Ruth Welker

Ruth Evelyn Welker, 82, of Cape Girardeau, formerly of Marble Hill, Mo., died Feb. 16, 2010, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.

She was born March 2, 1927, at Morley, Mo., daughter of Jesse and Ola Edna Wagoner Walton.

She graduated from Blodgett High School and continued her education with a bachelor of science in education and a master's in education from Southeast Missouri State University. She taught elementary education in schools at Blodgett, Mo., Sikeston, Mo., and retired from Woodland School in Marble Hill following a 44-year teaching career.

On June 24, 1955, she married Charles Lenford (Nute) Welker at Grassy, Mo. He preceded her in death May 5, 1985.

She was a member of Marble Hill First Baptist Church and ADK Beta Gamma Chapter, International Honorary Sorority for Women Educators.

Survivors include a daughter, Patricia Lynne Belden of Perryville, Mo.; a sister, Nancy Jo Branson of Oran, Mo.; grandchildren, Kyle and Kristy Angel, both of Marble Hill; nieces, Niala Branson of Oran, Susan (Stan) Farrow of Jackson, Evelyn (Butch) Milam of St. Petersburg, Fla., and Margie (Wayne) McFarland of Louisville, Neb.; nephews, Rick (Kristin) Branson of Troy, Ill., and Jesse (Joanna) Branson of Oran; great-nieces, Jessica Farrow, Maddy and Zoie McFarland, Amelia Branson, Mary Hagen, Kathy Hobbs; great-nephews, Zac and Jed McFarland, Jake Milam, Reed Branson; a special friend, Shirley Barks of Marble Hill; and all her sorority sisters.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today at Hutchings Funeral Chapel in Marble Hill.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Fred Ritter officiating.

Burial will be in Baker Cemetery near Marble Hill.