Erma Jean Pendleton, age 85, of Belle, was born March 29, 1936, in Osage County, the daughter of George Thomas and Minnie May (McKinney) Backues, and passed from this life Tuesday, September 14, 2021, in Capital Region Medical Center, Jefferson City.

She was united in marriage July 3, 1954, at Dixon, to James Ulysses Pendleton, and to this union, two sons were born.

Erma Jean was a member of  Liberty Church of Christ, Belle, and was baptized there June 18, 1995.  During her working life, she was employed at International Shoe Company, Belle, from 1953 to 1980; at Ottenihemir Garment Factory, Vichy, 1981 to 1989, at Maries R-2 Schools, Belle, in food service for six years, prior to her retirement in 1995.  Erma Jean was a devoted housewife and homemaker to her husband and sons during her life as well.

Those left to mourn the passing of Mrs. Pendleton include:  Her husband of 67 years, James, of their home in Belle; her sons, James E. Pendleton and his wife, Joan, of Hallsville, and Dennis Lee Pendleton of Belle; other relatives and friends; and especially her little dog, Shrimp.

She was preceded in death by her father, George (2-25-1980); her mother, Minnie (1-14-1990); and her three brothers, infant Earl Eugene Backues (10-7-1934 – 11-5-1934), Delmar Chesley Backues, (2-18-2018, and Roy Milford Backues (1-1-2005).

Visitation for Mrs. Erma Jean Pendleton will be held from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Monday, September 20, 2021, in Birmingham-Martin Funeral Home, 406 South Main Street, Vienna, MO 65582, and from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, September 21, 2021, in Liberty Church of Christ, 35010 Maries Road 314, Belle, MO 65013, with her funeral service following at 11:00 a.m. with Randy Carr officiating under the direction of Birmingham-Martin Funeral Home in Vienna.

Interment will be in the Liberty Cemetery, Belle, with relatives and friends serving as pallbearers for Mrs. Pendleton.  Memorials in her memory are suggested per the wishes of the family with envelopes available at the funeral home and Liberty Church of Christ or in care of Birmingham-Martin Funeral Home, P.O. Box 250, Vienna, MO 65582.