MARIE ATERS

EAST PRAIRIE -- Marie Aters, 78, of East Prairie died Tuesday, Dec. 30, 1997, at the East Prairie Nursing Center after an extended illness.

She was born Jan. 26, 1919, in Rosiclaire, Ill., the daughter of Zenith and Clyde Harris Johnson. She married Charles "Gus" Aters on Oct. 10, 1936. He died Dec. 2, 1992.

She had lived in Mississippi County most of her life. She was a Baptist.

Survivors include seven sons: R.J. Aters of Sandwich, Ill.; Bobby, Jim and Floyd Aters of East Prairie; Terry Aters of New Madrid; Paul Aters of Jackson and Rickey Aters of Sikeston; five daughters, Alice Organ of Dalton, Ill.; and Rosetta Branam, Shirley Johnson, Thelma Wasson and Penny Simpkins, all of East Prairie; 39 grandchildren and 46 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers and a sister.

Friends may call after 5 p.m. today at the Shelby Funeral Home in East Prairie. Funeral service will be at 3 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home with Keith Atchley and Fred Girwood officiating. Burial will be at East Prairie Memorial Park Cemetery.