Laura Matthews

DEXTER, Mo. -- Laura Matthews, 91, formerly of Dexter, died Thursday, Nov. 6, 2003, at Fountainbleau Lodge in Cape Girardeau.

She was born Sept. 24, 1912, at Dexter, daughter of George Washington and Martha Ann Cooper Miller. She and Frank Cranston Matthews were married May 17, 1931, in Waterloo, Ill. He died Nov. 9, 1983.

Mrs. Matthews was a member of Sadler's Chapel Methodist and United Methodist Church in Dexter, and Walnut Lane Extension Club.

Survivors include a daughter, Marianne C. Sperling of Jackson; two granddaughters, Linda Gail Drew and Rhonda Jean Matthews of Alabama; six great-grandchildren, Amanda Drew Simpson of Alabama, Randall Scott Drew with the U.S. Army in Colorado, Justin Gabriel Drew and Laura Leigh Drew of Alabama, Bryce Allen Jernigan and Alicia Marie Jernigan of Alabama; and a nephew, Lloyd H. Anderson of Dexter.

Besides her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by a son, Fred M. Matthews; three brothers, Marvin C. Miller, Harlan B. Miller, Walter A. Miller; and a sister, Sybil S. Anderson.

The funeral will be at 1 p.m. today at Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter. The Rev. Sam Roethemeyer will officiate. Burial will be in Dexter Cemetery.