Janice Raye Merriman Pinnell

Janice Raye Pinnell, 63, of Wappapello, formerly of Sikeston, died December 31, 2011 at the Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center. Born October 24, 1948, in Sikeston, to Opal Robinson Merriman of Sikeston and the late Ray P. Merriman, she was a 1966 graduate of Sikeston High School. She was employed as a bookkeeper and secretary for Gaylon Lawrence Farms and Lambert’s Café, and attended the Tanner Street Church of God in Sikeston. On August 20, 1966, in Pituxon River, MD, she married Bill Pinnell, who survives of the home.

Other survivors include: one son and daughter-in-law, Tim and Christy Pinnell of Miner; one daughter and her fiancé, Leigh Anne Rataj and Lee Bishop of Sikeston; and one sister, Mary Anne Kilmer of Sikeston. Also surviving are four grandchildren, Jessica Rataj, Elizabeth C. Rataj, Emily Christine Pinnell and Erin Miranda Pinnell; and one step great grandson, Ryan Lee Carter-Bishop.

Visitation will be Tuesday, January 3, 2012, from 5:00-8:00pm at the Nunnelee Funeral Chapel, where services will be held Wednesday at 1:00pm, with the Rev. John Neeley, pastor of the Tanner Street Church of God, officiating.

Burial will follow in the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield.