This is the story of Ruth Ann (Mathis) Parker. She was a wonderful woman who was dearly loved by her family and friends. She will always be cherished. Our mom and Mimi, (as she liked to be called by her grandchildren), was an amazing wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt. She loved to cook and was known for her donuts, cinnamon rolls, and the best fried chicken in the Ozarks. She also loved working in her vegetable garden and growing flowers of all kinds.

Ruth's story began January 17, 1940. She was the 3rd child born to Wyatt and Molly Mathis in Plainview, Arkansas. When Ruth was 18 years old, she lost her mother, Elizabeth 'Molly' Louise Duggar in a car accident. At this time, Ruth moved to Memphis, TN with her older brother Oscar Louis Mathis and younger brother, Eugene Mathis. While residing in Memphis, she met the love of her life, Leo 'Johnny' Clifford Parker. July 8, 1940, Ruth and Johnny said "I do" in Corpus Christi, TX. Unto this union, three children were born - Jeffrey Alan Parker, Elizabeth Ann Parker Humphrey, and James Lloyd Parker (Becky). In 1962, Ruth and Johnny moved back to the family farm in Dixon, MO.

Ruth helped on the farm, was employed as a floor lady at Brown Shoe Company for 28 years, and as the Housekeeping Supervisor at Dixon Nursing and Rehab for 24 years.

Ruth was baptized in 1975 and was a member of Gasconade Baptist Church, Dixon, MO. She enjoyed life to its fullest, was thankful for each new day, and walked with her Lord and Saviour daily.

Ruth was blessed with 10 grandchildren - Jody St. Pierre (Adam), Kyle Parker, Laura Delmastro, Kayla Dolson (John), Katie Humphrey, Jessica Parker, Sabrina Miller, Lane Morrison (Savannah), Chase Parker, and Mycha Humphrey, as well as 8 great grandchildren - Lane, Brenna, Ford, Jaxn, Addison, Audrey, Brayden, and Hunter.

Ruth is survived by her daughter Elizabeth, her son James (Becky), her grandchildren, two sisters, Louise Rogers and Millie Patterson, both of Arkadelphia, AR and 1 brother, Eugene Mathis of West Memphis, AR.

In addition to her mother, Ruth was preceded in death by her husband, Leo 'Johnny' Parker in 2008, her son, Jeffrey Parker in 2012, her father, Wyatt Mathis in 1967, her mother-in-law, Laura Ramsey in 1992, her brother, Oscar Louis Mathis in 2010, her brother, Albert Wallace in 2013, and her brother, Bobby Wallace in 2014.

Ruth was devoted to and dearly loved her family. Additionally, she was dedicated to the many she served at the nursing home where she worked. She will be loved and missed.

In so many ways, she embodied the words found in I Corinthians, chapter 13: Ruth was patient and kind. She suffered not jealousy nor acted unbecomingly. She rejoiced in the truth and bore all things. Truly, she was the embodiment that love never fails.

Ruth's story did not end June 15, 2017. Her legacy lives on through the lives of her children and grandchildren. And her good deeds will echo through time.