Jewell Gettings

Jewell T. Reid Gettings, 89, of Cape Girardeau, died Sunday, Jan. 8, 2006, at her home.

She was born Sept. 21, 1916, in Jackson, daughter of Ben P. and Fern Abernathy Reid. She first married John Herman Witcher Sr. June 29, 1945, in Jackson. He died Sept. 19, 1957. She and Leonard A. Gettings were married Feb. 6, 1959. He died June 16, 1992.

Mrs. Gettings attended Jackson schools. She had worked in alterations at Sears, Roebuck and Co., and at Hecht's.

She served with the U.S. Army's Women's Medical Corps during World War II.

Survivors include a son, Terry Gettings and wife Sherry of Scott City; a daughter, Sharon Fornkohl and husband Steve of Cape Girardeau; a stepdaughter, Judith Lowery of California; 27 grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandchild.

She was preceded in death by a brother, Allen Reid; three sisters, Mildred Reid of St. Louis, June Benton and Faye McLaird of Cape Girardeau; two sons, Bobby Gene Slinkard of Jackson, John Herman Witcher Jr. of Cape Girardeau; and a stepson, James Gettings.

Friends may call at Lorberg Memorial Funeral Chapel from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday.

The funeral will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at the chapel, with Eldon McKenzie officiating. Burial will be in Cape County Memorial Park with full military honors.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to American Cancer Society or American Diabetes Association.