MATTHEWS -- Ernest "Ping Pong" Pointer, 71, of Matthews died Wednesday, Aug. 6, 1997, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau.

He was born May 14, 1926, in Canalou, son of Cyrus M. and Suzanne McKinney Pointer. He and Wilma Charlene Eaton were married Aug. 21, 1945, in Canalou. She died Dec. 30, 1994.

Pointer was a retired car salesman, and attended First Assembly of God Church in Canalou.

Survivors include a son, Randy Pointer of Matthews; a daughter, Jeannie Malloy of Sikeston; a sister, Lila Harden of Sikeston; four grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a brother and five sisters.

Friends may call at Nunnelee Funeral Chapel in Sikeston from 5-8 p.m. today.

Funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at the chapel, with the Rev. Mike Cartwright officiating. Burial will be in Garden of Memories Cemetery at Sikeston.