Ruth Irwin

Ruth Anita Irwin, age 78, of Cape Girardeau died Friday, March 4, 2005, at her home.

Ruth was born Feb. 22, 1927, in Wolf Lake, Ill., daughter of Harry and Mattie Verble. She was a member of Lynwood Baptist Church, the Illinois Vocational Home Economics Teachers Association, the Rose Hill Garden Club and was an officer in the Professional Home Economist Organization.

She was baptized at First Baptist Church and was a member of that church for many years. Ruth graduated from Wolf Lake High School. She earned a bachelor's degree in education at Southern Illinois University with a major in home economics, a master's of science degree in education at University of Illinois.

She also attended the Patricia Stevens Modeling and Finishing School in St. Louis. Ruth taught vocational home economics at Shawnee High School at Wolf Lake for 38 years, retiring in 1988.

Her hobbies include traveling, shopping, cooking, flower arranging, home decorating and crafts.

She married Clifford Irwin June 9, 1951, at the Old General Baptist Church on Broadway in Cape Girardeau.

She is survived by her husband, Clifford Irwin; and one son and daughter-in-law, Stan and Glenda Irwin of Cape Girardeau. She was preceded in death by her parents and three brothers.

Visitation will be at the Ford and Sons Funeral Home, Mount Auburn Chapel. Friends may call there from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday. Funeral service will be at Lynwood Baptist Church at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday. Interment will be at Memorial Park Mausoleum in Cape Girardeau.