Ruth Craig

Friends (and strangers she would have loved to have met, and who would have not remained strangers to her for long) can come visit with Ruth's family at Cobb Funeral Home from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 4.

Ruth, having retired from Avon after 52 years serving the Blytheville area, also known as "the Coke lady" at Westminister Village, died on Monday, Sept. 1, 2014.

Her exceptional spirit is carried on by her five children, 12 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, siblings, nieces, nephews, in-laws, out-laws and a large group extended family and friends.

Folks who have been blessed to cross her path during her 91 years will remember her as smart, honest, funny, kind and self-sacrificing. She loved her family, cooking and sewing with a passion. Her children will miss all the delicious meals prepared with love and served in over-generous quantities. Grandbabies will not have the blessing of wearing that "special outfit" she made just for them.

Friends will notice she is not seated in "her pew" on Sunday and think of the sparkle in her blue eyes. Neighbors and employees at Westminister Village will drive by her house and remember all the ice-cold Cokes she kept in her outdoor refrigerator for them. Her numerous Avon customers will miss her laugh and her large "in-stock" inventory.

Ruth's soul mate and the love of her life, F N "Jack" Craig died 15 years ago. She is also preceded in death by her eldest son, Frank Craig.

Surviving immediate family members include her children and their families, Russell (Sue) his sons, Mitch, Marty and Mickey; Mike (Jean) their children, Blain and Brandi; Reggie (Renee) and their children, Rachel and Brandon; Barbara (Dan) and their children, Leslie, Craig and Meagan; and Tony (Jana) and their children, Taylor and Sarah. In addition, she is loved by many great-grandchildren, extended family and friends.

Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 5 at Cobb Funeral Home in Blytheville.

Ruth was an ordinary woman who lived an extraordinary life. She will be very much missed and never forgotten.