Ruth A. Blackwell, 81, Springfield, MO died September 25, 2002 in Magnolia Square Nursing Home in Springfield, MO.

She was born Dec. 15, 1920, in Cadmus, KS., the daughter of Thomas Robert and Emma Margaret Rauhut Barker. She was a 1938 graduate of Osawatomie High School.

She and Jim Blackwell were married April 22, 1949. They became the parents of two daughters.

Mrs. Blackwell was a coordinator beauty counselor for the State of Kansas and also taught dance to children.

She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star in Wichita and the First Baptist Church of Osawatomie.

Those preceding her in death included her husband, Jim Blackwell, who died June 3, 2002.

Survivors include two daughters, Carolyn Kemp of Republic, MO, and Connie Buchholtz of Springfield, MO; two brothers, Bob Barker and Charles Barker, both of Osawatomie; two sisters, Betty Troutman of Osawatomie and Frances Troxel of Herington, KS; and one grandson.

Services were in the Walnut Lawn DeGraffenreid-Wood Funeral Home in Springfield. Burial was in the Missouri Veterans Cemetery.

Those attending services for Mrs. Blackwell included Deana Byers and Frances Troxel of Herington; Marilyn Robinette and Ken Robinette and family of Smithville, MO; Tom and Linda Troutman and Jon Troutman of Lenexa, KS; Joy Lynn Roberts and family of Marysville, KS; Sean Ewbank of Olathe, KS; Roger and Vicki Barker of Bucyrus, KS; Diane Downing of Gardner, KS; Janice Huber of Paola; Donna Ewbank, Chauncey Ewbank, Cathy Barker, Janice and Charlie Barker, Bob and Dorothy Barker, Debbie Wilson and Jack and Betty Troutman, all of Osawatomie, KS.