Alma Ruth Campbell

Alma Ruth “May” Campbell, 89, of Carthage passed away on May 3, 2010 at St. Luke’s Nursing Center. Alma was born on March 6, 1921, near Josephine, TX. Alma was the daughter of Jesse Robert May and Hattie Lee “Hise” May. She was married to Charles Blackstone Merchant on November 25, 1942, and their marriage produced two sons, Billy Charles Merchant and Joe Harlow Merchant. After Charles’ death Ruth married Ray John Campbell on March 21, 1948, and the couple had two more sons, Donald Ray Campbell and Robert Ira Campbell. The family moved to Carthage, MO, and engaged in farming. Ruth was a member of the Mt. Moriah Methodist Church and led and attended many Bible studies and Sunday school classes. She also attended Full Faith Church of Carthage. She was a homemaker and an avid gardener. Alma was preceded in death by her parents and husbands, ten brothers Alton, Robert, Weldon, Clyde, Argie, Leonodis, Chester, Hubert, Arvie, and Gerald and two sisters Irene Conine and Evelyn Martin. Alma is survived by three sisters, Lena Cooper, Athens, TX, Fay Montgomery, Mesquite, TX and Betty Connatser, Allen, TX. Additional survivors include her sons and their wives, Bill and Della Merchant of Carthage, Joe and Ruth Anne Merchant of Miami, OK, Don and Lynn Campbell of Carthage and Robert and Gwen Campbell of Cleveland, TN. Grandchildren include Rhonda and Scott Henderson of Claremore, OK., Steve and Becca Merchant of LaGrange, IL., Chad and Amy Campbell of Carthage, Annie and Chris Barr of Overland Park, KS., Scott and Susan Campbell of Elgin, IL., Jason Campbell of Knoxville, TN., Mike and Amy Campbell of Cleveland, OH., Erin and Chris Lowe of Winston Salem, NC and Jeff Campbell of St. Louis, MO. Alma is also survived by great-granddaughters, Sheila Wilson of Kansas City, MO., Megan Merchant and Ellie Merchant of LaGrange, IL., Sydney Campbell of Carthage, Scottie Campbell of Elgin, IL and great-grandsons Daniel Wilson and wife Erica of Kansas City, MO., Cecil Henderson and Cedric Henderson of Claremore, OK., Max Merchant of LaGrange, IL., Drew Campbell of Carthage and a great-great granddaughter, Cambria Wilson of Kansas City, MO. Services will be at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, May 6, 2010 at the Mt. Moriah Methodist Church with Visitation also at the church from 6:00-8:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 5, 2010. Interment will be in Hackney Cemetery, Carthage. Contributions may be made to the Mt. Moriah Church in care of Ulmer Funeral Home. Arrangements are under the direction of Ulmer Funeral Home.

Alma Ruth Campbell

March 6, 1921 - May 3, 2010