Lela G. Marquis, the daughter of the late Willie and Hattie Mae Warren Duck, was born in Dyer, Tenn., on Oct. 5, 1917, and died at the Beverly Health Center in Bloomfield on Sunday, July 31, 2005, at the age of 87.

Mrs. Marquis had lived in Malden until 1954 before moving to Dexter. She was retired from Elder Manufacturing where she was a seamstress for over 30 years.

She was married to Joe Marquis on Oct. 24, 1953, in Bernie, and he preceded her in death on May 24, 1996.

Surviving are four sons, Wayne Marquis of Poplar Bluff, James Wheatley of Severn, Md., Paul Wheatley of Memphis, Tenn., and Elbert Wheatley of Piedmont; two daughters, Betty Owens and Pat Batten, both of Dexter; 12 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and one brother, Bill Duck of Jackson.

She was preceded in death by two brothers, Harvey and Robert Duck.

Visitation was held from 5-8 p.m. Monday, Aug. 1, 2005, at the Watkins & Sons Funeral Home in Dexter.

Funeral services were conducted at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2005, in the Watkins & Sons Chapel in Dexter with Rev. Lester Clayton of Dexter officiating.

Interment followed in the Sadler's Chapel Cemetery near Dexter with Watkins & Sons Funeral Service of Dexter in charge of local arrangements.