Allen Johnson

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Allen Franklin Johnson, 84, of Sikeston died Saturday, June 14, 2003, at his home.

He was born Nov. 27, 1918, son of Clarence Franklin and Sally Franklin Johnson. He and Mergie Mae Nelson were married Nov. 15, 1938; she died June 21, 1995.

Johnson served in the U.S. Army during World War II and had been a long-distance trucker for over 40 years before retiring. He was a member of Teamsters Union 891 in Jackson, Miss., the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Disabled American Veterans.

Survivors include three daughters, Barbara Ayers and Beverly Oliver, both of Sikeston, and Joyce Ann Cummins of Gig Harbor, Wash.; four sisters, Mary Elizabeth Burns of Sikeston, Vivian Stephens of St. Louis, Glenda Jean Meltabarger of Villa Ridge, Mo., and Linda Cantrell of Blodgett, Mo.; five grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, two brothers, a sister and a granddaughter.

Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Ponder Funeral Home in Sikeston.

The funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Rick Lasley officiating. Burial with full military honors will be in Sikeston Garden of Memories Cemetery.