Ruby Mae Stearns

Ruby Mae Stearns, 99, of Millersville died Friday, Sept. 28, 2012, at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau.

She was born Sept. 28, 1913, in Lixville, Mo., to William Henry and Myrtle Dell Blaylock Bangert.

She married Elmer Stearns on March 17, 1936. He died July 7, 1980. Ruby was co-owner and operator of Stearns Phillips 66 Gas Station and convenience store near Millersville.

Ruby graduated from Garner School and was one of the last, if not the last, person to survive the largest tornado in history, which destroyed the school and her home.

She was a member of the Millersville United Methodist Church, was a sponsor of the youth fellowship and taught Sunday school for 20 years.

She is survived by a daughter, Charlotte Ann Chaudoin of Fredericktown; a sister Dorothy (Calvin) Phillips of Jackson; three grandchildren, Patty Johnson, Danny and Eddie Chaudion, all of Millersville; three great-grandchildren, Daniel, Philip and Jacob Johnson. She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; four brothers, Dewey, Wilbur, Edgar, Pervis; and one sister, Sidonia Seabaugh.

Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. to service time Monday at Cracraft-Miller Funeral Home.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Monday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Donald Blaylock officiating. Burial will be in Snider Cemetery near Millersville.