Bessie B. McKeever, 91, of 703 Chestnut St., Murphysboro, the grandmother of Murphysboro Mayor Michael Bowers, died Sunday, May 22, 1977, in St. Joseph Memorial Hospital, after an illness of two years.

She was born March 20, 1886, in Rinard, to the Rev. Joseph W. and Julia Gowan McDaniel. She was married in Murphysboro in July of 1903 to Pat Bowers, who preceded her in death. She was later married to Don H. McKeever, who also preceded her in death.

Mrs. McKeever was a member of the United Methodist Church of Murphysboro. She was also a member of the Royal Neighbors Lodge of Murphysboro, and a member of the Alpha Bible Class of the United Methodist Church in Carbondale, and the United Methodist Church in Murphysboro.

Mrs. McKeever previously had managed a student facility in Carbondale, where she had lived for 40 years.

Survivors include two daughters, Verna Bittle of Akron, Ohio, and Juanita Stewart of Murphysboro; a son, Robert McDaniel from Murphysboro; two foster daughters, Rose Marie Behler of Decatur and Julia F. Batt; three foster sons, Norman McDaniel of Ducuna, Miss., Gene McDaniel of Decatur, and William McDaniel of Chester; four sisters, Emma Morris of St. Louis, Marjorie Reeves of Clarksville, Tenn, and Virginia Wyatt and Mae Holliday, both of Murphysboro; six grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and two stepdaughters, Hazel Bean and Gladys Lehmann, both of Murphysboro.

A son, Clifton Bowers, and four brothers, three sisters, and two grandchildren preceded her in death.

Funeral services will be in the Denny and Pettett Funeral Home in Murphysboro, with burial in Tower Grove Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the United Methodist Church of Murphysboro.

Source: Obituary, Southern Illinoisan, Monday, May 23, 1977