Ruth Anne (nee Cooksey) Bell of St. Louis died on Monday, October 11, 2021 at the age of 87. She was born on Friday, September 14, 1934 in Sligo, Missouri to William McKinley Cooksey and Carrie Cooksey (nee Carr).
She married Joe Lee Bell in Pocahontas, Arkansas on July 31, 1952 and their union lasted until Joe’s death in 1989. They spent thirty-seven years together. To this union two daughters were born: Judith (nee Bell) Moore and James of Sligo, Missouri and Brenda (nee Bell) Franke and Gary of St. Louis, Missouri.
Ruth was a homemaker who enjoyed caring for all of her family members. She invited and cared for extended family members in her home as well. She worked at Hancock Fabrics for several years after the death of her husband. She spent much of her paycheck on fabric to sew clothing and baby blankets. She enjoyed sewing, reading, and working crossword puzzles.
Ruth accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior in 1963 and was baptized at Bayless Baptist Church in St. Louis, Missouri. She enjoyed working with three year olds in Sunday School, Vacation Bible School and the church nursery. She was involved in WMU (Woman’s Missionary Union), Young at Heart and quilting for the Children’s Home.
She enjoyed all of her grandkids and great-grandkids.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Joe Bell; parents William and Carrie Cooksey; parents-in-law Floyd and Lula Bell; siblings Helen Cooksey, Kenneth Cooksey, and Hester (nee Cooksey) Chrapek, and infant sister.
She is survived by her daughters Judith (James) Moore of Sligo, Missouri and Brenda (Gary) Franke of St. Louis; Grandchildren Joshua (Heather) Moore of Belleview, Missouri, Sarah (Chris) Donnelly of St. Louis, Missouri, Adam (Lauren) Franke of St. Louis, Missouri, Janelle (James) Wesson of Salem, Missouri; sisters-in-law Jane Sams, Fern Grant, Ruth Stroburg: nieces and nephews; nine great-grandchildren: Gavin, Mason, Liam, Cody, Bennett, Caleb, Grant, Teagan, Gwendolyn; other relatives and friends.
SERVICES: Visitation at KUTIS SOUTH COUNTY Chapel 5255 Lemay Ferry Road Friday, October 15 from 9:30 a.m. until 11 a.m. funeral ceremony. Jim Moore and Gary Franke officiating. Burial at Carr Cemetery in Cook Station, Missouri at 2:45 p.m. Flowers or donations to Carr Cemetery or Billy Graham Evangelistic Association appreciated.
We met Ruth when we joined Bayless Baptist Church in 2004. She was a kind, loving, Christian lady. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family.
We met Ruth when we joined Bayless Baptist Church in 2004. She was a kind, loving, Christian lady. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family.
Ruth was a blessing to every life she touched. She and a Hester taught me the love of sewing and blessed my children with many visits to Bayless Baptist church.
Ruth, you will always hold a special place in my heart.
Ruth was a blessing to every life she touched. She and a Hester taught me the love of sewing and blessed my children with many visits to Bayless Baptist church.
Ruth, you will always hold a special place in my heart.
Sorry I missed her funeral. Ruth was a great help to me when I was Secretary at Bayless Baptist Church. She was a good person and will be missed.
Sorry I missed her funeral. Ruth was a great help to me when I was Secretary at Bayless Baptist Church. She was a good person and will be missed.