PORTAGEVILLE — Albert E. "Bud" Sisson, 77, died Friday, June 28, 2019, at the New Madrid Living Center in New Madrid, Missouri.

A respected and loved pharmacist, Mr. Bud took care of Portageville as long as he could. He was a friend, mentor and confidante to many; he was on call 24/7, and is fondly remembered by all those who needed something after hours – because he never ignored a late-night phone call.

Bud was born in Sewickley, Pennsylvania, on July 22, 1941. When he was a child, his family moved to Mayfield, Kentucky where he was raised with his brothers Gary, Bill & Bob by their parents, Edward Nufer Sisson and Cleo Gregory Sisson. A proud Eagle Scout, he graduated from Mayfield High School in 1959.

Bud first attended Centre College in Danville, Kentucky before continuing his education and receiving his degree from the University of Tennessee College of Pharmacy in 1965. It was during pharmacy school in Memphis that he met, fell in love with, and married Joanne Fowler of LaForge, Missouri. Following pharmacy school, his servant's heart led him to work in several independent pharmacies in Southeast Missouri before landing a job at Butler Drug in Portageville, Missouri, where he moved with his family in 1970. In 1975, he bought the drug store, owning and operating it until his semi-retirement in 2001. He retired completely in 2013.

He loved the town of Portageville, and Portageville loved him in return. Bud served two terms as city alderman, followed by two terms as mayor. In 1978, when the New Madrid County Ambulance Board was formed, Bud joined as chairman of the board, where he served until his retirement in 2012. He was a longtime member of First Baptist Church in Portageville, where he was a Sunday School teacher from 1975-2010 and was ordained as a deacon in 1985. He also served in the National Guard for six years.

Bud is survived by Joanne, his wife of 54 years, and their two children, Cindi and Clay. Cindi resides in Union City, Tennessee with her husband Brad Cook and their four children – Molly, 23; Cace, 21; Libby, 19; & Chloe, 18. Clay lives in Collierville, Tennessee with his wife Jennifer and their two children – Jake, 18, & Eli, 13. Bud is also survived by his brother, Gary (Lauren), of Pennsylvania; his brother, Bill, of Lexington, Kentucky; his brother, Bob (Patty), of Asheville, North Carolina; and several nieces and nephews.

Bud loved Jesus, his family, his friends and his customers. In the spare time that he had, he could likely be found at the golf course with Chester & Sonny, Alex & Jake, & Eugene.

Visitation will be Monday, July 1 from 5 – 9 p.m. at First Baptist Church, 608 DeLisle Avenue, in Portageville. The funeral service will be held on Tuesday, July 2 at 2 p.m. at the church, with burial to follow in the Portageville Cemetery.

DeLisle Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

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The family requests donations be made in his honor to the Bud Sisson Memorial Police Academy Scholarship Fund, c/o Nick Cartee, First State Bank & Trust, 301 East 3 ^rd Street, Portageville, MO, 63873.