Ruth Elizabeth Davidson's Obituary
Ruth Elizabeth (Martin Vestal Zollars) Davidson a longtime resident of Longton, Kansas, age 92, died Friday, January 14, 2011 at the Maria Care Center in Mulvane, Kansas. Ruth was born March 11, 1918 in Glen Elder, Kansas, the daughter of Robert M. and Martha Ethel (Jones) Martin.
When Ruth was one year old her family moved to Hiawassee, Arkansas. In 1923, the family moved to Longton, Kansas. In January 1935 Ruth married Cleo Vestal, they were married for 40 years until his death in 1975. In June 1976 Ruth married Offie Zollars, they were married for four years until his death in 1980. In November 1981 Ruth married Robert Davidson, they were married for 10 years until his death in 1991.
Ruth was a farmer, rancher, and homemaker. She worked many years as a cook for the Longton School System, she also worked as a phone operator for the Longton Phone Company. Ruth helped cook breakfast for the annual Wolf Hunts. She enjoyed knitting and crocheting and made hundreds of items which she shared with family and friends. Although Ruth never had any children of her own, she was a strong influence on all of her nieces and nephews, and will be greatly missed by them.
Ruth was preceded in death by a nephew, her parents, husbands, one brother Clyde Rex Martin and two sisters, Lois Currey and Joan Hisken. She is survived by nephews Doug Hisken and Russell Hisken, nieces Teresa Heater and Tina Friend, all of Belle Plaine, and nephew Steve Mashburn of Wichita, along with 21 great-nephews and great-nieces.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, 10:00 A.M., January 18, 2011 at Countryside-Zimmerman Funeral Home with the Rev. Janella McDaniel of Belle Plaine United Methodist Church officiating, with burial to follow at the Longton Cemetery. Visitation will be Monday January 17, 2011 from 3:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M. Memorials have been suggested to either the Belle Plaine Community Foundation and/or the Longton Free Fair Association and may be left with the funeral home. Online condolences may be left at: www.countrysidefh.com. Services have been entrusted to: Countryside-Zimmerman Funeral Home 206 E. Washington, P.O. Box 1233, Howard, Kansas 67349
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