Helen “Ruth” Emerson, 70, of Humboldt died Thursday, Dec. 1, 2011, at Neosho Memorial Regional Medical Center in Chanute.
She was born on April 30, 1941, in Scotland, Ark., to Earl and Really Flossie (Bryant) Ratliff.
On Aug. 26, 1957, she married Don Emerson in Ukiah, Calif.
She was a homemaker and self-employed store owner.
She is survived by her husband; a daughter, Sharrie Lowry and her husband, Rick, Humboldt; two sons, Jim and his wife, Karen, Chanute, and Don Jr. and his wife, Tammy, Gas; seven grandchildren, Jerry Lowry, Randy Lowry, Summer Lowry, David Emerson, Galvin Emerson, Corey Emerson and Josh Emerson; 14 great-grandchildren, Bailey Lowry, Jacob Gryzbowski, Bradley Lowry, Kamo Lowry, Laken Lowry, Shooter Lowry, Nahla Lowry, Aaliyah Lowry, Sage Emerson, Collin Emerson, Lily Bartley, Broden Emerson and Zac Emerson; four sisters, Gerry Leach, Doris Gaddy and AnnaSue Taylor, all of California, and Janie Southwick, Texas.
She was preceded in death by a brother, Charles Lynn Ratliff.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Penwell-Gabel Gibson Chapel. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery in Chanute.
Visitation will be Tuesday from 12:30 until 2 p.m. at the funeral home.
Memorials to the Reachout Christian Center may be left at the funeral home. To leave a message for the family online visit www.PenwellGabelGibson.com.
