Eula Lee Niswonger, 101, passed away Sunday, Jan. 25, 2009, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau.

Eula was born March 21, 1907, near Jackson, daughter of Frank and Sarah Ellen Smith Kesterson. Eula married Roy H. Niswonger Feb. 29, 1925. Roy went home to be with the Lord June 10, 1978.

She made her home in Cape Girardeau until 2001, when she moved to Jackson to live with her daughter and son-in-law.

Eula was formerly employed at Jackson Shoe factory, Schively's dry goods store and at Ely Walker in Scott City. She was of the Pentecostal belief and her church membership remained at the former First Pentecostal Assembly in Cape Girardeau, where she was a former Sunday school teacher.

Survivors include two sons, James D. Niswonger (Emmie) of Cape Girardeau, Ivan L. Niswonger of Scott City; two daughters, Doris Rankin of Salem, Ore., and Donna Petzoldt (Raymond) of Fruitland. She was blessed with 24 grandchildren, 38 great-grandchildren, 25 great- great-grandchildren and a great-great- great-grandson.

She was joyfully expecting four additional great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Roy H. Niswonger; a daughter, Mary Lu Niswonger; a son, Leroy Niswonger; a daughter-in-law, Euvela Niswonger; a daughter Anna Jean Brawley; a son-in-law, Charles Brawley; a son-in-law, Charles Rankin; a granddaughter, Lori Ann Niswonger; three brothers; and two sisters.

Eula's greatest joy was her relationship with Jesus Christ and her 101 children, grandchildren and great- grandchildren.

Eula overcame many serious illnesses and difficult times but it can be said of her, "She was tough enough to handle her own afflictions but soft enough to be touched by the afflictions of others." She was much loved by many.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home.

The funeral will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home, with grandson Roger Niswonger officiating. Burial will follow in Lorimier Cemetery.

Grandsons will serve as pallbearers.