Mary Jestus

Mary Ella Jestus, age 82, of Cape Girardeau and formerly of Cairo, Ill., passed away peacefully Thursday, May 15, 2008, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau.

She was born July 24, 1925, in Barlow, Ky., daughter of Doug and Julia Baker Moore. She and Charles Lewis Jestus were married in 1945, and he passed away in August 1975.

Mary had been employed in various restaurants in the area and also had performed housekeeping duties in private homes in Cape Girardeau.

Loving survivors include a son, Phillip Jestus of Cape Girardeau; a daughter, Charlotte Jean Blaylock of Calvert City, Ky.; two grandchildren, Sandy Furgerson and Judy Blaylock; five great-grandchildren, Kayla Marie and Jamie Lynn Blaylock, Sara and Heather Johnston, and Andrea Jestus; a sister, Virgina Kaufer of Barlow; a stepdaughter, Cheryl Jestus Johnston; and two stepsons, Michael and Charles "Chuck" Jestus.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by a son, Donnie Jestus, and by two sisters, Goldie Hardin and Lavern Stephens.

Friends may call between 10 and 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 20, 2008, at McCombs Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau. Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., with the Rev. William Marshall officiating. Interment will follow in Fairmount Cemetery in Cape Girardeau.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to the Salvation Army of Cape Girardeau. Sympathy messages may be sent to the family online at www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.