Marcus Dean "L.C." Pilgrim, 78, of Lepanto, died Monday, July 25, 2005, at his home. He was born Aug. 5, 1926, at Oil Trough. He was a retired construction worker and a veteran with the U.S. Army. He was a member of Etowah Pentecostal Church of God in Etowah and an avid musician who loved to play gospel music.

He is survived by his wife, Betty Pilgrim, of Lepanto; three daughters, Brenda Kay Shinall of Trumann, Teresa Gail Gosa of Lake City, and Marcia Denette Holiman of Lepanto; three sons, Russell Dean "Rusty" Pilgrim of West Plains, Mo., Kevin Eugene Pilgrim and Christopher Wade "Bubba" Pilgrim, both of Lepanto; a sister, Linda Bozzard of Caraway; two brothers, Howard Pilgrim of Birmingham, Ala., and Bob Pilgrim of Lepanto; 12 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Orvill and Gladys Pennington Pilgrim; a sister, Nellie Vickery; and a brother, J.D. Pilgrim.

The funeral was held at 11 a.m. Thursday at the Etowah Pentecostal Church of God in Etowah with Brother Huey Meherg officiating. Burial was in Potters Cemetery in Lepanto with Wilson Funeral Home of Osceola in charge of arrangements.