Ruth Shell

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- Ruth Marie Shell, 82, of Austin, Texas, died Friday, Oct. 9, 2009, at Heartland Health Care Center in Austin.

She was born March 3, 1927, in Commerce Mich., daughter of Hervey George and Doris Carrie Duncan Spencer. She married Willard Frank Shell, who preceded her in death.

Ruth worked in the food service industries at Woolworth in Sikeston, Mo., and later transferred to St. Louis where she retired after 27 years.

After retirement Ruth moved to the Marble Hill area for nine years and attended Point Pleasant General Baptist Church. She later moved to Texas to be near her daughter and family.

She was a very loving and giving person. She loved music. She played and sang in church and traveled with the McFarland Family Singers many years. She will be missed by family and friends.

Survivors include a daughter, Sandra (Byron) Wilson of Austin; two brothers, Jim Spencer and family of Flint, Mich.; Herb Spencer of Greenville, Ariz.; two sisters, Dorothy McQuillin and family, Margaret (Chuck) Blain and family, all of the state of Michigan; three grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, Aaron (Melba) Wilson and daughters Alysha, Rabecca and Caitlin, Eric (Tamra) Wilson and sons, Blake and Colby, Jason (Summer) Wilson; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to service time Friday at Liley Funeral Home in Marble Hill.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Friday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Matthews Cemetery in Matthews, Mo.