1
tree
planted in memory of Ruth Phyllis Ferrell
Obituary for Ruth Phyllis Ferrell
Ruth (Keith) Ferrell, age 86, of Harrisburg, Illinois, passed away at her residence Saturday, August 1, 2020.
Ruth was born on December 6, 1933 to the late Hosia and Lillie Mae (Headrick) Keith in Carrier Mills. On March 10, 1950, Ruth married Eugene (Gene) Ferrell, who preceded her in death on October 4, 2013. She is survived by her children, Bill (Faye) Ferrell, Benny (Deanna) Ferrell, Jack (Kathy) Ferrell, Terry (Cathy) Ferrell, Dinah (Gary) May, Rick Ferrell, Michael Ray Ferrell, Michael Lee (Stephanie) Ferrell, all of Harrisburg. She was blessed to have twenty-two grandchildren, twenty-five great grandchildren and three great great grandchildren. Surviving also are her sisters, Norma Lee (Carl) Watson, Nadine Allen, both from TN., Lucille Jones from Harrisburg and a brother Johnny Wayne Keith from Metropolis along with a host of nephews, nieces and cousins.
Her son, Gary, grandson, Christopher, great grandson, baby Aaron, brothers, Dale, William (Bud) Keith, sister in law, Sharon Keith, brother in law, Lloyd Jones also preceded her in death.
Being the oldest of seven children, Ruth took over the role of a mother to her siblings when her mother passed at an early age. Her greatest passion in life were taking care of children, which in her mind she did until the end. Ruth held many jobs, but those most important to her were working at Wadi Headstart and working at Harrisburg High School taking care of children and making sure they were fed. Anytime you visited Ruth, she was always offering you food. She did not want to see anyone go hungry. She had a passion for children of all ages and this carried through to the end. Her thoughts were on children. Over the years, besides raising her own children, Ruth was a second mom to so many of her childrens' friends, often giving them somewhere to sleep and feeding them. A special one of her "kids" dear to her heart was Chuck Sullivan who would always shower her with gifts for no special reason. Ruth never knew a stranger, always giving to whomever was in need.
Due to health, medical and safety issues, the family request a private gathering to be held. We ask that at this time all persons in attendance please wear a mask and practice social distancing. Arrangements in care of the J. M. Weirauch Funeral Home in Harrisburg, Illinois.
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Ruth was born on December 6, 1933 to the late Hosia and Lillie Mae (Headrick) Keith in Carrier Mills. On March 10, 1950, Ruth married Eugene (Gene) Ferrell, who preceded her in death on October 4, 2013. She is survived by her children, Bill (Faye) Ferrell, Benny (Deanna) Ferrell, Jack (Kathy) Ferrell, Terry (Cathy) Ferrell, Dinah (Gary) May, Rick Ferrell, Michael Ray Ferrell, Michael Lee (Stephanie) Ferrell, all of Harrisburg. She was blessed to have twenty-two grandchildren, twenty-five great grandchildren and three great great grandchildren. Surviving also are her sisters, Norma Lee (Carl) Watson, Nadine Allen, both from TN., Lucille Jones from Harrisburg and a brother Johnny Wayne Keith from Metropolis along with a host of nephews, nieces and cousins.
Her son, Gary, grandson, Christopher, great grandson, baby Aaron, brothers, Dale, William (Bud) Keith, sister in law, Sharon Keith, brother in law, Lloyd Jones also preceded her in death.
Being the oldest of seven children, Ruth took over the role of a mother to her siblings when her mother passed at an early age. Her greatest passion in life were taking care of children, which in her mind she did until the end. Ruth held many jobs, but those most important to her were working at Wadi Headstart and working at Harrisburg High School taking care of children and making sure they were fed. Anytime you visited Ruth, she was always offering you food. She did not want to see anyone go hungry. She had a passion for children of all ages and this carried through to the end. Her thoughts were on children. Over the years, besides raising her own children, Ruth was a second mom to so many of her childrens' friends, often giving them somewhere to sleep and feeding them. A special one of her "kids" dear to her heart was Chuck Sullivan who would always shower her with gifts for no special reason. Ruth never knew a stranger, always giving to whomever was in need.
Due to health, medical and safety issues, the family request a private gathering to be held. We ask that at this time all persons in attendance please wear a mask and practice social distancing. Arrangements in care of the J. M. Weirauch Funeral Home in Harrisburg, Illinois.
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