Obituary of Helen Darlene Hunter

Funeral Services for Helen Darlene Hunter of Elsberry, MO, will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, January 25, 2013 at Carter-Ricks Funeral Home in Elsberry. Rev. Kelly Hardcastle of Troy, MO and Rev. Gene Stewart of Annada, MO, will officiate with burial in Star Hope Cemetery near Elsberry. Mrs. Hunter, 81, passed away early Tuesday morning, January 22, 2013 at Jonesburg Nursing and Rehab in Jonesburg, MO. Born May 10, 1931 in Hobert, MO near Silex, MO, she was the daughter of Jerry Miah and Mary Edna Colbert Ray. She was united in marriage on September 11, 1948 in Elsberry to Thomas Eugene Hunter. This union was blessed with two children: Michael and Karen. She worked for many years as a seamstress and presser for Bobbin A Long until the business closed. She was a member of IGLW (International Ladies Garment Workers Union.) In her free time, she enjoyed working as a waitress at the Bowling Green Sale Barn. She was preceded in death by her parents, Jerry and Mary Ray; one son, Michael Ray Hunter in 1971; one brother, J.C. Ray; and two sisters: Margie Gladney and Serdie Ray. Survivors include her beloved husband of 64 years, Thomas Hunter of Elsberry; one daughter, Karen Shuford-Smith and her husband, Bob, of Elsberry; three grandchildren: Kristy Seidel and her husband, Ray, of Aurora, IL, Mike Shuford and his wife, Stacy, of Elsberry and Molly Rosauer and her husband, Joel, of Iowa City, IA; and three great-grandchildren: Zachary and Braedan Seidel and Kelsey Shuford. She also leaves one sister, Dottie Stewart and her husband, Gene, of Annada; several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Visitation will be held from 4:00-8:00 p.m. Thursday, January 24, 2013 at Carter-Ricks Funeral Home in Elsberry. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association in care of Carter-Ricks Funeral Home; 107 S. 5th Street; Elsberry, MO 63343.