

She was preceded in death by three brothers, Raymond Cox, Lanson Cox and Ralph Cox, and a sister, Jewel Cox.

Visitation will be from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home.

A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. at the funeral home, with the Rev. Robert Bradford officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the United Methodist Church, E. Tarr St., Centralia, Mo., 65240.