EAST PRAIRIE, Mo. -- John L. Gifford Jr., 77, of East Prairie died Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2002, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.

He was born Nov. 7, 1924, in Tomato, Ark., son of John L. and Sarah McGaugh Gifford. He and Reva D. Calhoun were married June 30, 1959.

Gifford lived in East Prairie most of his life and was a retired farmer. He was a member of St. James General Baptist Church.

Survivors include his wife; two sons, John Gifford III of East Prairie, Daniel Gifford of Marble Hill, Mo.; a daughter, Shirley Watson of Kelso, Mo.; two stepsons, William Weatherford of Santa Fe, Texas, Thomas Weatherford of Collierville, Tenn.; a stepdaughter, Patricia Fowler of San Angelo, Texas; nine grandchildren; 10 stepgrandchildren; a great-grandchild; and four great-stepgrandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, stepdaughter, two sisters and a brother.

Friends may call at Shelby Funeral Home in East Prairie after 5 p.m. today.

The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home, with David Dowdy and Burl Britt officiating. Burial will be in East Prairie Memorial Park Cemetery.