Retha Sissum

Retha Marie Sissum, daughter of the late Charles and Abbie Simms Rackley, was born in Russellville, Arkansas on September 25, 1927, and passed away at the Cypress Point Skilled Nursing Home in Dexter, Missouri on February 13, 2013, at the age of 85 years, 4 months and 19 days. She had lived in Puxico most of her life and attended the Puxico General Baptist Church in Puxico. She had enjoyed gardening, quilting, sewing, and cooking. On June 15, 1940, she was married to William Lester Sissum in Pope County, Arkansas. He preceded her in death on October 26, 1983. Surviving are two sons, David & Lora Sissum of Dexter, Missouri and Michael & Vickie Sissum of Puxico, Missouri; two daughters,Carolyn & Randy Madison of Belleview, Illinois, and Linda & Ed Brooks of Rich Hill, Missouri; fifteen grandchildren; sixteen great grandchildren; one brother, Bob Rackley of Texas; and one sister, Mae McDonald of Russellville, Arkansas. Other family and friends also survive. She was preceded in death by two sons, William Ray Sissum and Kenneth Gene Sissum; one daughter, Betty Sue Irwin; one grandson, Robert Mark Dunn; one great granddaughter, Victoria Dunn; three brothers, JC Rackley, Lawrence Rackley, and Elmer Rackley. Visitation will be held on Saturday, February 16, 2013, after 11:00 AM at the Watkins and Sons Funeral Home in Puxico, Missouri. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, February 16, 2013, at 1:00 PM at the Watkins and Sons Chapel in Puxico, Missouri with Rev. Jimmy Clark of Puxico officiating and with Rev. Kenneth Lambert of Bloomfield, Missouri assisting. Interment will follow in the Morgan Memorial Park Cemetery in Advance, Missouri with Watkins & Sons Funeral Service of Puxico in charge of arrangements.