Beverly Pecord

Beverly Jane Pecord, lovingly known as "Bunny", went home to be with her Lord and Savior at 1:15 p.m. Friday, Jan. 10, 2025, at the age of 96, surrounded by her family.

She was born Jan. 29, 1928, in Louisville, Kentucky, the daughter of Walter and Gladys Miller-Becker. She married Orval “Gene” Pecord on June 6, 1946, in Paducah, Kentucky. Their’s was a love story for the ages. They shared many happy years together before he preceded her in death Nov. 17, 2004.

Beverly attended Lake Milligan Baptist Church in Miller City, Illinois, for much of her life and, in later years, Alexander Freewill Baptist Church in Olive Branch, Illinois. Bunny held many positions, including postmaster of the Cache, Illinois, post office and running multiple goose hunting clubs with her husband, Gene.

She was also a choir director at Lake Milligan and taught several generations in Sunday school and Bible school. In her later life, she worked with her family at The Briar Patch consignment store. However, her most beloved role was raising her children and being Granny to her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

She is survived by her children, Clinton (Susan) Pecord of Mounds, Illinois, Becky (Stan) Cantrell of Advance and Billy (Deana) Pecord and Amy (Bill) McClarney, both of Olive Branch; sister, Patsy Mason of Anna, Illinois; grandchildren, Jeffery (Melanie) Pecord, Lisa (Jason) Mueller, Lorna (Aaron) Freed, Natalie Cash, Lauren (Tim) Butler, Lucas (Addie) Pecord, Hannah McClarney, Angie Poe and Steven Cantrell; 16 great-grandchildren; 11 great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Bunny was preceded in death by her husband; parents; brother, Walter Becker; two nephews; and great-great-grandson.

A special thanks to her incredible caregivers who helped her stay in her home for the last few years, Lisa Rodgers, Maria Van Meter, Becki Satterlee and Terri Oliver. Also, a heartfelt thank you to the amazing staff at Providence Hospice at Lutheran Home for the care they provided her in her final days. As our Granny would say, "Angels around you".

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 17, and 10 a.m. until service time Saturday, Jan. 18, at Crain Funeral Home in Tamm, Illinois.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 18, at the funeral home, with the Rev. Sam Ramdial officiating. Interment will follow at Beechwood Cemetery in Mounds.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests with gratitude that memorial donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and/or Wounded Warrior Project and/or Providence Home Health and Hospice, 2825 Bloomfield Road, Cape Girardeau, MO 63703. Memorial envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

Southeast Missourian