Ruth Carter

Ruth Carter

Ruth Carter, 78, of Kirksville, MO, (formerly of Unionville, MO), passed away at the University of Missouri Hospital in Columbia, MO, on Thursday, October 30, 2014.

Ruth Darlene Carter, only child of Charlie and Jennie (White) Carter, was born in the Omaha community of Putnam County, MO, on March 28, 1936. Ruth was stricken with polio in 1940, leaving her confined to a wheelchair. She graduated from Livonia High School in 1954. Ruth lived in Unionville, MO, until 1991 when she moved to Kirksville, MO, where she resided at the Village 76.

Ruth accomplished many goals in her life. She became active in several organizations that kept her busy. Ruth enjoyed volunteer work. She served as resident commissioner on the Kirksville Housing Authority Board of Directors, was a board member and secretary for the Rural Advocate for Independent Living (RAIL), was secretary of Region II council for Developmental Disabilities, was on the Adair County Support Group and a member of the Kirk-Tran Public Transportation Advisory Committee. Ruth was contact person for OATS transportation system in Kirksville and Vice Chairperson of OATS. Ruth telephoned recruitments for the American Red Cross Blood services/RSVP bloodmobile volunteer workers and was a member of RSVP, MOAIDD volunteer, polio connection of America volunteer, and the Village 76 tenant council. She participated in the KCOM Home calls program.

Ruth had the opportunity to travel to conferences in many states. She loved to travel and fly! She enjoyed sewing her own clothes, handiwork, baking, reading, country and gospel music, meeting new friends, visiting with family and friends and corresponding with pen pals in many states for more than fifty years. She also enjoyed keeping a diary for over 55 years. She was a member of First Baptist Church in Unionville, MO.

Ruth fought many obstacles, be she kept her faith in the Lord. If you were to stop by on Sunday morning she would be in front of the TV watching a church service or listening to gospel music on her computer.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, Charlie Carter, on October 14, 1965, and her mother, Jennie Carter, on September 16, 1991. She is survived by aunts, many cousins and friends.

Funeral services for Ruth Carter will be at Playle and Jones Family Funeral Home in Unionville, MO, at 2:00 PM on Sunday, November 2, 2014. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at the Mitchell Cemetery north of Livonia, MO.

Memorials are suggested to the Rural Advocate for Independent Living (RAIL), Adair County OATS support group, or the Mitchell Cemetery and may be entrusted with Playle and Jones Family Funeral Home, 709 S. 27th St., Unionville, MO 63565.