Adeline Leader Shearon

Adeline Leader Shearon, 92, died Monday, July 3, 2017, at University of Missouri Hospital in Columbia after a two-week struggle with cancer.

She was born Aug. 19, 1924, in Poplar Bluff to Albert Franklin and Margaret Caroline Epps Leader. Growing up on her mother’s farm southwest of Harviell, she graduated from Neelyville High School in 1943. She moved to Harvey, Ill., and worked as a “Rosie the Riveter,” inspecting aircraft components forged for U.S. war planes at the Ingalls-Shepherd division of Wyman-Gordon.

On Nov. 27, 1945, she married Clyde J. Shearon in Piggott, Ark. He died Sept. 8, 2005.

She lived at their East Side residence for 68 years before moving to River Mist Assisted Living, where she was part of a caring, compassionate family of residents and staff for the past 2 ½ years. She enjoyed traveling to visit family members, dining out and her pet cats. Mrs. Shearon was a member of Bible Baptist Church and also had attended Grand Avenue Baptist Church.

Surviving are three children, Kenneth (Etna) Shearon of Piedmont, Robert Shearon (Sherry Englehardt) of Poplar Bluff and Dolores Shearon (Gregory Horstmeier) of Omaha, Neb.; a stepdaughter, Virginia Yandell of Fenton; a niece, Martha McKim Jones of St. Charles; a nephew, John McKim of Harviell; six grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren and 21 great-great-grandchildren;

In addition to her parents, sister, Mina McKim and husband, she was preceded in death four weeks ago by a stepson, Jack Shearon.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at Cotrell Funeral Chapel in Poplar Bluff, where the funeral will be conducted by the Rev. Shelvie Stephens at 11 a.m. Saturday. Burial will follow in Poplar Bluff City Cemetery.