VIRGINIA DEROUSSE

ESSEX, Mo. -- Virginia DeRousse, 63, of Essex died Saturday, Jan. 13, 2001, at her home.

She was born Jan. 18, 1937, in Mound City, Ill., daughter of Leverett and Minnie Lela Harvey Sheppard. She was a former resident of St. Louis and Doniphan, Mo., before moving to Essex in 1986.

She and Francis Edward DeRousse were married Aug. 27, 1954, in Hernando, Miss. He died Jan. 24, 1985.

Survivors include three sons, Francis DeRousse of High Ridge, Mo., Louis DeRousse of Fairdealing, Mo., and Michael DeRousse of Cuba, Mo.; four daughters, Diana Gunter of Fairdealing, Mo., Lisa Cunningham of the home, and Teresa Teeters and Kelly McBenge, both of Circle City, Mo.; one brother, Bob Sheppard of Arlington, Texas; one sister, Betty Beardsley of Valley Park, Mo.; 14 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by one brother, two sisters and one great-grandson.

Friends may call from 5-8 p.m. today at the Watkins and Sons Chapel in Dexter, Mo.

Funeral will be at 1 p.m. Monday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Mike Brown of Essex officiating. Burial will be in Triplett Cemetery near Dexter.