Beth Henry

NEW MADRID -- Ruth Elizabeth "Beth" Henry, 61, died suddenly June 3, 2003, at her home in New Madrid.

Born on Dec. 9, 1941, at St. Francis Hospital in Cape Girardeau to the late Furgison S. and Olive Howard Hunter, she was a graduate of Immaculate Conception Grade School in New Madrid and a 1959 graduate of Villa Duschene Academy in St. Louis. She received her bachelor of arts degree in journalism from the University of Missouri -Columbia and a master's of education degree from Southeast Missouri State University at Cape Girardeau. She was an active member and Eucharistic minister at Immaculate Conception Church in New Madrid and a supporter of the Immaculate Conception Grade School.

A local real estate agent and former teacher, she was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, a charter member of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority and a former member of the New Madrid Country Club Women's Golf Association. She was awarded the Community Improvement Award of 2002 by the New Madrid Chamber of Commerce.

On July 2, 1966, she was united in marriage to Whitson E. Henry Jr., who survives of the home.

She was devoted to her family and especially her children who survive, two sons and a daughter-in-law, Whitson E. and Shannon Henry III and Chad Hunter Henry of Kansas City, Mo.; one daughter, Leslie Ellen Henry of Kansas City; and one granddaughter, Madison, of Kansas City.

She is also survived by three brothers and sisters-in-law, Furgison S. and Sarah Riley Hunter Jr., Joseph D. and Linda Dees Hunter and David Luke and Glenda M. Hunter of New Madrid; four sisters and two brothers-in-law, Nancy Kay Hunter and Tommy Moore, Olivia Hunter, Mary Eva Hunter and Joella Hunter and Dewey Jones of New Madrid; and a sister-in-law, Pat H. Hunter of Dexter.

Also surviving is James Allison, a devoted friend and employee, as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one brother, Johnny Howard Hunter, and her devoted friends, Sheila Pikey and Dot Halstead.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the family home, 690 Main St., New Madrid where the rosary is scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Friday at Immaculate Conception Church.

Burial will follow in Evergreen Cemetery under the direction of Richards Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be: Larry Rost, Peter Rost, Sam Pikey, Riley Bock, Lynn Bock, Tommy Broughton and James Allison.

Honorary pallbearers will be: Joan Rost, Paula Rost, Pat Rost, Ginger DeLisle, Virginia Ann Carlson, Ann Evans Copeland and Kim Hunter.

Memorial contributions may be made to:

Immaculate Conception Endowment Fund 560 Main St. New Madrid, MO 63869

or

Higgerson School Historic Site 300 Main St. New Madrid, MO 63869

or

New Madrid Historical Museum, 1 Main St. New Madrid, MO 63869

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