MARY PRESSON

CHARLESTON, Mo. -- Mary Presson, 76, of Charleston died Friday, April 13, 2001, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston, Mo.

She was born June 12, 1924, at Morley, Mo., daughter of Cecil Thomas and Flora Bell Fisher Minner. She and Vernon Presson Sr. were married Nov. 24, 1946. He died July 25, 1995.

Presson lived in Mississippi County most of her life. She was co-owner of Bootheel Cafe until retiring. She was a member of First Baptist Church and the Katherine Boone Music Club.

Survivors include three sons, Don Presson of Cape Girardeau, Arthur Presson of Wilton, Conn., Earl Presson of St. Louis; two daughters, Sharon Whelan of Watertown, Wis., and Judith Schaedler of Reston, Va.

Also surviving are three brothers, James Minner of Orange, Calif., Cecil Minner of Sikeston, Charles Minner of St. Johns, Mich.; three sisters, Helen Gilliland of Sikeston, Glenda Baker of Randles, Mo., Lois Merrick of Palm Harbor, Fla.; four grandsons; and a great-granddaughter.

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

Friends may call at McMikle Funeral Home in Charleston from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday.

Funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. The Revs. Gerald Collier and James Trotter will officiate. Burial will be in IOOF Cemetery.