Josiephine Merriweather, 73, of Sandusky, died Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2003, at her home.

She was born Nov. 28, 1929, in Sunflower, Miss., daughter of Willie and Callie Rodgers Seals.

She married Fletcher Merriweather. He survives.

She lived in Illinois for over 55 years and was a retired cook. She was a member of Mt. Tabor Missionary Baptist Church in Sandusky.

Survivors include seven sons, Elijah Brown Jr., of Chester, Ill., Ovell Brown and Jerome Merriweather, both of Cape Girardeau, Savoy Merriweather of St. Louis, Mo., Harvey Merriweather of Villa Ridge, Ill., Wesley Merriweather of Oakland, Calif., and Johnny Warren of Tamms, Ill.; five daughters, Elizabeth Bowen of Alamo, Tenn., Linda Newell of Cairo, Ill., Deborah Merriweather of Bloomington, Ill., Glena Merriweather of Tamms, and Callie Ramsey of Memphis, Tenn.; four sisters, Irene Lott and Elizabeth English, both of Cleveland, Ohio, Mae Ella Cassell and Esther B. Gillespie, both of Charleston, Mo.; 39 grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

Friends may call from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at Mount Tabor Missionary Baptist Church.

Funeral will be at 1 p.m. at the church with Robert L. James and the Rev. Stephen Lott officiating. Burial will be in Spencer Heights Memorial Park in Mounds, Ill.

Sparks Funeral Home in Charleston is in charge of arrangements.