LIVING FAMILY HAS BEEN DELETED

Ruby Mildred Wicker McHan, 82, Springfield, died Feb. 26, 2000, after a brave battle with congestive heart failure. She was born March 13, 1917, to Fred and Idella Hardcastle Wicker near Bakersfield. Educated in one-room schools, she graduated from Bakersfield High School. At the age of 18 she went to New York, N.Y., where she worked as a cook for wealthy families, sending much of her pay to her parents and young siblings during the Great Depression and drought. After attending Southwest Missouri State College for one year, she began her teaching career at Big Springs School in Howell County. On March 22, 1943, she married Daniel Webster McHan, who had been the previous teacher at the little school. She worked for Boeing Aircraft during World War II while Daniel was in Europe. In 1962 she completed her B.S. degree at Drury College and taught 16 years in West Plains and 13 years in Ozark, where she retired in 1987. She was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma honorary teachers' society and was nominated by Ozark PTA for state teacher of the year in 1986. Teaching was her "God-called profession." She gave her heart to Christ as a young girl and was a teacher of ladies' classes and children's groups for more than 40 years at the Southern Baptist churches where she was a member. She not only taught but lived her Christian principles. She is survived by her husband of 57 years, Daniel; a daughter,and her husband; a son, and his fiancee,three grandchildren, and his wife, two sisters, One living && Geraldine Tucker; three nieces, four nephews and a large extended family which was very important in her life. She was preceded in death by her parents and four brothers. The family deeply appreciates Cynthia Rowland and Lloyd Jones, whose care and assistance allowed Ruby to spend her last months at home. Services are today (Wednesday) in Greenlawn North Funeral Home, Springfield, and at Amy Union Church south of West Plains. Burial will be Amy Union Cemetery.