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Funeral: 1 p.m. Thursday, May 6, 2021, at Frank & Bright Funeral Home
Visitation: 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home
Interment: Orchard Hill Cemetery, Louisville
Ruth Elaine Wilson, 90, of Louisville, Illinois, departed her loving family on May 3, 2021.
She was born in Farina, Illinois, to Glenn and Esther (Soldner) Wells. She was raised on their farm with her three brothers and one sister. After high school she briefly worked as a telephone operator until she attended Southern Illinois University – Carbondale.
She married Robert Eugene Wilson on August 11, 1949, and together they raised 4 energetic girls. During this time, she completed her education at McKendree College. After 34 successful years of teaching at Oskaloosa Grade School and North Clay Elementary School in Louisville, she retired to enjoy time with her husband, family and friends. She enjoyed cooking, quilting, attending bluegrass music fests with her husband of 59 years and entertaining her grandchildren. Ruth (and Bob) loved to watch their grandchildren play sports. Ruth was also an avid cross-stitcher and cross stitched over 100 quilts.
Ruth is fondly remembered by many as Grandma Ruth and Grandma “Skittles”. She enjoyed making treats for her grandchildren to take to school. She was also an expert at making and baking noodles, sugar cookies, chocolates and pies. It was not unusual for her to make over 40 pies for family gatherings. She took great pride in planning and hosting the Wells Family Reunion for many years, where her pies and endless homemade treats were savored and enjoyed by all. Grandma Ruth also hosted many slumber parties for her grandkids and great-grandkids. The Grand Ole Opry was frequently enjoyed during these ever-popular sleepovers. Ruth loved to travel and visit her daughters and their families. In recent years, Ruth enjoyed spending Thanksgiving week in Pleasant Plains at Jane’s. She gave new meaning to the term, “shop till you drop” on Black Friday.
She is survived by daughters, Joan Long (Phillip) of North Port, FL, Jean Porter (Rick) of Flora, IL, Jill Holman (Jon) of Mt. Vernon, IL, Jane Mills (Norm Ross) of Pleasant Plains, IL; grandchildren, Bradley Long of Carmel, IN, Staci Countryman (Todd) of Flora, IL, Mindy McDermott (Tim) of Waterloo, IL, Emily Porter (Nate Davis) of Aurora, CO, Eric Porter (Rachel) of Johnsonville, IL, Christi Card (Milo) of Kell, IL, Lindsey Holman (Luke Adams) of Aurora, CO, Cory Small of Champaign IL, Blake Mills of Springfield, IL, Reid Mills (Katie) of Palmyra IL; great grandchildren, Shay, Luca, Braxton, Jaryn, Porter, Riley, Chelsey, Nekai, Kaleya, Kylar, Alexia, Eric, Ryver, Dustin, Karissa, McKenzie, Corbin, Hudson; great-great-grandchildren, Isabella and Xander; brother, Leland (Bernadine) Wells and sister, Donna Mae (Robert) Rickey. Ruth was preceded in death by her parents; husband; grandson, Jeffrey Long; and brothers, Charles Wells and George Cline Wells.
A funeral ceremony for Ruth Wilson will begin at 1 p.m. Thursday, May 6, 2021, at Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora. Interment will follow in Orchard Hill Cemetery, Louisville. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Thursday at the funeral home. Memorial donations are suggested to either the Burge House, Louisville Baptist Church, or Clay County Hospice, and these will be accepted through the funeral home. To share a memory or condolence, visit: www.frankandbright.com
The family would like to extend special thanks to the following community partnerships for their contributions toward the comfort and excellent care of Ruth: Burge House, Clay County Hospital, Clay Medical Center staff, Clay County Hospice and First Baptist Church Minister Kelly Carruthers and congregation.
Jul 21, 1931 - Nov 18, 2024
Nov 15, 1940 - Nov 9, 2024
Sep 5, 1961 - Oct 31, 2024
Nov 14, 1941 - Oct 30, 2024
Nov 28, 1936 - Oct 29, 2024
Jean and Family: We didn’t have the privilege of knowing your mother but after reading her obituary, it is certainly our loss. She sounds like she was a delightful, fun, talented and loving person. We know y’all will miss her dearly. You are in our prayers. God bless.
