Ruth Hedden

Ruth Cox Hedden, long-time Cape Girardeau educator, died at the age of 88 on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2020, at Ratliff Care Center.

Ruth began her career as a teacher in Georgia and finished it as a sixth-grade teacher at Hawthorn School, now Clippard School, where she worked beginning in 1971 until her retirement in 1998. She was a member of the Missouri Teachers Association and participated in the Cape Retired Teachers Association for many years. She loved teaching, helping children learn, and served on the Cape Girardeau school system's math curriculum selection team.

After retirement, Mrs. Hedden served as a volunteer with the Centenary United Methodist Church kitchen and traveled throughout the United States with her husband, visiting children and joining her husband on golf courses far and wide. She was known among family and friends for her Southern cooking, baking and ability to welcome all to her table. The Heddens were season ticket holders to Southeast Missouri State University basketball for more than 50 years.

Born on May 7, 1931, in Macon, Georgia, to the late J.T. and Mary Cox, she was the fourth of six children. She graduated from Chipley High School, attended Georgia Women's College and graduated with her bachelor's degree from the University of Georgia in 1952. She completed her master's degree in education at Southeast Missouri State University and remained, along with her husband, an avid fan of Southeast women's and men's basketball.

Ruth married Robert E. Hedden, a fellow University of Georgia Dawg, in 1953. They lived in DeFuniak Springs, Florida, and Macon before relocating to Cape Girardeau in 1962.

Ruth Hedden

In addition to her husband of 66 years, Ruth is survived by her children, Ralph Coleman (Carole) Hedden of Asheville, North Carolina, Linda Ruth (Bruce) Enright of Kansas City, Missouri, and John Thomas (Cheryl) Hedden of Taos, New Mexico; grandchildren, Linda Katelyn (Ron) Henry of Chamblee, Georgia, Whitney Coleman Enright of New York City, Rachel Taylor Enright of Denver, Chloe Ann Hedden of West Chester, Pennsylvania, Shelby Ashton Enright of Kansas City, Olivia Marie Enright of Washington and Robert Dylan Enright of Kansas City; and great-grandsons, Oliver Coleman Henry and Walter Mason Henry, both of Chamblee, Georgia. Also surviving are her sister and brothers, Betty Beegle of Whitesville, Georgia, William (Jane) Cox of Atlanta, J.T. Cox of Fayetteville, Georgia, and Franklin (Mary Jo) Cox of Pine Mountain, Georgia; and nieces, nephews and great-nieces and -nephews, as well as her dear cousin, Susan (Jim) Cagle of Lilburn, Georgia.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her younger brother, Jimmy Cox, and her oldest son, Robert E. "Gene" Hedden in 2013.

The kind thoughts and prayers from Ruth's many friends and family have been greatly appreciated during this time. The family is also grateful for the care Ruth received at the Arbors Memory Care unit and most especially for the loving care and compassion shown for Ruth and the entire family by all the staff at Ratliff Care Center. The loving attention shown by these individuals was truly heartfelt and made Ruth's passing a much easier journey.

Visitors may call on the family from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday at Ford and Sons Funeral Home, 1001 N. Mount Auburn Road in Cape Girardeau.

Funeral will immediately follow, with the Rev. Dr. Barry Winders officiating. Private interment for the family will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Alzheimer's Association, www.alz.org.

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