Alta Ruth Kingsolver, 95, a lifelong resident of Pleasant Hill, was born, September 4, 1921, in the Hickory Grove community near Pleasant Hill, the daughter of Jesse Cleveland and Lola Alta (Small) Hayes. She departed this life Sunday, June 4, 2017, at her home surrounded with love and family.
Ruth attended grade school at the Lone Star and Hickory Grove Schools; later graduating from Pleasant Hill High school in 1938.
On July 4, 1941, she was united in marriage to Wilmer Clay Hamilton in Harrisonville. To this union one child, Donna, was born. He preceded her in death on October 16, 1944, while serving overseas during WWII. On November 27, 1948, she was united in marriage to Clarence Garnett Kingsolver in Pleasant Hill; to this union, two children, Chuck & Karen were born. He preceded her in death on November 20, 2001.
Ruth was employed as a Storeroom Manager for Western Electric retiring in 1979. She had also been employed by Prewitt Manufacturing and Lake City. She was a member of the Pleasant Hill United Methodist church where she had been active in the Women’s Circle. She loved painting china, needlework, quilting, and shopping.
Ruth was also preceded in death by her parents; one step-son, Fred "Dennis" Kingsolver; one step-daughter, Vicki O’Rouke; two brothers, Jesse Hayes and Jay Hayes; and two sisters, Evalyn Hale and Audrey Hayes.
She is survived by one son, Chuck (and Alice) Kingsolver of Pleasant Hill; two daughters, Donna (and Robert “Bob”) Crawford and Karen (and Steve) Yoder, both of Pleasant Hill; daughter-in-law, Donna Kingsolver of Lee’s Summit; step-daughter, Carol Crawley of Pinehurst, South Carolina; 13 grandchildren; 24 great grandchildren; three brothers, A.J. (and Marilyn) Hayes of Columbia, Jerry (and Josie) Hayes, and Jerrall (and Nancy) Hayes, both of Pleasant Hill; other relatives and friends.
Visitation will be held 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, June 7, 2017, at the Stanley-Dickey Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be held 10:00 a.m. Thursday, June 8, 2017, at the Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church. Reverend Dave Owsley will officiate. Interment will be in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery. Casket bearers are Allen Hayes, Greg Hayes, Jimmy Hayes, Kent Hayes, Kevin Hayes, Michael Hayes, Terry Hayes, and Mark Redford.
Memorial contributions are suggested to the Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church and may be sent in care of the funeral home.