GREENVILLE, Mo. -- Mary Ruth Twidwell-Payton, of Lodi, Mo., was born in Lodi on May 27, 1929 to the late James Raymond and Verna Lucille (Lewis) Roach. She departed this life at Oakdale Care Center in Poplar Bluff on July 16, 2018 at the age of 89 years, one month and 20 days.
A long time resident of Lodi, Mary Ruth took pride in being a wife, mother and homemaker. She was a member of Lodi Community Church since childhood. Mary Ruth married Forrest M. Twidwell May 13, 1949. Mr. Twidwell preceded her in death April 26, 1969. Mary Ruth married James Vernon Payton on Aug. 6, 1976. Mr. Payton preceded her in death June 18, 1995. Mary Ruth gained a very kind and loving husband and grandfather and his daughter, Vicki (Payton) Johnson and her husband David of Blackwell, Mo. They survive her.
Mary Ruth was one of ten children raised in Raymond and Verna's home. Three sisters and a niece, who is one of the ten children, survive her: Faye Sutton and her husband Jim, of Piedmont, Mo.; Carol Shaffer and her husband Norman, of Edgewood, Tex.; Jackie Hart, of Poplar Bluff; and Denise Shoemaker and her husband, Dennis, of Piedmont. Preceding her in death were two brothers: Jim Roach and Lee Roach; three sisters: Perma Lee Bridges, Phyllis VanNoy and Rosalee Sullivan. Three sisters-in-law also survive: Sue (Barker) Roach (Lee's wife) of Piedmont; Daphne (Twidwell) Hershey, (Forrest's sister); and Pat (Sullivan) Twidwell (Forrest's brother, Glendell Twidwell's, wife) of Piedmont. Also surviving are seven grandchildren: Angela Jackson and her husband Doug; Becky Dennis and her husband Delbert; Charlie Jones; Kelly Spradling and her husband Bert; Lance Shearrer; Tara Looney and her husband Matt; Forrest Twidwell and his wife Kathy; three bonus grandchildren: Kara Buckeridge and her husband Jim; Laura Johnson; and Missi Strohmayer and her husband, Patrick; along with 21 great grandchildren, 6 great-great grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends, all of whom she loved dearly.
Mary Ruth was the same type of mother as was her mother. She taught her children to love God and each other, support the church, love our country, work for what we want, love and help our family, friends, neighbors and even strangers. She taught her children to also have respect for others, good manners, good morals and a sense of responsibility. She spent her life caring for others. Her family and friends were what made her happiest and she had a huge heart full of love for every one. Mary Ruth was a loving and loyal wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. She will be missed by many, but her memory will live on in our hearts.
Visitation will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Morrison-Worley Funeral Chapel in Greenville. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Lodi Community Church. Interment will be in the Lewis Cemetery at Lodi.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Lewis Cemetery C/O Mary Hampton, 226 Comanche Dr. Piedmont, Mo. 63957.
Paid