Ruth Steward

SIKESTON - Ruth C. Steward, 92, died at 11:10 p.m. Dec. 7, 2004, at the Sikeston Convalescent Center.

Born Dec. 22, 1911, in Maury City, Tenn., daughter of the late Ed and Mae Agee Byassee, she was a member of the First Baptist Church of Sikeston since Sept. 13, 1950, where she was a member of the Women's Missionary Union and T.E.L. Sunday school class. She was a secretary/treasurer for Steward Steel Co. Inc. in Sikeston, served as the first Sikeston Welcome Wagon representative from 1951-58 and was a member and past president of the Garden Club of Sikeston and Sikeston Women's Club.

On Aug. 18, 1935, she married Fred H. Steward Sr. who preceded her in death on March 31, 1978.

Eight brothers and three sisters also preceded her in death.

Survivors include: two sons, Fred H. Steward Jr. and Larry F. Steward of Sikeston; one daughter, Dorothy Anne Richardson of Colorado Springs, Colo.; four sisters, Neva Swaim of Sacramento, Calif., Dell Brown of Oakland, Calif., Billie Jean Sawyer of Dallas, Texas, and Myra DeGinter of Little Rock, Ark.; and seven grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Visitation is from 9:30 a.m. Friday until service time at 10:30 a.m. at Nunnelee Funeral Chapel. The Rev. Rick Ramsey, pastor of the First Baptist Church, will officiate.

Burial will follow in Garden of Memories Cemetery in Sikeston.

Pallbearers will be Chris Steward, J.J. Steward, Stephan Steward, Rob Purves, Matt Richardson, and Jeff Richardson.