SIKESTON, Mo. -- Joyce Imogene "Jean" Whitson, 68, of Sikeston died Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2002, at her home.

She was born Dec. 18, 1933, in New Madrid County, Mo., daughter of James W. and Violet May Rhodes Lomax. She first married Robert Y. Dixon, who died Jan. 25, 1969. She and William A. "Bill" Whitson were married July 31, 1982, at Sikeston.

Whitson received a bachelor of science degree from Southeast Missouri State University. She retired as a special education teacher at Sikeston High School.

She moved to Sikeston 46 years ago from Matthews, Mo. She was a member of Mount Calvary Missionary Baptist Church and the Ladies Golf Association at Sikeston Country Club.

Survivors include her husband; a son and daughter-in-law, Stephen Wayne and Melinda Dixon of Sikeston; a daughter and son-in-law, Karla Jean and Ben Britt of Ballwin, Mo.; a stepson and daughter-in-law, Alan and Bridget Whitson of Ballwin; a stepdaughter and son-in-law, Melanie C. and Cliff Lankheit of Cape Girar-deau; a daughter-in-law, Sherrie Dixon of Sikeston; a brother, James V. Lomax of Memphis, Tenn.; four sisters, Pat White of Sikeston, Janet Ellen Jackson of Van Buren, Mo., Mildred Marble of Frankston, Texas, Clodine Trail of Sikeston; six grandchildren; and four stepgrandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a son, James Robert "Jim Bob" Dixon; and a brother, Howard Lomax.

Friends may call at Blanchard Funeral Chapel from 5 to 8 p.m. today.

The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at Mount Calvary Church. The Rev. John Tarter will officiate. Burial will be in Garden of Memories Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Alan Whitson, Cliff Lankheit, Randall Shrull, Wayne Angle, Anthony Angle and Harold Allred.

Memorials may be made to Mount Calvary Missionary Baptist Church, 194 S. Interstate Drive, Miner, Mo., 63801, or the American Cancer Society.