Lela Marquis

Dexter, Mo. -- Lela G. Marquis, 87, of Dexter, formerly of Malden, Mo., died Sunday, July 31, 2005, at Beverly Healthcare Center in Bloomfield, Mo.

She was born Oct. 5, 1917, in Dyer, Tenn., daughter of Willie and Hattie Mae Warren Duck. She and Joe Marquis were married Oct. 24, 1953, in Bernie, Mo. He died May 24, 1996.

Marquis was a retired seamstress at Elders Manufacturing.

Survivors include four sons, Wayne Marquis of Poplar Bluff, Mo., James Wheatley of Severn, Md., Paul Wheatley of Memphis, Tenn., and Elbert Wheatley of Piedmont, Mo.; two daughters, Betty Owens and Pat Batten, both of Dexter; a brother, Bill Duck of Jackson; 12 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by two brothers.

Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. today at the Watkins and Sons Funeral Home in Dexter.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Lester Clayton officiating. Burial will be in Sadler's Chapel Cemetery near Dexter.