St. Clair County Obits

RUTH TALLA ENGLAND

St. Clair County Courier
12 May 2006
Ruth Talla England, age 99, of Rich Hill formerly of Schell City, was born October 31, 1906, in Marlow, Oklahoma Territory near Fort sills and Chickasha. Her mother, Pansy Pearl Allen was a rural music teacher and composer. Her father, Thomas Oscar Talla, a school teacher, was one of 15 children born to a Norwegian immigrant family.
Ruth was raised in a Christian home where she was baptized into the Methodist faith at the age of 10. She carried her love of her Lord Jesus Christ throughout her life and had most recently been a member of the Assembly of God Church in Rich Hill. Ruth attended Cameron University in Oklahoma and Northwestern Teachers College. She later graudated from Asbury Academy in Kentucky and completed her teaching degree from Weatherford College. She taught white and Indian children in Oklahoma and after moving to Missouri taught in Lowry City, Harwood, and Schell City.
On May 12, 1933, Ruth was united in marriage to Clay W. England and to their union one daughter and one son were born. Clay and Ruth traveled to Germany, Norway, England, and Nigeria to serve in the mission fields.
Throughout her life, Ruth wrote, illustrated and published many books and during her last 30 years, her time was spent writing, publishing, and distributing devotional materials. She was also a very accomplished artist and painter.
Survivors include her son, John England and his wife Lena of Rich Hill; five grandchildren, Deborah Hayes and her husband Randy of Huntington, Texas; Sheila Presley and her husband, Terry of Kansas City, Kan.; Dana Cook and her husband, Mark of Flat Rock, Mich.; John L. England and his wife, Virginia of Kansas City, Kan.; and Dianne Montagna of Los Angeles, Calif.; six great grandchildren, Randy Hayes, Brian Moore, Michael Moore, Sara Moore, Mark Cook, Jr., and Tyler Cook; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
Ruth was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Allen Talla; one adopted sister, Ethel Acord; one grandson, Stewart Allen; her daughter, Pearl Kempton; and her husband, Clay who passed away January 11, 1993.
Funeral services for Ruth Talla England were held Wednesday, May 3, at the Lewis-Hoagland Funeral Home in Schell City with Bro. Tim Brewer officiating. Interment was in the Green Lawn Cemetery in Schell City under the direction of the Lewis-Hoagland Funeral HOme in Schell City. Memorials are suggested to the Green Lawn Cemetery in Schell City in care of the funeral home.