Ruth Newcomer

Ruth Eleanor Ferguson Newcomer departed from this life on Saturday, September 22, at Cox Hospital. She was born May 16, 1915 to Holland and Goldena Ferguson in Randolph County MO near Roanoke. There she proudly lived for many years on a farm that had been settled by family members in the early 1820s. Upon graduation from high school, she moved to Marshall to attend Missouri Valley College from which she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Education. She participated in various academic clubs and social activities at Missouri Valley including Sigma Phi Sorority. After completion of her degree, Ruth taught school in Mexico, MO for four years prior to her marriage to Kenneth Charles Newcomer on December 26, 1940. The newly married couple moved frequently while Kenneth served in the military during World War II and worked for the Veteran's Administration. The couple settled in Springfield and purchased a home in 1953 in the Roundtree district where they resided for 53 years.

First and foremost, Ruth was a devoted wife and homemaker. She loved baking bread and having friends in for coffee on Saturday mornings. For 19 years she taught at Study Junior High where she retired and returned to fulltime homemaking in 1977. She loved singing in her church choir and volunteered in various work service at University Heights for over 50 years. As a chartered member of Twin Oaks Country Club, she participated in numerous ballroom dances and played bridge until recent years. In March, 2006 Ruth and Kenneth moved to The Gardens where they remained a loving, devoted couple.

Survivors include her beloved husband Kenneth of nearly 67 years, two sons and their families. James and wife La Reva live in Springfield while Charles and wife Marilyn reside in Redmond, WA. Her grandchildren include Jeff Newcomer and wife Beth of Fall City, WA; Brad Newcomer and wife Julie of Bellevue, WA; Taisha Newcomer of Independence, MO; Toby Newcomer and wife Pilar Plazas of Atlanta, GA; Tybre Newcomer and wife Cozette Phillips of Rochester, NY. Three great-grandchildren live in the state of Washington: Tyler Jefferson Newcomer; Caley Grant and Henry Bradley Newcomer.

A memorial service to celebrate her life will be held Thursday, September 27, at 2 p.m. in the chapel at University Heights Baptist Church under the care of Herman Lohmeyer Funeral Home.

Ruth lived a comfortable life and would be pleased that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to Victory Mission, the Salvation Army or a similar charity to help those in need. Ruth Newcomer will be interned privately at Springfield Veterans Cemetery.

Online condolences can be made at www.hhlohmeyer.com