Lizzie Ruth Stutts

Lizzie Ruth Willhelm Stutts Lizzie Ruth Willhelm Stutts of Huntsville died peacefully in her sleep Jan. 17, 2010, less than a year away from her 100th birthday. She was born Nov. 1, 1910, the year of Halley’s Comet, in Cisco, Texas, but spent much of her childhood in Kickapoo, a now defunct community near North Zulch, named for a small tribe of American Indians. She loved her life in Kickapoo and talked of it throughout her life. Near the end, when communication was difficult for her, the word “Kickapoo” would brighten her face. A service to honor her more than 36,000 days of life has been scheduled for 11 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 21, in the McAdams Cemetery Chapel, located on the Bedias Road west of Crabbs Prairie. Interment will be in the cemetery nearby. Officiating at the service will be Rev. Ottis Byers, a nephew-in-law of Mrs. Stutts, and Rev. James Featherstone, pastor of Calvary Baptist Church east of Huntsville where Mrs. Stutts was a longtime active member. Pallbearers will include Leslie (Willie) Willhelm, Bobby Willhelm, Larry Richards, Lloyd Levell, Jack Anderson and Clyde Murray. Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home in Huntsville is in charge of funeral arrangements. In 1930 Mrs Stutts graduated from Bedias High School. Seven years later, she married A.A. (Ab) Stutts of the Round Prairie community. The house where the couple lived, though now unoccupied, still stands. Here, Mrs. Stutts enjoyed gardening and canning her fruits and vegetables. In the 1950s she and her husband moved to Huntsville to be closer to her church, Calvary Baptist, where for decades she was active in Sunday School and served as the church clerk. Nine years ago, on her 90th birthday, the congregation honored her for her contribution to the church. Over the years she became known for the excellence of her home-developed craft—sewing. Many friends and relatives benefitted from her expertise in making quilts. As she grew older, she became fond of television. Not surprisingly, her favorite programs were reruns of old favorites such “The Lawrence Welk Show” and “The Price is Right.” Her favorite pastime, however, was the dominoes game, 42; she loved beating younger players. She also loved sweetened iced tea and down-home country cooking. Occasionally, her spunk would surface when a waitress would bring her food that, in her view, was underseasoned or undercooked. “I don’t like this!” she would proclaim. Mrs. Stutts was the last survivor of a large immediate family that included her parents, Carrie Bell Magness Willhelm and Andrew Jackson Willhelm; brother, William Lester, George Oliver, Leonard Edgar, John A. and Clifford; sisters, Linnie Levada Hall and Mabel Leona Richards. There are many surviving nieces and nephews. Those wishing to leave memorial condolences for the family may do so at www.shmfh.com

Lizzie Ruth Stutts

January 1, 1753 - January 21, 2010