LIESA WASSON

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Liesa Faye Wasson, 43, of Sikeston died Sunday, July 15, 2001, at Missouri Delta Medical Center.

She was born Jan. 16, 1958, at Kennett, Mo., daughter of Farrell Edward and Glenda Faye Harder Wasson. She was a 1976 graduate of Sikeston High School, and in 1982 attended the Pilot Dog School in Columbus, Ohio. She received a paralegal degree in criminal justice from Granton Institute of Technology in Toronto, Canada, in 1996.

Wasson was an X-ray technician with Ferguson Medical Group from 1976-78. She founded Delta Area Blind in October 1982.

She was active on the boards of: Missouri Council for the Blind and was a past president, United Way, American Council for the Blind, co-founded and past president of Sikeston Interagency Council, Region IX Council on Developmental Disabilities, and Wolfner Advisory.

Wasson won many local and regional awards, including Outstanding Young Woman of America four times, Jefferson Award for Outstanding Public Service, Woman of the Year for city of Sikeston, Individual of the Year for Bell Pioneer Award, Daughters of Sunset Yes I Can Award, Nathaniel Johnson Award for Missouri Council for the Blind, Miller High Life Hometown Hero Award, Region IX Council Volunteer of the Year, Community Service Award from Miner Nursing Center, and Missouri Governor's Council on Disability Honorable Mention for the Bob Aldridge Advocate of the Year.

Survivors include her mother of Sikeston; a brother, Eddie Wasson of Scott City, Mo.; and a sister, Teresa Woods of Sikeston.

She was preceded in death by her father.

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

Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Wesley United Methodist Church. The Rev. Rick Lasley will officiate. Burial will be in Garden of Memories Cemetery.