Mary Ella (Burnley) Epps

Mary Ella Epps, 91, of Edwardsville, IL, formerly of the Harviell area in Butler County, passed away Tuesday, February 17, 2015, at the Hospice House of Edwardsville, IL.

Mrs. Epps was born in Kevil, KY on February 21, 1923, to Willie and Ora Casey Burnley. On May 20, 1946, she married John Richard Epps. He preceded her in death on March 11, 1986.

Mrs. Epps was a retired school teacher and was a member of the Missouri Retired Teachers Association. Growing up in the Baptist faith, she had been attending a Lutheran church while living in Illinois. Mrs. Epps was also a member of the Eastern Star.

Survivors include her children: John Burnley Epps (Lisa), of Glen Carbon, IL, and Jacquelyn Shireman (Dennis), of Marion, AR; two brothers: Charles Burnley, of Searcy, AR, and Wayne Burnley, of Jackson, MS; and five grandchildren.

Along with her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents, five brothers and a sister.

Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday at Cotrell Funeral Chapel in Poplar Bluff. The funeral service will follow at 11 a.m. in the funeral chapel, with Rev. Jim Schremp officiating. Interment will be at Cochran Cemetery in Butler County.

In lieu of flowers the family has requested that memorial donations be made to the American Diabetes Foundation, the American Heart Association or the Hospice House of Edwardsville, IL.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.cotrellfuneralservice.com.