Mildred Marie Labbee, 79, daughter of Garland and Elva Beasley Patterson, was born Nov. 25, 1928, at Montauk. She died July 23, 2008, at St. John’s Hospital in Springfield.
She grew up in the Raymondville area and married Adian Labbee May 1, 1946. They had 11 children and were married 56 years before Mr. Labbee’s death Dec. 15, 2002.
The Labbees lived in St. Louis for several years, where Mrs. Labbee was a welder in a factory.
Mrs. Labbee enjoyed embroidering, making gifts for family and friends. She was a gardener and could make anything grow with her “green thumb.” She also like to go to Las Vegas and play the slot machines.
She was a caregiver, assisting with her sons, Rick and Danny, when they were ill.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; two daughters, Sandy and LaVaughn; two sons, Rick and Danny; four children as infants; two brothers, Jimmy and Arthur; one sister, Wanda; and one grandson.
Surviving are two daughters, Vivian Williams of Strafford and Jannett Labbee of Springfield; one son, Clifton of Bourbon; five sisters, Bettie Hill of Houston, June Hayes, Bonnie Price and Carol Lomax of Licking and Virginia Bissett of Branson; 14 grandchildren, 36 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren.
Services were July 26 at the Evans Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Wesley Wallace officiating. Burial was in the Mahan Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the Mahan Cemetery Association.