Mary Sullenger

Mary Ellen Wasem Sullenger, 97, of Cape Girardeau, formerly of Charleston, Mo., died Thursday, Feb. 26, 2009, at the Lutheran Home.

She was born Feb. 24, 1912, in Wickliffe, Ky., daughter of Marshall Henry and Lillie Virginia Riley Rollins.

She grew up in Wickliffe and was a member of First Baptist Church. She attended Wickliffe High School where she was a star basketball player and had the nickname "Babe." She moved to Cape Girardeau and attended Cape Girardeau School of Beauty Culture.

Following her marriage, she and husband Carl Wasem moved to Charleston in 1947, where they started the Wasem News Agency, a wholesale and retail magazine distributorship. They also had the newspaper delivery agency in Charleston. They worked together until his death in 1956.

In 1999 she was named grand marshall of the annual Dogwood/Azalea Parade. She was a member of Molly French Garden Club, and a member of First Baptist Church where she sang in the choir, was active in the Women's Missionary Union, and also was a member of Katherine Boone Music Club, Athena Club and Women's Study Club.

She first married Carl Emil Wasem on Aug. 14, 1940. He died Nov. 25, 1956. She and Wade Sullenger were married May 13, 1967. He died Jan. 27, 1972.

Surviving are two daughters, Mary Thilenius of Perryville, Mo., Jeanette "Jenny" Strickland of Cape Girardeau; six grandsons; and a great-grandson.

She was preceded in death by a sister.

Friends may call from 10 a.m. to service time Saturday at First Baptist Church in Charleston.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the church, with the Rev. Michael Brewer officiating. The eulogy will be given by Betty Hearnes. Burial will be in Wickliffe City Cemetery at Wickliffe.

McMikle Funeral Home in Charleston is in charge of arrangements.