Lela Pauline (Jackson) Painter, the daughter of Lloyd and Lela (Tallant) Jackson was born May 1, 1951, in Phelps City, Missouri. Lela attended the Phelps City and Rock Port Schools.

In 1967, Lela was united in marriage to Roy Wayne Esser. They became the parents of one daughter Amy. They were later divorced. On June 1969, Lela was united in marriage to Terrance Bendon. They became the parents of two children, Phillip, and Lanie. They were later divorced. In 1996, Lela was united in marriage to Jerry Painter. They made their home in Phelps City to the present time. Lela was a lifelong resident of Phelps City, who served on the town board and took pride in helping the town look its best. Lela passed away Monday, July 4, 2011, at the Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska at the age of 60 years.

Lela was a loving wife, mother, sister and grandmother. She looked forward to spending time with her family, especially her nine grandchildren. She was a very hard and dedicated worker. She worked as a cook, waitress, cleaned houses and mowed yards. Lela enjoyed taking care of her flowers and garden.

Besides her parents, Lela was preceded in death by five brothers, Lloyd Jackson, Wilbur Jackson, Jack Jackson, Cletus Jackson, and John R. Jackson, Sr., and three sisters, Edith Record, Sally Anderson and Leola Lewis. Survivors include her husband, Jerry Painter, Phelps City; two daughters, Amy Matzen and fiance Terrance Weelborg, of Blair, Nebraska, and Lanie Smith and husband, Jason of Lawrence, Kansas and son, Phillip Bendon and wife, Samantha; nine grandchildren, Jared, Donnie, Ashley, Ryan, Drew, Jacob, Gabriel, Evan and Thaddeus; brother, Audley Jackson and wife, Clara, Rock Port; sisters, Joan Humphrey, Carnation, Washington, Jean Jochim and husband Jim, and Judy Lisle, both of Rock Port, Linda Fuston and husband, Pat, Hamburg, Iowa; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorial Services: 10:00 a.m, Saturday, July 9, 2011, Grace Church, Rock Port.
Private Family Inurnment: Linden Cemetery, Rock Port
The family will receive friends at 12:00 pm, July 9th, 2011, in the Fellowship Hall at Grace Church.
Memorials: Lela Painter Memorial Fund
Online obituaries and condolences at www.minterfuneralchapels.com
Services: Minter Funeral Chapel, Rock Port.