Susie Lenora Coursey

Susie Lenora Coursey, 96, of Poplar Bluff died Monday, Jan. 19, 2009 at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center.

Mrs. Coursey was born Dec. 6, 1912, in Blackwater, Mo., and was a member of Brown Chapel A.M.E. Church, in Poplar Bluff. Mrs. Coursey received her Bachelor of Science Degree from Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Mo, a Master of Arts Degree from Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa, and in 1993 received an Honorary Doctorate Degree from Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Mo. She was a teacher of Home Economics for the Poplar Bluff Public Schools until her retirement. Mrs. Coursey enjoyed working with children, cooking, sewing, gardening and growing flowers.

On Sept. 29, 1934 she married Charles E. Coursey in Chillicothe, Mo. He preceded her in death on March 21, 1997.

Survivors include her sons: Edward R. Coursey and wife Mildred, of Poplar Bluff and Ronald E. Coursey and wife M. Deloris, of Gulfport, MS.; four grandchildren: Ronald E. Coursey II and wife Michelle, Joseph A. Coursey, Edward Dwayne Coursey and wife Kristy and Jeanine Michelle Coursey; and five great-grandchildren: Lauren Coursey, Morgan Coursey, Joseph Brown, Aaliyah Coursey and William Coursey.

Her parents, John and Stella (Green) Stapleton, sisters, Alzaida Stower, Naomi Johnson and Annie Smith, brother, Thomas Delmar Stapleton and grandson, Michael Edward Coursey preceded Mrs. Coursey in death.

Visitation will be from 6 - 8 p.m. Friday at Cotrell Funeral Chapel in Poplar Bluff. A second visitation will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday at Brown Chapel A.M.E. Church with the funeral following at 11 a.m. The Rev. James Boler will officiate. Burial will be at Woodlawn Cemetery, in Poplar Bluff.