Ruth Gearldine McIntire

Ruth Gearldine McIntire, 94 of Judsonia, Arkansas went to be with her Lord and Savior on September 28th, 2019. Gearldine was born in Judsonia on August 24th, 1925 to Herbert Carlon and Mary Edith Louks Twyford. She is preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, Lawrence S. McIntire Sr. and four sisters, Ruby Twyford, Helen Dale, Lorene Hendrickson and Joyce Hubach. She is survived by her three children, Patricia (Dighton) Ewan of Clarendon, Lawrence Jr (Kay) McIntire of Little Rock, and Annette (James) Stapleton of Searcy, six grandchildren, Jim (Charlotte) Ewan, Laurie (Wes) Evans, Patrick (Medley) Ewan, Lynne McIntire, Kelly (Ben) Baugher and Kaley (Jacob) Reed, fifteen great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren. Also surviving, one beloved brother-in-law Johnny (Dolly) McIntire, nieces, nephews and friends. Gearldine attended Judsonia Public Schools and always enjoyed the school reunions. She graduated from Memphis Beauty College where she gained the skills to own and operate Gearldine’s Beauty Shop for over 50 years. Gearldine was a member of the Judson Chapter 562 Order of the Eastern Star for over 50 years and also attended meetings regularly at the Kensett and Pangburn chapters. In the Eastern Star she served all of the star points and was Worthy Matron on several different occasions. Gearldine survived injuries that she sustained in the tornado of 1952 that destroyed the small town of Judsonia. She was a member of the Judsonia United Methodist Church where she loved attending and serving until her health did not permit. In Church she served as a Sunday School Teacher, secretary to the board, member of the choir and handbell choir and many other things. One of her many traditions at the church was beautifully reading “Twas the night before Jesus came” Christmas story as her sister Joyce played music softly in the background. She loved going to church and frequently asked “when are we going to church?” even after she was not physically able to go. She loved going to parades, Prospect Bluff days, attending the annual Thanksgiving fellowship with the Baptist Church, attending Eastern Star, shopping and most importantly spending time with her family. She was the “Queen” of hospitality and loved making people feel at home with her beautiful smile and making sure they had plenty to eat. She was a wonderful cook. She was known to her health caretakers as “Mrs. Ruth”. They all looked forward to seeing her beautiful smile as they cared for her. Many thanks to Arkansas Hospice and the Community Compassion Staff for their loving care. Memorials can be made to the Judsonia United Methodist Church. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, Oct. 3 at the Judsonia United Methodist Church at 1:00 p.m. Visitation will be one hour prior starting at noon. Entombment will follow in the mausoleum at White County Memorial Gardens. Arrangements entrusted to Powell Funeral Home Bald Knob-Judsonia. www.powellfuneralhome.net

Ruth Gearldine McIntire

August 24, 1925 - September 28, 2019