Jo Ruth Hoover

Jo Ruth Brewer Hoover, 73, of Jackson died Saturday, Jan. 31, 2004, at Monticello House in Jackson.

She was born Feb. 29, 1930, in Mountain View, Ark., daughter of H. Clay Brewer and Rubye Evans Brewer. She and William C. Hoover were married Sept. 1, 1950, in Mountain View.

Jo Ruth attended Arkansas College in Batesville, Ark., and was later graduated from Arkansas State Teachers College in Conway, Ark. She and her husband taught in the public school system in Kennett, Mo., for eight years before moving to Cape Girardeau in 1972.

While teaching at Franklin Elementary School in Cape Girardeau, she earned a master's degree in education from Southeast Missouri State University and went on to obtain a specialist degree in education administration. She taught 23 years before retiring.

She was a member of First Christian Church in Cape Girardeau, the Missouri State Teachers Association and Phi Delta Kappa, an educational fraternity.

Jo Ruth energetically pursued multiple hobbies throughout her life. The five hundred dolls she accumulated were admired by many and brought nostalgic memories to girls of all ages. She donated her collection of numerous bird nests and bird figurines to Southeast Missouri State University where they are currently on display in the Biology Department.

Survivors include her husband of 53 years, Dr. William C. Hoover of Jackson; her mother, Rubye Evans Brewer of Benton, Ark.; a sister, Dorothy Ann Brashears and her husband, Don, of Benton, Ark.; two nieces, Julie Brashears Harkrider of Tulsa, Okla. and Amy Brashears Vrana of Benton, Ark.; a nephew, Dr. Clay Bruce Brashears of Benton, Ark.; and an aunt, Eileen (Blondie) Williamson of Mountain View, Ark., with whom she had a special relationship.

She was preceded in death by her father.

Friends may call at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Chapel from 6 to 8 p.m. today. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Vyron Yount officiating.

Honorary pallbearers will be Frank Linn, Dean Whiteside, George Counts, Mark Hill, Bill Gladden and Jay Church.

The family has requested that memorials be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 1301 N. Kingshighway, Cape Girardeau, Mo. 63701.