Myrtle Barrett

McCLURE, Ill. -- Myrtle B. Barrett of McClure died Friday, Nov. 12, 2004, at Saint Francis Medical Center.

She was born April, 19, 1933, at McClure, daughter of Elzie and Bessie Presley Brown. She and Dewey M. Barrett were married Nov. 17, 1956, at Corinth, Miss.

Barrett graduated from McClure High School in 1951 and graduated from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Ill., with a BS degree. In 1954, she started teaching fourth grade in Thebes, Ill. In 1956, she went to Shawnee Community Unit School District 84 in Wolf Lake, Ill., where she started the kindergarten program and served as a teacher and as the principal. She then transferred to Shawnee Elementary School in McClure. She retired June 9, 1994.

Barrett served as the McClure homecoming officer for 29 years and was active in the Lindsey Cemetery Association and the American Legion Auxiliary. She was treasurer of the Woodmen of the World and received an award in 1995 for outstanding service to the lodge and fellow members. She received an outstanding citizen award in 1998. She also helped organize the town library.

Survivors include her husband, Dewey M. Barrett, daughter Debby Barrett, brother Oscar Barrett, all of McClure; sisters Clola Mayberry of Anna, Ill., and Mary Bridgeman of Manito, Ill.; sisters-in-law Ruth Brown of Racine, Wis., Maggie Brown of Anna and Elsie Barrett of Jackson, Mo.; numerous nephews, nieces, cousins and many loving friends and co-workers.

Friends may call at Ford and Sons Sprigg Street Chapel from 4 to 8 p.m. today.

Funeral will be at 1:30 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. The Rev. Bill Joyce and the Rev. Raymond Oxford will officiate, with burial in Lindsey Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Lindsey Cemetery Association.