Ruthie Carter

BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- Ruthie Joyce Carter, 85, died Saturday, May 13, 2006, at St. Anthony's Medical Center in St. Louis, after an extended illness.

She was born Nov. 1, 1920, in the Avert community, daughter of Walter and Viola Pruitt Perry. She and Dan W. Carter were married Feb. 22, 1941. He preceded her in death Dec. 13, 1968.

Survivors include three sons, Danny (Eva) Carter of Cape Girardeau, Terry Carter and special friend Shelia Bequette of Collinsville, Ill., Dennis Carter and special friend Dolores Gladwell of Fenton, Mo.; two daughters, Marilyn (Kenneth) Ritch and Carolyn Carter of Fenton; a brother, Gene (Mamie) Perry of Bloomfield; two sisters, Imogene (Jim) Laughlin of St. Louis, Judy (Sam) Giambelluca of Poplar Bluff, Mo.; 10 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; a great-great-grandchild; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives; and many friends.

She was preceded in death by a son, Richard; three grandsons, Terry Jr., Ricky and Christopher Carter; two brothers, Dallas and Delbert Perry; and a sister, Beatrice Carter.

The funeral will be held at 1 p.m. today at Chiles-Cooper Funeral Home, with the Rev. Harold Christian officiating. Burial will be in Walker Cemetery near Bloomfield.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to St. Anthony Hospice Development, DeGreeff House, 10010 Kennerly Road, St. Louis, Mo., 63128.