Mary Grimes

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Mary Elizabeth Grimes, 95, of Sikeston died Saturday, April 20, 2013, at Clearview Nursing Center in Sikeston.

She was born Jan. 11, 1918, in Benton, Mo., to W.F. and Bessie Worley Kirby. She and Joe Smith were married in 1933. He preceded her in death in 1972. She later married Aquilla "Jack" Grimes, who also preceded her in death.

Mary was a member of Unity Baptist Church in Benton, state president of the Parent Teacher Association, secretary for the original Democrat newspaper in Benton, five-county representative for the March of Dimes, and was a member of Order of the Eastern Star and Sikeston Eagles.

Survivors include a son and two daughters-in-law, Joe and Lois Smith of Dumas, Ark., and Pat Smith of Imperial, Mo.; a daughter, Phyllis Jean Zilafro of Sikeston; nine grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; and a step-great-grandson.

In addition to her husbands and parents, she was preceded in death by a son, John R. Smith, and a daughter, Edna Le Walton.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Ponder Funeral Home.

The funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Friday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Austin Maxwell, an Assembly of God minister, officiating. Interment will be in Unity Baptist Cemetery near Benton.

Online condolences may be sent at www.ponderfuneralhome.com.