ERNA PRIEST-STONE

Erna Louise Stone, 86, of Cape Girardeau died Saturday, April 13, 1996, at Southeast Missouri Hospital after an extended illness.

She was born April 19, 1909, in Gordonville, daughter of William C. and Minnie Volkerding Wessel.

She and Charles W. Priest were married Oct. 29, 1930. She later married Richard F. Stone May 30, 1958. Both preceded her in death.

Stone worked as a waitress at the Royal N' Orleans Restaurant from its inception in the mid-1950s where she was affectionately referred to as "Miss Erna" by many customers. She retired in 1986 after 30 years of service.

She was a member of St. Vincent's Parish in Cape Girardeau.

Stone is survived by three sons, Jack L. Priest of Affton and Jerry L. and Charles Don Priest of Cape Girardeau; and a daughter, Mary L. Helbig of Fenton; two sisters, Maxine Nelson of Fremont, Calif., and Betty Newland of Brea, Calif.; 11 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by a daughter and a brother.

Service will be at Ford & Sons Sprigg Street Chapel today at 10 a.m., with the Rev. Milton Ryan officiating. Burial will be in Russell Heights Cemetery in Jackson.