Obituary of Mildree Alice Ross

Funeral Services for Mildree Alice Ross of Elsberry, MO will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, June 5, 2020 at New Hope Baptist Church near Elsberry. Rev. John Zellmer of Elsberry will officiate with burial in the Star Hope Cemetery near Elsberry. Serving as pallbearers will be John Fakes, Jeff Pratt, Jared Pratt, Mike Whyte, Tim Baker, Wade Ross and Kevin Campbell. Mrs. Ross, 92, passed away Saturday afternoon, May 30, 2020 at her home near Elsberry. Born January 14, 1928 near Foley, MO, she was the daughter of James Louis and Printha Irene Cannon Foster. She was a 1946 graduate of Elsberry High School and went on to attend Kirksville Northeast Missouri College to earn her teaching certificate. Mildree then taught in a one room school house in Foley for several years. Mildree was united in marriage on March 13, 1947 in Foley to Chester Leo Ross. This union was blessed with five children: LaVerna, Brenda, Suzette, Rita and Chester. Mildree and Chester farmed together for many years. Mildree was active as a softball player and participated in the Senior Olympics. A love for softball and baseball, Mildree and Chester traveled to the Field of Dreams in Iowa. As her children were growing up, Mildree was a 4H leader. Later in life, Mildree bought a pair of cross country snow skis and taught herself a new activity. Mildree and her family always made apple butter at the Old Threshers Reunion, Applefest and other area autumn festivals. She was a longtime Sunday School Teacher and RA Leader her church; also serving on the Women’s Missionary Union. Mildree was a member of the New Hope Baptist Church near Elsberry. Mildree was preceded in death by her parents, James and Printha Foster; three brothers: Paul Foster, Ralph Foster and Cannon Foster; one sister, Olive Foster; and her beloved husband of 60 years, Chester Ross, who died October 16, 2007. Survivors include their children: LaVerna Fakes and her husband, David, of Elsberry, Brenda Whyte of Elsberry, Suzette Pratt and her husband, Bill, of Elsberry, Rita Motley and her husband, Rodney, of Elsberry, and Chester Ross and his wife, Liz, of Phoenix, AZ; nine grandchildren and eighteen great-grandchildren. Mildree also leaves one sister-in-law, Goldie Foster; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. until the time of Funeral Services at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, June 5, 2020 at New Hope Baptist Church. **A mask MUST be worn and six feet social distancing guidelines must be followed in order to attend.** Memorials may be made to the New Hope Baptist Church, Star Hope Cemetery (or) Bethany Cemetery in care of Carter-Ricks Funeral Home, 107 S. 5th Street; Elsberry, MO 63343.