My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Ruth was a special lady with a heart of gold.
Rick and Jean and family ....so sorry for your loss. We will be thinking of you all in the days weeks ahead.
Ruth was such a special Lady. My deepest sympathy goes out to the family for your loss.
Ruth was one of a kind! I so enjoyed teaching with her. We shared many laughs and fun times! She touched so many! Hugs and prayers to all of the family!
Thank you for trusting The Burge House and sharing Ruth with us. She has touched our hearts and our lives forever. Ruth was a substitute teacher for our children as they grew up and more than a resident in our home. Our deepest gratitude for sharing her life with our family.
Sorry for your loss. Mrs. Wilson was was a great lady, she was my 5th grade teacher and was also my Favorite teacher.
Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to Ruth's whole family. She was a wonderful and loving person. She will be sorely miss by all.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family. May God bless and comfort you.
Saddened to learn of Mrs. Wilson's passing. I often thought of her and wondered how she was. Not only was she my first thru fifth grade teacher at Oskaloosa, but was my Grandma Cleone's neighbor in Louisville where the twins and I spent hours playing in front yard on hot summer days. She was short in stature but mighty and compassionate in other ways. Not many teachers would push the old piano away from the classroom wall so we could retrieve the class turtle nor safety pin a pleated skirt back onto the waistband because someone jumped out of the swing and nearly disrobed in front of all😬 She had a way about her where you knew everything was possible and all would be alright. You girls have been so blessed. Thank you for sharing her with us.
My thoughts and prayers are with the family. Thinking about Mrs. Wilson brings back memories of "the good ole days" at Oskaloosa School.
So sorry for your loss. My Mom was her neighbor for awhile. I only met Miss Ruth once but what a sweet lady.
We are so very sorry for your loss. Ruth was such a sweet person. Everyone who knew her loved her. You're all in our thoughts and prayers.
Sorry for your loss. She was one of a kind. I enjoy visiting with her and getting to know her at games.
I had the joy of taking care of Ruth while she lived at the burge house amd it was alot of laughs and joy love you ruth gonna miss you
Lots of memories of being at your house with your mom having treats for us. She was such a sweet lady. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Ruth was a special lady. We would visit at the bluegrass jam. Her brother Charlie taught me how to fly. I would jam with her husband Bob. She will be missed.
Very sorry for your loss!!! We eell be praying for your family!!!
To Jean and Rick. I was blessed to be able to care for your mother. She was always so sweet. Even at hard times. She was still sweet. Loved being a teacher. She loved talking about children she taught. She was always so proud of her teaching years. Kids was always on her mind. She sure enjoyed what she done. Bless her heart. And all of your family. Praying for you all. She sure was loved
May God send comfort and peace to all of the family. What wonderful memories we have of Ruth. She was such a special person and an outstanding teacher. Many children excelled due to her high academic standards and because she presented the lessons with love. It was always such a joy to meet her and she never failed to ask about the family, even years after she retired.
Bob and Ruth were two of our most wonderful customers with their vehicles thru the years. Ruth has amazed us over and over how she always had a smile, could take care of everyone, teach a lesson, mend a child’s tears and share so much love all at the same time. We have been so very Blessed to have her in our lives. And we know she lives on in the arms of Jesus. God Bless and comfort the family.
Such a sweet lady , she was a great cook and a wonderful mother and grandmother!!!
Condolences to the family. Ruth was a wonderful person and teacher as well as a good neighbor. I lived close to them for many years in Louisville.
Mrs. Wilson was my favorite teacher of all time. She had a knack for making us feel like the most special, talented, and capable kids. She was an absolute gem and I am better for having known her.
Frank & Bright Funeral Home
and Cremation Services
500 North Main Street
Flora, Illinois 62839
Phone : (618) 662-2141
Fax: (618) 662-4600
Email: [email protected]
