Rutha Nell Stanford

Rutha Nell Stanford, 51, resident of Sikeston, Missouri died Monday, April 17, 2017 peacefully in her home surrounded by family and friends. She was born February 9, 1966 in South Bend, Indiana to J. T. Stanford of South Bend, Indiana and the late Johnnie Mae Anderson.

Rutha was a member of Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church of Lilbourn, Missouri where she sang in the choir.

She spent the last 13 years working at Cotton Easter, Inc., a home health care service in Caruthersville, Missouri., until her health failed. Rutha loved being a Certified Nurse's Assistant.

Rutha is survived by three sons and one daughter-in-law, Orlando and Terrica Kershaw, Jaurous Haynes, and Arron Stanford, all of Sikeston, Missouri, three daughters and one son-in-law, Monic and Troy Ransom of Blytheville, Arkansas, Ebony Haynes and Essence Haynes of Sikeston, Missouri, eight brothers, John T. Anderson of Howardville, Missouri, Isaac Lee Anderson of Champaign, Illinois, Toney Anderson of Cincinnati, Ohio, Timothy Long of San Francisco, California, Tyrone Steed of South Bend, Indiana, Kieran Stanford of Atlanta, Georgia, James L. Anderson of Marston, Missouri, and Demarco Partee of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, six sisters, Denita Stanford of Champaign , Illinois, Deaunna Stanford and Tonette A. Brown of Lilbourn, Missouri, Kimberly A. Gholston of Atlanta, Georgia, Antoinette A. Moseley of Ft. Washington, Maryland and Janice Thomas of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, seven grandchildren, nephews, nieces, cousins, other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held Friday, April 21, 2017 from 5:00 pm untl 6:30 pm at Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church in Lilbourn, Missouri. Funeral service will begin at 12:00 noon Saturday, April 22, 2017 at Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church with Pastor Darryl Minner officiating. Interment will follow in Simmons Park Cemetery in Catron, Missouri.