Ruth Evelyn Welker, 82, of Cape Girardeau, formerly of Marble Hill, died Feb. 16, 2010, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. She was born March 2, 1927, at Morley, Mo., the daughter of Jesse and Ola Edna Wagoner Walton. She graduated from Blodgett High School and continued her education with a BS in Education and a Masters of Education from Southeast Missouri State University. She taught elementary education in schools at Blodgett, Mo., Sikeston and retired from Woodland R4 School in Marble Hill following a 44 year teaching career.

On June 24, 1955 she married Charles Lenford (Nute) Welker at Grassy. He preceded her in death on May 5, 1985. She was a member of Marble Hill First Baptist Church and ADK Beta Gamma Chapter, International Honorary Sorority for Women Educators.

Survivors include a daughter, Patricia Lynne Belden of Perryville, Mo.; a sister, Nancy Jo Branson of Oran, Mo.; grandchildren, Kyle and Kristy Angel, both of Marble Hill; nieces: Niala Branson of Oran, Susan (Stan) Farrow of Jackson, Evelyn (Butch) Milam of St. Petersburg, Fla., and Margie (Wayne) McFarland of Louisville, Neb.; nephews: Rick (Kristin) Branson of Troy, Ill., and Jesse (Joanna) Branson of Oran; great-nieces: Jessica Farrow, Maddy McFarland, Zoie McFarland, Amelia Branson, Mary Hagen and Kathy Hobbs; great-nephews: Zac and Jed McFarland, Jake Milam and Reed Branson; a special friend, Shirley Barks of Marble Hill and all her sorority sisters.

Visitation will be Wed., Feb. 17, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Hutchings Funeral Chapel in Marble Hill. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Thurs., Feb. 18, at the funeral home with Rev. Fred Ritter officiating. Burial will follow at Baker Cemetery near Marble Hill.

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