Perle Black Montgomery, age 99, of Sikeston, Mo. died at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 4, 1999 at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston. She was born July 16, 1899 near Morley, Mo. to the late William and Cordelia Domec Black.

She attended Morley Public Schools and graduated in 1919 from Normal College, now Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau, Mo.

She taught elementary school in Benton, Mo. for two years. She was a very active leader in various school, church, civic and military support groups. She was an active member of First United Methodist Church in Sikeston and a member of United Methodist Women.

She was a member for over 50 years of the Order of the Eastern Star Chapter #137 in Sikeston. She had also been a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the American Legion and a member of the Federated Womans Club of Sikeston.

She was an accomplished cook, and frequently entertained guests in her home and was a member of the Democratic Party.

She was married to Judge M.E. Montgomery on June 18, 1919 in Morley, Mo. He preceded her in death Nov. 28, 1976. She was also preceded by her beloved daughter, Mary Louise Montgomery Waters on November 4, 1998. She is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Robert M. and Lil Montgomery of Cocoa Beach, Fla.; by a son-in-law, Allen S. "Buddy" Waters of Chapel Hill, N.C.; by grandchildren and spouses, Robert S. and Kathleen Waters of Arlington, Va.; William A. and Mary Waters of Colorado Springs, Co.; and James Creal and Lindsay Waters of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.; and grandchildren Michael Montgomery of Cocoa Beach, Fla.; and Jan Montgomery of Key West, Fla.; by great grandchildren, Jeff Waters of Atlanta, Ga.; Jack Renehan and Julia Renehan, both of Arlington, Va.; Michael Waters of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.; and great granddaughter and spouse, Wynde and Scott Goins of Durham, N.C.; and by two great-great granddaughters, Kailey and Kassidy Goins of Durham, N.C. She was also preceded in death by four brothers.

Friends may call at 12:00 noon Saturday, May 8, 1999 at Nunnelee Funeral Chapel in Sikeston. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday in the Nunnelee Chapel, with Rev. Dr. Jim Davis, pastor of First United Methodist Church in Sikeston officiating. Burial will follow in Sikeston City Cemetery.

Mrs. Montgomery was affectionally called "Mama Toots" by her family, and "Hortense" by many of the friends of her children, Bob and Mary Louise Montgomery in Sikeston High School.

The family requests Memorial Contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church in Sikeston, or to a charity of the donor's choice.