MURREL PAYTON

PUXICO -- Murrel C. Payton, 87, of Puxico died Monday, May 29, 2000, at Pine Lawn Residential Care Center.

She was born Dec. 4, 1912, in Puxico, daughter of Authur J. and Margaret Eldora Oliver Hickman. She and Cecil U. Payton were married March 31, 1927. He died April 12, 1988.

Payton lived in Puxico most of her life. She had been an operator with Southwestern Bell Telephone Co., and had been a clerk at Puxico Mercantile several years. She was a member of Life Chapel Assembly of God Church.

Survivors include a son, Frank Payton of Pevely; three daughters, Caroline Smotherman of Pevely, Marilyn Heiligtag of Puxico, Shelby Hubbert of St. Cloud, Fla.; a brother, Monroe Hickman of Poplar Bluff; a sister, Marie Fulkerson of Riverside, Calif.; seven grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandchild.

She was preceded in death by a daughter.

Friends may call at Watkins and Sons Funeral Home in Puxico after 6 p.m. Thursday.

Funeral will be at 1 p.m. Friday at Life Chapel Church, with the Rev. Dan Montgomery officiating. Burial will be in Puxico Cemetery.