Ruth Mayer

DEXTER, Mo. -- Ruth Esther Mayer, 76, of Dexter died Monday, Nov. 19, 2007.

She was born Dec. 10, 1930, in Frisco, Mo., daughter of Carter P. and Esther M. Smith Worley. She and Robert Jean Mayer were married Jan. 12, 1951, at Dexter.

Ruth was a 1947 graduate of Dexter High School, and received a bachelor of science in elementary education from Southeast Missouri State University in 1957. She began her career at Boyd School in Pyletown, Mo., and then taught home economics 25 years at Dexter Middle School.

She was a devoted member of First Christian Church and was the first female elder of the congregation. She actively participated in the Missouri Festival of Sharing more than 20 years.

Ruth was a member and past president of PEO Chapter CP and Missouri State Retired Teachers Association, member of Christian Women's Fellowship, Church Women United and Board for the Division of Aging.

Survivors include her husband; a daughter, Susan Ruth Bartlett and husband Randy of Cape Girardeau; two sisters-in-law, Mary Worley and Marjean Mayer of Dexter; a brother-in-law, Charles Pippins of Dexter; two grandchildren, Leigh Bartlett Havelick and husband David of Portland, Ore., Robert William Bartlett and wife Amanda of Cape Girardeau; and a great-grandson, Abram William Havelick of Portland.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Kenneth Dale and Carter Ronald Worley; and a sister, Marilyn Faye Pippins.

Visitation will be from 4:30 to 8 p.m. today at Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter.

The funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the chapel, with the Rev. Vaughn Wright officiating. Interment will be in Dexter Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to First Christian Church Building Fund, 224 East Stoddard Street, Dexter, Mo., 63841; or Missouri Festival of Sharing, 3009 David Drive, Columbia, Mo., 65202; or Stoddard County Children's Home Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 164, Dexter, Mo., 63841.