Rufus Sumlin

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Rufus J. "Big Rufus" Sumlin, 76, of Sikeston died Friday, Feb. 25, 2005, at Clearview Nursing Center.

He was born Nov. 11, 1928, in Renova, Miss., son of Johnnie and Ruth Mae Wolfe Sumlin. He married Ella Yarber.

Sumlin was a merchant marine with the U.S. Coast Guard 20 years, was an electrician five years at McDonnell-Douglas Aircraft in St. Louis, and then worked 25 years at Noranda Aluminum in New Madrid, Mo. He was a member of St. John Missionary Baptist Church.

Survivors include his wife; two daughters, Agnes Mason and Denise Mills of Sikeston; five sons, Rufus Sumlin of Poplar Bluff, Mo., Dennis Sumlin of Woodbridge, Va., Wayne and Elliott Sumlin of Forrest City, Ark., Eldridge Sumlin of Memphis, Tenn.; a sister, Lois Shelby of East St. Louis, Ill.; 15 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandchild.

Friends may call at West End Missionary Baptist Church Saturday from 1 p.m. until time of service.

The funeral will be at 3 p.m. Saturday at the church, with the Revs. Chester Yarber and Richard Lee officiating. Burial will be Monday at Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield.

Williams Funeral Home in Charleston, Mo., is in charge of arrangements.