J.T. Simpkins

EAST PRAIRIE - John T. "J.T." Simpkins, 86, died Jan. 12, 2005, at Beverly Healthcare in New Madrid.

Born Feb. 18, 1918, in Hornersville, son of the late Earl and Bertha Brotherton Simpkins, he lived in East Prairie most of his life, where he retired from the MFA Oil Co. and was a member of the First Baptist Church. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II.

In 1965, he married Thelma Pauline Posey who preceded him in death on Nov. 21, 1987.

Survivors include: two sons and daughters-in-law, Willis and Betty Black and Lawrence and Darlene Black of East Prairie; two daughters and one son-in-law, Patricia Gaddis of Poplar Bluff and Marylin and Paul Haney of East Prairie; one brother, Earl D. Simpkins of East Prairie; four grandchildren, Tracy Harget and Rushell Lazalier of Poplar Bluff, Kelvin Black of East Prairie and Paul Gaddis of Park Hills; and four great-grandchildren.

Also preceding him in death were one brother, Paul Simpkins; two sisters, Marie Abner and Louise Melton; one stepbrother, Pollard Finley; one stepsister, Lorene Bailey; and his stepmother, Dora Kate Simpkins.

Visitation begins at 6 p.m. today at Shelby Funeral Home, where services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday with George White officiating.

Burial will follow in East Prairie Memorial Park Cemetery.