Ruthie Lacey

ESSEX - Ruthie Lacey, 57, died April 8, 2002, at Missouri Southern Healthcare in Dexter.

Born March 8, 1945, in Dardnelle, Ark., daughter of the late James Franklin and Margaret Howard Ross, she lived in Essex most of her life. She retired as a sewing machine operator for the Brown Shoe Company in Bernie and was a member of the Olive Branch General Baptist Church near Essex.

On Dec. 30, 1968, she married Jim Lacey who survives of the home.

Other survivors include: one son, Eddie Blackwell of Houston, Texas; two daughters, Susan Coleman of Greenville and Rebakah Williams of Essex; one stepson, Tim Lacey of Bloomfield; one stepdaughter, Karen Auner of Ironton; three brothers, Charlie Robert Ross of Malden, James Ross of Matthews and Ray Ross of Brandon, Miss.; six sisters, Ruby Taylor of Fulton, Carolyn Holyfield of Bell City, Jewell Tankersley of Campbell, Margaret Jenkins of Indianola, Miss., Linda McClain of Malden and Betty Kerley of Puxico; and 14 grandchildren.

Three brothers and one sister preceded her in death.

Visitation is from 5 to 8 p.m. today at Watkins and Sons Funeral Home in Dexter, where services are scheduled for 1 p.m. Wednesday. The Rev. Doyle Corlew and the Rev. Dennis Ward of Essex will officiate.

Burial will follow in the Essex Cemetery.