Ruth Walker (1911-1977) - competitve debater

The future Dr. Ruth Richardson, accomplished professor of education, was on the debate team in college.  From the 1932 yearbook for Illinois State University (click to enlarge) --

Am I supposed to be happy or sad she defeated my alma mater Wheaton College (IL)?

Dr. Ruth (Walker) Richardson was my 2nd cousin 1x removed.

Copyright © 2014 by Kevin W. Walker

Sunday's Obituary: Dr. Ruth Richardson (nee. Walker, 1912-1977)

From the Edwardsville Intelligencer, Wednesday, September 7, 1977 (click to enlarge) --

Richardson 

Ruth Walker Richardson, 65, of 516 Sunset Drive,  noted educator in Illinois, died at 1:10am today, Sept. 8, 1977, in Springfield Memorial Hospital. 

Mrs. Richardson received her doctorate degree from Pennsylvania State University and was considered an authority in education.  She was a member of the Department of Education at Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville from 1964 to 1976, and was involved in training reading teachers.   

In 1971 she received the Teaching Excellence Award offered by the Standard Oil Foundation and given to teachers considered most excellent in various disciplines. 

She was born May 8, 1912, at Bloomington, a daughter of the late Guy. T. and Nellie L. Walker. 

She was married to Robert Richardson of Springfield, who survives. 

Also surviving is a sister, Mrs. Ben R. Trent of Bloomington. 

Mrs. Richardson was a charter member of the Tau Chapter of Alpha Delta Kappa.  She was a member of the International Reading Association, the International Parliamentarians Association, and Pi Kappa Delta. 

She was a sponsor and organizer of the Psi Chapter of Kappa Delta Pi at SIU-E.  She was a member of the Christian Church Disciples of Christ. 

Friends may call from 5pm to 8pm Friday in the Boardman-Smith Funeral Home at Springfield.  Funeral services will be at 1:30pm Saturday in the funeral home. 

Burial will be in Roselawn Memorial Park, Springfield. 

Memorials may be sent to the Ruth O. Richardson Scholarship Fund at SIU-E. 

Dr. Ruth Richardson was my second cousin, once removed.

Copyright © 2014 by Kevin W. Walker

Sunday's Obituary: Nellie K. Walker (nee. O'Brien) 1885-1974

June 10, 1874 issue Edwardsville Intelligencer (Edwardsville, IL) --

Walker - Mrs. Nelle K. Walker, 89, of Bloomington died Sunday morning in the home of her daughter, Mrs. Robert Richardson, 516 Sunset Dr. 

Mrs. Walker was a secretary for the Alumni Association of Illinois Wesleyan University.  She was born on Jan. 1, 1885, a daughter of the late John and Ellen O'Brien. 

She was married to Truman Walker on June 12, 1908.  He died on March 15, 1919.  Daughters Mrs. Robert (Ruth) Richardson of Edwardsville and Mrs. Ben (Trunella) Trent of Bloomington, survive. 

Mrs Walker was a member of the Keystone Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star, Bloomington, for 55 years, and of the Royal Neighbors, Camp 619 Pocahontas Lodge, and the Lambda Chapter of the Alpha Delta Kappa. 

She was also a member of the First Christian Church of Bloomington.

Visitation will be Tuesday at Stamper Funeral Home, Bloomington.  Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday in the funeral home.  Burial will be in the Park Hill Cemetery, Bloomington. 

The Pletcher Funeral Home was in charge of local arrangements.

Nellie's legal name was Kathryn E. O'Brien, and she was actually married in 1907.  She was the wife of my first cousin 2x removed, Guy Truman Walker.

This obituary was crucial to my locating their daughter Ruth's married name.

Copyright © 2014 by Kevin W. Walker