Anita V. Link

Anita Virginia Bean Link, age 87, of Jefferson City, Mo., formerly of Poplar Bluff, Mo. died Wednesday, March 22, 2017 at Capital Regional Medical Center in Jefferson City.

Anita was born December 22, 1929 in Richland, Mo., the only daughter of Lyman L Bean and Pauline (Cranick) Bean. She graduated from Dexter High School, and was a member of the First Baptist Church in Poplar Bluff. Anita worked as an operator for Southwestern Bell Telephone Company, Poplar Bluff Public Schools, Doane Ag in St. Louis and the Missouri License Bureau. In 2006, she moved to Jefferson City to care for her mother.

Her greatest joys were her family. She enjoyed making personal Birthday and Christmas cards for them. She lovingly gave each grandchild and great grandchild a nickname, special to each one. She was affectionately called Grandma Darlin and will be deeply missed by each and every one of her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, family and friends. She was a kind and gracious lady with a kind and loving heart.

Anita was united in marriage on April 11, 1948 in Piggott, Ark. to Kenneth M. (Jack) Link who preceded her in death on November 20, 1990.

Survivors include three children, daughter Brenda (Ron) Ryan, Jefferson City, Mo., Kenneth M. Jr. (Alice) Link, Ft. Worth, TX and Steven “Doug” (Cheryll) Link, Poplar Bluff. Ten grandchildren, Ron (Michelle) Ryan, Chris (Holly) Ryan, Trisha (Matt) Sandbothe, Julie (Philipp) Steffens, Will (Kelly) Link, Kenner (Elizabeth) Link, Jake (Katie) Link, Colby (Jeremy) Catt, Jeremy (Carrie) Booker and Brandi (Matt) Wilkerson; 21 greatgrandchildren, Nick, Kaylee, Jack, Austin and Harper Ryan, Tyler and Mattie Grace Sandbothe, Henry and Hugo Steffens, Auggie, Ellery, Savy, Etta, Cody and Becca Link, Cheyenne and Jaci Catt, Jacob and Kaitlyn Booker and Lauryn and Megan Wilkerson.

Anita is also survived by three brothers, Willard (Connie) Bean, Jefferson City, Wayne (Carol) Bean, Union, Mo. and Gary (JoDean) Bean, Niceville, Fla..; also many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, March 28, 2017at Cotrell Funeral Chapel in Poplar Bluff with the funeral service following at 11:00 a.m. The Rev. Brandon Spain will officiate. Interment will be at the Poplar Bluff City Cemetery.

Anita was so grateful that all of her children and grandchildren were blessed to be healthy. She requested in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Shriners Hospital for Children in her memory.