Robert Cantrell

Robert Cornelius Cantrell, 73, of Hayti, Mo., died Friday, July 6, 2007, in Cape Girardeau.

Born Nov. 5, 1933, in Memphis, Tenn., he was the son of the late William Luther and Mary Bondurant Cantrell. On Sept. 6, 1953, he married Norma Jean Bennett, who survives.

He was preceded in death by two sisters, Dorothy Cantrell and Mary Lorene Lowery, and a brother, John M. Cantrell.

Survivors include his wife, Norma Jean Cantrell; a daughter, Norma Lea Miller and husband Charles of Caruthersville, Mo.; a son, Ben Cantrell and wife Stephanie of Cape Girardeau; a brother, William L. Cantrell Jr. and wife Faye of Caruthersville; a sister-in-law, Mary Jane Cantrell of Mountain Home, Ark.; three grandchildren, Patrick Pery, Lauren Miller and Matthew Cantrell; and a great-grandchild, Carson Hardesty.

He graduated from Caruthersville High School in 1952, and received a degree in business and finance from Arkansas State University. He was a member of the armed forces, serving as a lieutenant in the finance corp. at Fort Benjamin Harrison in Indianapolis, Ind.

Upon his return to the area he was employed by the National Bank in Caruthersville, where at the age of 32 he became the youngest bank president in the state of Missouri. He was one of the founders of Missouri Delta Bank in Hayti and was a pioneer in the development of computer banking systems implemented throughout the area.

A celebration service will be held Friday at H.S. Smith Chapel in Caruthersville.

Visitation will begin at 5:30 p.m., followed by a brief memorial by Dr. Paul Curre at 7.

Ford and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of local arrangements.