OBITUARY Ruth Irene Love, known to all as Deedee, of St. Clair, MO departed this life in St. Clair on January 13, 2022, having reached the age of ninety-two years, nine months and five days. Deedee was born in Richwoods, MO on April 8, 1929, daughter of Thomas Sebastian Hayes and Laura Ellen Hayes nee Charboneau. On June 28, 1947 she was united in marriage to Elmer Kasper Love and two daughters came to bless this union. Deedee is survived by her daughters, Diana Love Dierker of St. Clair, MO and Sue Rutledge and husband, Rick of Springfield, MO; by her grandchildren, Laura Francisco and husband, Richard, of Cedar Hill, MO, Michael Dierker of St. Clair, MO, John Paul Dierker and wife, Dawn, of Lonedell, MO and Matthew Engel and wife, Melani, of Fair Grove, MO; by fifteen great-grandchildren, five great-great-grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews, great, great-great and great-great-great-nieces and nephews, cousins and many friends. Deedee was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas and Laura Hayes; by her husband, Elmer Love; by six brothers, Anthony Hayes, Francis Hayes, Louis Hayes, Lawrence Hayes. Charley Hayes and Chester Hayes; and by her sisters, Lucille Patton, Ethel Carver, Laura Hayes and Esther Patton. Deedee was a Christian and had previously attended St. John United Church in Christ in St. Clair, MO. During her working career she worked at International Shoe, Deb Shoe and Brown Shoe Companies over the years. She volunteered at a local food pantry for seventeen years and the Agape Thrift Store in St. Clair for over thirty years. Deedee played several musical instruments, mainly the guitar, and also volunteered her time playing at nursing homes and senior centers. She was a regular at Home Folks Acoustic Music House in St. Clair, MO, and her treasured friends there were like family to her. She loved nature, whether taking walks, feeding and watching birds or working in her garden. What meant most to her was taking care of her home and family. Her children and grandchildren held a very special place in her heart, as she did in theirs. The love they shared and many precious memories they created will be cherished by them all forever. A kind and loving mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, great and great-great-grandmother, aunt, great, great-great and great-great-great-aunt, cousin and treasured friend, she will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by all who knew and loved her. Funeral services were held at 2:00 PM Saturday, January 22, 2022 at Russell Colonial Funeral Home in St. Clair, MO with Rev. Dick Hinson officiating. Interment was in Prospect Cemetery in Lonedell, MO. Memorials may be made to Home Folks Acoustic Music House, PO Box 363, Lonedell, MO 63060 (checks made payable to Warren or Janis Huff).