Mary Ruth (Brooks) Elledge

Mary Ruth (Brooks) Elledge was born at home on May 19, 1942, to Fred and Eva (Christian) Brooks. She passed away peacefully at her home on Monday, November 7, 2022. She married Teddy O. Elledge on June 3, 1960.

Mary attended J. Minnie Smith School and Old Baskey School during her elementary years and graduated from Poplar Bluff High School in 1960. Over the years, Mary worked as a nurse’s aide at Lucy Lee Hospital, the Box Factory, and Gossard Mfg. She later helped her husband in their home building business. Mary had many interests including artex painting, baking, and decorating cakes, candy making, sewing, traveling, paper and digital scrapbooking, and all types of crafts. She also loved working on her high school class reunions and going to the monthly class of 1960 lunch. However, her favorite thing was spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren.

Mary grew up in the First Church of God where she and her two sisters would sing as a trio. She later became a member of the Bluff City United Pentecostal Church, where she attended nearly 60 years. She was very active in her church, teaching Sunday School, working in the Children’s Ministry, Ladies Auxiliary, cooking, visiting, and taking food to the elderly in the church; as well as becoming a surrogate grandmother to many children. Mary also served many years along side her husband as an associate pastor’s wife and later as the pastor’s wife.

Mary is survived by her husband of 62 years, Teddy Elledge; two daughters, Angela Elledge (Greg) West and Teddie Elledge Hunsaker; seven grandchildren, Joshua Robinette, Aaron Prejean, Alexandra West Tinker, Quinton West, Millicent West, Natalie Hunsaker, and Madison West; one great-grandson, Sawyer Tinker; two very special nieces she helped raise, Stacie Jones Vancil and Nannette Elledge Rippee; along with several great nieces, nephews, cousins, and other extended family members.

Mary is preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Eva Brooks; two sisters, Nancy Brooks Elledge and Laura Brooks Crews.

Visitation will be held on Friday, November 11, 2022, from 6:00-8:00pm at Bluff City Apostolic Worship Center. Celebration of Life will take place on Saturday, November 12, 2022, beginning at 10:00am also at the church. Burial will take place at Poplar Bluff City Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, it was Mary’s wish that donations be made to Buddy Ball, a local special needs sports program which her granddaughter Maddi played in. Donations should be made payable to Buddy Ball and mailed to Mills Iron Supply at 1919 South Westwood Blvd., Poplar Bluff, MO 63901.

Cotrell Willow Ridge Funeral & Cremation Services is proud to serve the family and friends of Mrs. Mary Ruth Brooks Elledge. Online condolences can be made at www.cwrfcs.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mary Ruth (Brooks) Elledge, please visit our floral store.