Myrtle Lindsey

CAIRO, Ill. -- Myrtle Dean Lindsey, 92, of Cairo, a resident in recent years of Bertrand, Missouri, died at 12:49 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2015, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston, Missouri.

She was born July 6, 1923, in Johnson County, Illinois, the daughter of Owen and Amanda Elkins Billingsley. She married Tillman J. Lindsey on June 6, 1942, and he preceded her in death April 2, 1987.

Before her retirement, Myrtle worked as a deputy county clerk, secretary for the superintendent of schools, and in the assessor's office in the Alexander County (Illinois) Courthouse. She learned to play the piano and was a Sunday school teacher for many classes for 44 years. Myrtle was a member of the Cairo Business and Professional Women's Club, the Republican Committee for Alexander County and First Southern Baptist Church in Cairo.

She is survived by her three sons, Tillman "Butch" (Susie) Dean Lindsey of Simi Valley, California, Michael Owen (Angie) Lindsey of East Prairie, Missouri, and Jerry A. (Barbara) Lindsey, of Portageville, Missouri; six grandchildren, Christina Fox, Ben Lindsey, Tim Lindsey, Amanda Alicea, Claire Grisham and Caitlin Lindsey; seven great-grandchildren, Zac Lindsey, Paige Lindsey, Tanner Lindsey, Jocelyn Alicea, Asher Alicea, Maxwell Grisham and Jaxon Grisham; and many nieces, nephews and other relatives.

Myrtle was preceded in death by her parents; and siblings, Grace Brennecke, Orville Billingsley, Leo Billingsley and Dean Graf.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday at Mighty Rivers Regional Worship Center in Cairo.

Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Friday at the church, with Dr. Larry L. Potts and the Rev. Bill Gholson officiating. Interment will be at Green Lawn Memorial Gardens in Villa Ridge, Illinois.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Open Table Food Pantry of First Southern Baptist Church in Tallapoosa, Missouri, where her son, Jerry, is pastor.

To leave online condolences, please visit www.crainsonline.com.

Crain Funeral Home in Cairo in charge of arrangements.