Bennie Morrison

Bennie Joe Morrison, 80, of Cape Girardeau, formerly of Charleston and Sikeston, Mo, died Saturday, July 22, 2006, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.

He was born June 17, 1926, in Sikeston, son of Benjamin Franklin and Anna Virgin Gipson Springs Morrison. He and Glenda Marie Keller were married June 12, 1945, in Sikeston. She survives of the home in Cape Girardeau.

Morrison graduated from Sikeston High School in 1944. He was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and served during World War II. He was a former deacon of First Baptist Church in Sikeston, a member of Lynwood Baptist Church in Cape Girardeau and a member of the Thunderbirds Square Dance Club. He had been a sales representative for Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, the Keebler Company and the Conwood Corporation before retiring.

Survivors include three daughters, Melinda Hilterbrand, Margaret Baber and Marsha Elfrink and husband, Matthew, all of Cape Girardeau; a brother, Myron O. Morrison of Ava, Ill.; seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a sister.

Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. today at the First Baptist Church in Sikeston.

Funeral will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the church with the Rev. Gary Belcher and Dr. Rick Ramsey officiating. Burial will be at Garden of Memories Cemetery in Sikeston.

Ponder Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.