Hilda Bernice Saylor, 89, of De Soto died June 24, 2021, at the Crystal Oaks Nursing Facility in Festus. Mrs. Saylor worked at the Grants store in Festus and was a substitute teacher in the Sunrise School District in De Soto. She graduated from Jefferson College with an associate degree and was a member of Park View Baptist Church in De Soto, the Sunrise School PTA and of AARP. She loved singing, gardening and baking, winning several ribbons at the Jefferson County Fair. Born Feb. 4, 1932, in Carrier Mills, Ill., she was the daughter of the late Bert and Virgie (Cranmer) Howard. She was preceded in death by her husband: Clarence Ray Saylor.
She is survived by five children: the Rev. Christine Saylor, Roger (Rhonda) Saylor, Kevin (Marilyn) Saylor Sr., Dennis (Connie) Saylor and Howard Saylor, all of De Soto; two siblings: Phyllis (George) Graesfer of Florissant and Jesse James Howard of St. Louis; five grandchildren: Kyle (Lily) Saylor, Maggie Saylor, Kevin Bruce (Joy) Saylor Jr.; Elizabeth Saylor and Keith (Jessie) Saylor; and two great-grandchildren: Evaleigh and Bradley.
Visitation is scheduled from 4-8 p.m. Thursday, July 1, at Dietrich-Mothershead Funeral Home, 220 N. Main, in De Soto. A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, July 2, at the funeral home, officiated by the Rev. Mike Blank. Burial is in the National Cemetery at Jefferson Barracks. Memorials may be made to Park View Baptist Church, 1531 Hillcrest Drive, De Soto, 63020. Arrangements are under the direction of Dietrich-Mothershead Funeral Home.