Mattie Ruth

Sulser

Mattie Ruth Sulser was born in Pine Valley, south of Ellington, Missouri on May 26, 1928, and departed this life in Springfield, Missouri, at the Cox Medical Center on Wednesday, September 18, 2019, having attained the age of 91 years.

Ruth was the youngest of nine children with four sisters and four brothers. She spent her early years on Pine Valley and graduated from Ellington High School in 1945. Ruth attended what is now Missouri State University. She taught at a one room schoolhouse in the late 1940's and later worked 12 years in the Ellington school district as a substitute teacher and kindergarten aide.

At the time of Ruth's passing she had the longest membership in the Ellington United Methodist Church, having been a member for over 50 years. She served in many capacities at the church including the youth group leader, Sunday school teacher, and member of the Wesleyan Service Guild. Ruth was an accomplished cook and never met a problem that a good meal wouldn't help solve.

Ruth's greatest joy in life was her family and especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, she was never happier than when she was spending time with them. Ruth will be sadly missed by those who loved her.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, (Calvin) Edward and Holly Taylor Smith and all eight siblings. She was also preceded in death by her husband of over 50 years Chester, who died in 2005, and her daughter and son-in-law, Ramona and Gary Vaughn.

Ruth is survived by three children, Krista (Dale) Hampton of Ellington, Missouri, Paula (Randy) Hulse of Hannibal, Missouri, and Paul and companion Neita of Shelbyville, Missouri, and seven grandchildren, Jason (Jenni) Vaughn, Eric (Tanya) Vaughn, Ben (Melissa) Hampton, Andrew (Rachel) Hampton, Rebekah (Wes) Embree, Kelley (Blake) Greeves, and Neil (Lauren) Hulse. She is also survived by ten great-grandchildren.

Visitation: Sunday, September 22 ^nd from 4–7 PM, McSpadden Funeral Home, Ellington, Missouri

Funeral: Monday, September 23 ^rd 10 AM

Minister: Pastor Sandy Estes and Pastor Stan Hargis

Pallbearers: Jason Vaughn, Eric Vaughn, Benjamin Hampton, Andrew Hampton, Neil Hulse and Nick Vaughn

Burial: Ellington Memorial Cemetery

In lieu of flowers: Pine Valley Cemetery or Ellington United Methodist Church

Arrangements by McSpadden Funeral Home, Ellington, Missouri