James Gregory Sr.

BENTON, Mo. -- James Lee Gregory Sr., 66, of Benton died Monday, June 4, 2007, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.

He was born Dec. 30, 1940, at Morehouse, Mo., son of Earl Theopolis and Mable Marie Pack Gregory. He and Mildred Virginia Finney were married Jan. 31, 1959, at Bloomfield, Mo.

Gregory was a baker 10 years at Hart's Bakery in Sikeston, Mo. He was an ordained minister 35 years. He was a former member of Pentecostal Holiness in Benton, a deacon five years at North Street Pentecostal Holiness in Sikeston, and a bus driver for Calvary Temple Assembly of God Church in Sikeston.

He was a career foster parent with the state of Missouri, having cared for more than 350 children. He was currently a member of the Christian Mission in Benton.

Survivors include his wife; eight sons, James Gregory II, Timothy, Keith, Richard and Brandon Gregory, all of Benton, Christopher Gregory of Vanduser, Mo., Scott Gregory of Oran, Mo., Charles Gregory of Cape Girardeau; five daughters, Sonjia Denece Stotler of Scott City, Heather Marie and Elizabeth Ann Gregory of Benton, Margaret Wren of Jackson, and Susan Kurre of Sikeston.

Also surviving is a brother, Thomas W. Gregory of Benton; five sisters, Billie Bell of Bloomfield, Deanie Bollinger, Alma Creed, Lou Nell Curtney and Bessie Ruth Eftink, all of Sikeston; 21 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today at Christian Mission.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at the church, with the Rev. William Marshall officiating. Burial will be in Lightner Memorial Cemetery at Scott City.

Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.