Melvin Lackey

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Melvin Preston Lackey, 70, of Sikeston died Friday, Aug. 31, 2001, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston.

He was born Sept. 10, 1930, in Little Rock, Ark., son of Charles A. and Lela Johnson Lackey Sr. He married Everstine Scheland.

He was a farmer and served as a corporal in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He was a member of the Blodgett Baptist Church, serving as the adult men's Sunday school teacher. For several years he was the leader of the Bus Ministry at Little Vine General Baptist Church.

Survivors include his wife; two sons, James Benson of Richardson, Texas, and Russell Benson of LaCenter, Ky.; two daughters, Francis Tadlock of St. Louis and Melvona Sexton of Sikeston; four brothers, Carl Lackey of Palatka, Fla., George Lackey of Sikeston, Charles Lackey Jr. of Murphysboro, Ill., and William "Bill" Lackey of Zanesville, Ohio; two sisters, Elsie Lackey of Sikeston and Charlene "Carrie" Johnson of Benton, Mo.; 13 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a brothers and a sister.

Friends may call from 5-8 p.m. today at Nunnelee Funeral Chapel in Sikeston.

Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at the chapel, with the Rev. Lee Fansler officiating. Burial will be in Dogwood Cemetery.