Jeerl (Etheridge) Deen Biggers
Jeerl Deen (Etheridge) Biggers, 91, was carried by angels from home into the loving arms of Jesus, July 4, and was reunited with her husband, mother, father, church family, relatives, and friends. We rejoice in her reunion and celebration. Jeerl Deen was born in Republic, December 26, 1918, to Lewis Jennings and Jerlie Jewel (Sallee) Etheridge. She accepted Christ as her Savior at an early age and during her childhood was an active member of a local country church. She and her parents moved to Ontario, California, for three years during the depression but then returned to Republic and was a member of the Hood Methodist Church in Republic. She graduated from Republic High School and was offered a scholarship to the Teacher’s College (now MSU). Instead, she chose to remain to live on a 160 acre dairy farm near Republic with her parents while she worked at the Springfield Garment Factory for 15 years. Jeerl Deen was united in marriage to Earl B. Biggers April 5, 1947. She and Earl exchanged vows in a double wedding ceremony with Harold and Thelma Etheridge, Jeerl Deen’s cousin. She and her husband joined High Street Baptist Church in 1953 and served and worshipped actively until health no longer permitted regular attendance. Jeerl Deen enjoyed serving in the Toddler Department for many years. She was also actively involved in the Women’s Prayer Meeting under the leadership of her dear friend, Peggy Smith and helped with the missionary outreach newsletter. For many years she enjoyed baking regularly to help provide meals for church and community families following a memorial service at the church. She also baked and ministered to the widows and shut-ins from High Street. She remained a member until recently joining the Heavenly congregation of Saints. On July 6, 1955, Jeerl Deen gave birth to her baby girl, Gloria, who has always been her pride and joy. Jeerl Deen will be remembered for loving her Lord Jesus and enjoying her family and churchwork. Additionally, she liked to read her Bible and Our Daily Bread; listen to favorite hymns; grow and share beautiful roses; drink lemonade; eat ice cream; bake; cook for others; serve others; and listen to Gloria play the piano. Among her favorite scriptures were Phil 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengthenth me and Prov 3:6 In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths. Jeerl Deen is survived by her daughter, Gloria McTeer (Biggers); son-in-law, Kenneth McTeer; grandson, Michael McTeer; granddaughter and grandson-in-law, Krystal and Nathan Richardson; granddaughter, Rebekah McTeer; brother-in-law, Marion Biggers, and two sisters-in-law, Goldie Schupbach and Ruby Biggers; cousins, many nieces, nephews, and their children, and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Earl; and brothers- and sisters-in-law, Christina Biggers, Everett Biggers, Bertha and Charlie Dilthy, Frances and Hobart Goddard, Elva Latimer, Wilson Schupbach, Truman and Fern Trantham, and Clarence Wolf. Even during the last days of her journey home, she validated our faith in Jesus yet again being willing to be used by God to allow us to see His divine reality and power. Because of this experience we have a new level of faith, new relationships with God, and new friends that will last a lifetime. We will sorely miss her Christian testimony, but we will forever be affected by her legacy and love for Jesus. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday in Greenlawn North. A service to celebrate her life will begin at 3 p.m. Thursday, officiated by John Stever with comments from Belva Tarrant. Her final resting place until the Lord’s return will be in Eastlawn Cemetery beside her husband of 34 years. We want to say a special thank you to Dr. Rosen and his staff for the wonderful, personal care provided for Mom the last 15 years and to all the staff in Preferred Hospice and Premier Home Health Care for the love, care, support, guidance, listening ear, and friendship shown to all of us the last six months. Without your help, we could not have cared for Mom the last few months and would have missed all the blessings, personal growth, and memories we now share. Thank you! Online condolences and messages of special memories may be posted at www.greenlawnfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, please send your donations to a special fund set up at Old Missouri Bank for Annie Poole who was Mom’s special Hospice nurse and dear friend until a recent near fatal car accident.