UTICA — Lawrence Edgar Puckett died Saturday, Dec. 13, 2008, at his home in Utica. He was 73.

A lifelong resident of Utica, Mr. Puckett was a retired telegraph operator for Illinois Central Railroad. He was an Army veteran and a member of Utica Baptist Church.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Douglas and Grace Puckett; and a sister, Doris Mathes.

Survivors include one daughter, Melissa Tolbert of Richland; two brothers, Sonny Puckett of Utica and Bruce Puckett of Terry; one sister, Patsy Boyd of Utica; and two grandchildren.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Glenwood Funeral Home in Utica with the Rev. Nick Smith officiating. Burial will follow at Utica Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6 until 8 tonight at the funeral home in Utica.

Pallbearers will be Larry Boyd, Brad Boyd, Robert Boyd, Ethan Tolbert, Kevin Horn and Earl Mathes.