Rutha Artis

Rutha L. Artis, the daughter of the late Thessalonia and Lillie Mae White Thatch, raised by the late Samella Chairs Thatch, was born in Forrest City, Arkansas, on November 23, 1923, and passed away at the Baptist Hospital in Nashville, Tennessee on January 31, 2008, at the age of 84 years, 2 months and 8 days. Mrs. Artis had lived Southwest of Dexter for 25 years before moving to Sikeston, Missouri in 1991. From 1994 to 2006 she resided in Lynwood, Illinois and most recently Hermitage, Tennessee. She was a faithful and longtime member of the Gray Ridge Missionary Baptist Church from 1948 to 1994, and Calvary Baptist Church, Glenwood, Illinois from 1994 to 2006, and most recently the Stateland Baptist Church in Old Hickory, Tennessee. She was married to William H. Artis, Sr. and he preceded her in death on October 4, 1991. She was also preceded in death by one son, Raymond Artis on September 9, 1971, two brothers, Willie B. and Paul Thatch, and one sister, Lula Jackson. Surviving are seven sons, William Artis, Jr. of New York, New York, Larry (Emma) Artis of Harvey, Illinois, Roger (Bertha) Artis of Orlando, Florida, Thomas (Gail) Artis of Fort Sill, Oklahoma, Christopher (Rachel) Artis of Sikeston, Missouri, Mark (Jana) Artis of Boise, Idaho, Eric Artis of Denver, Colorado; eight daughters, Margia Artis, Mattie Artis, Veronica Artis all of Hermitage, Tennessee, Earlie Armstrong, Doris (Victor) Caston, and Gloria Triplett all of Calumet City, Illinois, Sandra Philippa (Lance) Jackson of Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, Beverly (Edward) Barnes of Sikeston, Missouri; twenty-five grandchildren; twenty-one great grandchildren; and two sisters, Earlene Tripp of Chicago, Illinois and Irene Thatch of Beaufort, North Carolina. A host of relatives and many friends also survive. Friends may call on Sunday, February 3, 2008, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at the Watkins & Sons Funeral Home in Dexter, Missouri. Funeral services will be held on Monday, February 4, 2008, at 12:00 PM at the Watkins & Sons Chapel in Dexter, Missouri with Courtney Barnes of Florrisant, Missouri officiating. Interment will follow in the Garden of Memories Cemetery in Sikeston, Missouri with Watkins & Sons Funeral Service of Dexter, Missouri in charge of arrangements.