Mildred Abernathy

BENTON, Mo. -- Mildred Bertrand Abernathy, 81, of Benton died Friday, Sept. 18, 2009, at Life Care Center in Cape Girardeau.

She was born Dec. 3, 1927, in Cape Girardeau, daughter of Henry Bernard and Rosella Elizabeth Layton Scheffer. She and Joseph Emil Bertrand were married Oct. 12, 1949 in Charleston, Mo. He died Dec. 23, 1972. She then married Marcus Abernathy on June 14, 1986, in Commerce, Mo. He died June 16, 2007.

She was a deputy circuit clerk for Scott County Circuit Court from 1973 to 1990. She was a member of St. Denis Catholic Church and its Ladies Sodality, American Legion Post 369 Auxiliary in Benton and the Eagles Auxiliary 3319 in Sikeston, Mo.

She is survived by a son, John (Paula) Bertrand of Oran, Mo.; two daughters, Cathy Lambert Ray of Benton and Debbie (Scott) Sander of Commerce; a sister, Aileene (Paul) Scherer of Cape Girardeau; nine grandchildren; and 21 great-grandchildren.

Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. today at Amick-Burnett Chapel in Benton. Parish prayers will be at 7 p.m.

Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Monday at St. Denis Catholic Church in Benton. The Rev. Michael Casteel will be the celebrant. Burial will be in St. Denis Cemetery in Benton.