Ruth Samford

Ruth Elizabeth Samford, 92, of Steele, died Wednesday, May 4, 2016 at Pemiscot Memorial Hospital in Hayti, Mo.

Mrs. Samford was born May 5, 1923 in Cooter, Mo. She was the daughter of Printy and Dicey Hard Byrd. Ruth was a member of the Steele Church of Christ. She was the beloved wife of a businessman, Joe Edwards Samford. They married in 1940 and celebrated 65 wonderful years together until Joe preceded her in death in January of 2005.

Ruth was homemaker until she became a seamstress and then worked for Sarah Coventry Jewelry. She was very involved in the Steele Book Club for many years and served as president, as well as volunteering at the local Steele Library, where she also served on the board.

Her family will forever cherish all of the one-of-a-kind handmade clothing, craft items, and "original" Ruth Samford paintings throughout the years. She loved her family dearly and encouraged each of them to be thankful for God's blessings and to remember family is one of your greatest blessings.

Survivors include her children, Glenn Ross Samford and wife, Sandra of Blytheville and Martha Samford Jackson and husband, Howard of Bartlett, Tenn.;

Grandchildren, Debora Jackson Forsythe and husband Tony of Lakeland, Tenn., Glenn Ross Samford, II and wife Mary of Irvine, Cali., James Daniel Samford and wife Aimee, and Lauren Samford Melton and husband Brian;

Great grandchildren, Madison Nicole Samford, Glenn Ross Samford, III, Karlee Anne Roberts, Jake Ryan Roberts, Trevor Anthony Forsythe, Hanna Bryce Forsythe, Luke Benjamin Samford, Margaux Valentina Samford, Savannah Jo Samford, Sophie and Dianne Samford, and her "adopted" extended family, Terri, Kevin, Margaux, Knox and Maddox Wade.

Services were held Saturday, May 7, 2016 at the John W. German Funeral Home Chapel in Steele with Mr. John Mundy, minister of the Steele Church of Christ, officiating. Interment followed in Pemiscot Memorial Gardens in Caruthersville, Mo.

Pallbearers were Gabby Bond, Charles Spencer, Howard Henry, Glenn Samford, II, Rockey Booker, James Samford, Robert Broom, Richard Jackson and Tony Forsythe.

The family requests that donations in memory of Mrs. Samford be made to the Children's Homes, Inc., 5515 Wilcott Road, Paragould, Ark., 72450, or the charity of their choice.

Arrangements were made by John W. German Funeral Home of Steele.