Mrs. Eleanor Emmaline Lacy Underwood of Piggott died Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2007, at the General Baptist Nursing Home in Campbell, at the age of 100 years, one month, and 27 days.

Her death resulted from complications of a fall on Sept. 11, one day after her 100th birthday, in which she broke her right femur in four places.

Mrs. Underwood was born in Campbell, Mo., on Sept. 10, 1907, the second of three daughters of James R. Lacy and Lula B. McElyea Lacy. She spent most of her childhood in Campbell, but her family also lived in Fulton, Mo., while her older sister Lena attended the Missouri School for the Deaf. After finishing school in Campbell, Eleanor moved to St. Louis, where she worked several years for Century Electric Company.

She moved to Piggott in 1942 when she married John Underwood, a widower with four young children for whom she became "Mama."

Mrs. Underwood lived in Piggott until 2003, when she moved to the General Baptist Nursing Home in Campbell, following a fall in her home that prevented further independent living.

Mrs. Underwood was raised in the Baptist Church, but after moving to Piggott, she joined the First United Methodist Church of Piggott, the church home of the Underwood family. She was a member of that church for over 50 years.

Mrs. Underwood was preceded in death by her parents; her sisters, Lena Lacy Forrest and Arwillia Lacy Dodd; by her husband, John D. Underwood; and by a child, Gloria Jean Underwood, who died at birth.

She is survived by her four Underwood children and their spouses, Peggy Underwood Ballard and husband Jack Ballard of Piggott; John D. Underwood, Jr., and wife Sandra of Denison, Texas; Beverly Underwood Irby and husband Bill Irby of Piggott; and Gary Underwood and wife Shelia Ross of Austin, Texas.

Mrs. Underwood is also survived by 11 grandchildren, Paula Ballard Roberts of Van Buren, David Ballard of Piggott, Steven Underwood of Denison, Texas, Cynthia Underwood Lyons of Lewisville, Texas, Laura Underwood Cichowski of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., Gail Irby Robinson of Ashland, Ky., Lynae Irby Cole of Memphis, Allison Irby Jacobs of Fort Smith, Alice Underwood of New York City, Travis Underwood of San Antonio, Texas and Riley Underwood of Austin, Texas. She is also survived by 16 great-grandchildren and six great-great grandchildren.

A graveside funeral service was held Friday, Nov. 9, at the Piggott Cemetery, where Mrs. Underwood was buried next to her husband and daughter. The Rev. Charles Cooper of First Untied Methodist Church of Piggott officiated. Hoggard & Sons Funeral Home of Piggott was in charge of the arrangements.

Memorials are suggested to the First United Methodist Church of Piggott or the General Baptist Nursing Home in Campbell.