Ruth Ansberry

Ruth E. Ansberry, 94, of Cape Girardeau died Sunday, June 25, 2017, at Southeast Hospital.

She was born March 21, 1923, in Salem, Indiana, to Raymond and Elizabeth Brooks Baynes. She and William F. Ansberry were married April 17, 1954, at North Vernon, Indiana. He preceded her in death Sept. 30, 2004.

Ruth received a Bachelor of Science in education, with a major in English from Hanover College in Hanover, Indiana, and later obtained a library-science degree from Peabody College in Nashville, Tennessee.

She was a librarian at various libraries in New York City, taught at Lawrenceville High School in Illinois and North Vernon High School in Indiana, and later worked as a librarian at Ross High School in Cincinnati.

While living in Cape Girardeau, she was a teacher of Adult Basic Education at VIP Industries and served on the Senate Bill 40 Board.

She was a member of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus Council 1111 Ladies Auxiliary.

Survivors include two sons, Mike (Therese) Ansberry of Cedar Hill, Tennessee, and Bill (Stephanie) Ansberry of Cape Girardeau; two daughters, Ann (Wib) Welker and Patti Ansberry of Cape Girardeau; one sister, Clara Shelby of Hernando Beach, Florida; 13 grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; brother, Brooks Baynes; and grandson, Joey Ansberry.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau. Parish prayers will be at 7:30 p.m., followed by a rosary.

Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Cape Girardeau, with the Rev. David Hulshof officiating. Burial will be at St. Lawrence Catholic Cemetery in New Hamburg, Missouri.

Memorial contributions may be given to VIP Industries, Association for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities or the Joey Ansberry Scholarship Fund.

Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.