Inez Ranson

CHAFFEE, Mo. -- Inez T. Ranson, 91, of Benton, Mo., died Saturday, Dec. 9, 2006, at the Chaffee Nursing Center in Chaffee.

She was born Jan. 24, 1915, in Ursa, Ill., daughter of Arthur Lee and Ermal Anderson Trent. She and Clement "Clem" Ranson were married on March 1, 1936, in Quincy, Ill. He died July 15, 1985.

Ranson graduated from high school in Ursa. She worked for Buckner-Ragsdale for 25 years and Brown Owl, both in Cape Girardeau, and was a residential caregiver for 15 years. She retired in 2000 at age 85.

She was a member of St. Denis Catholic Church, St. Denis Ladies Sodality and a longtime member of SEMO Iris Society for more than 30 years.

She is survived by a daughter, Carol (Walter) Messmer of Benton; five grandchildren, Sarah Messmer of Benton, Matthew Clay (Mindy) Messmer of Ballwin, Mo., Rebecca (Shawn) Nickell of Garwood, N.J., Kirkpatrick (Linda) Ranson of Kirksville, Mo. and John Shannon (Barbara) Ranson of Manchester, Mo.; five great-grandchildren, Anna Grace, Kate Elizabeth and Sydney Ann of Manchester, Abby Danniele and Patrick Stephen of Kirksville.

In addition to her parents and her husband, she was preceded in death by a son, John Patrick Ranson, in 1982, and two brothers.

Friends may call from 9 to 11 a.m. Wednesday at St. Denis Catholic Church.

Funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at St. Denis Catholic Church. Burial will be at St. Denis Church Cemetery in Benton

Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tenn. 38105.

Ford and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.