Ruth Alma Speakes

Ruth Alma Speakes, 87, of Benton Harbor, MI, Sunday, February 26, 2006, in her daughter’s home. A Mass of Resurrection will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 28 at 11:00 A.M. at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 914 Lane Drive, St. Joseph, with Mother Valori Sherer officiating. Visitation will be held between 6-8 P.M. Monday at Kerley-Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph. Burial will be held later in Missouri. Ruth was born on August 22, 1918 to Liller & Richard Dollar in Boynton, AR. She was the third of nine children: four brothers, Floyd, Elmer (Bud), Paul and Howard (Gene) Dollar; four sisters, Nadine, Elois, Willerdine, & Dorothy. Ruth was married to Albert Speaks on November 3, 1934, who also preceded her in death on August 17, 1989. She bore 3 children, Richard in December 1937, Ronald in March 1949 & Dorethy in March 1951. Richard preceded her in death on April 15, 2005. Ronald resides in South Hadley, MA with his wife Donna. He is the Red Cross director for Western Mass. Her daughter Dorethy resides in Benton Harbor and is a case manager for Gateway Milestones in Berrien Springs. Ruth is also survived by three grandchildren, Michael of AZ, Ronnie of GA and Ingrid of Germany; and three great grandchildren, Meghan and Zachary of AZ, and Stefan of Germany. She was a longtime resident of Riverside, MI before retiring with her husband to Cardwell, MO. She was a member of Forest Grove Baptist Church in Cardwell before returning to Michigan in 2001 to live with her daughter. From that time, she has been a member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in St. Joseph and a member of the Red Hat’s Society. Memorials may be given in lieu of flowers to Hospice of Berrien County or the Red Cross of America.