Ruth Ann Kelley

Murphysboro, Il - Ruth Ann Kelley, 74, passed away suddenly on October 4th, 2022 at the Memorial Hospital of Carbondale, IL. Ruth Ann was born in Princeton, IL to Frank and Madge (Wallace) Kelley on June 26, 1948. As a young child, she attended the First Baptist Church, but later the family joined Princeton Bible Church. Ruth was a graduate of Princeton High School, Class of 1966. For 19 years she worked in food service at Perry Memorial Hospital. Always interested in antiques, Ruth and her mother enjoyed shopping sales for bargains in Depression Glass, then selling to collectors from their home business "Best of Yesterday," shipping to 48 states! She eventually decided to resume her education at the University of Illinois, Circle Campus, Chicago, and graduated with a degree in accounting. Ruth bought a home in Chicago, where for 22 years she worked as an auditor, thoroughly adapting to life in the Windy City. She invited family to come for holidays and weekends, treating them to visits to the zoo, the aquarium, art museums, carriage rides, and riding the EL. Upon her retirement in 2008, she moved to her dream home near Murphysboro, IL in the Mark Twain National Forrest. There she volunteered at the Giant City State Park and audited many classes at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, IL. She studied and delighted in all things in nature, particularly plants and animals native to southern Illinois. She continued to shop sales and auctions, collecting antiques, quilts, books, and music CDs. Ruth loved nature, reading, listening to classical music, and cherished her cats! Besides visits to family in Illinois and Oklahoma, and a trip to Mexico, Ruth took a southern route road trip to California, driving home by a northern route and visiting many national parks. However, her grandest adventure was boating down the Black River in the Amazon River Basin of Brazil, immensely thrilled with the experience of the culture and wildlife. She was the family historian, and kept a file of every family member's address, birthday, and anniversary. Family members and friends were sure to receive cards for holidays as well, even her great-grand nieces and nephews! She is survived by her brother, Jim (Faith) Kelley, of Broken Arrow, OK; Nephews: Nathan Kelley, Tulsa, OK; Joel (Hannah) Kelley, Broken Arrow, OK; Nieces: Christina (Mark) Lenington, Portsmouth, VA; Julianne (David) MacLachlan, Olathe, KS; eleven grand-nieces/nephews, and numerous cousins. Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Madge Kelley. Visitation will be held on Saturday, January 7, 2023, 10:00 a.m. at the Princeton Bible Church, followed by a Memorial Service at 11:00 a.m., officiated by family member, Rev. Curt Zachary, of Springfield, MO. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Friends of Sallie Logan Library, Murphysboro, IL. Final arrangements entrusted to Norberg Memorial Home, Inc. & Monuments, Princeton, IL Online condolences may be directed to www.norbergfh.com

Ruth Ann Kelley

June 26, 1948 - October 4, 2022