Ruth Alma Elizabeth Moten

Ruth Alma Elizabeth Moten, 103, of Danville and formerly of Chicago/Harvey, IL, was born on December 5, 1917 in Tuckerman, Arkansas to Mr. Edward Parrott and Mrs. Cora Moore.  Ruth was a dedicated member of First Lutheran Church in Harvey, IL for over forty-five years and attended New Life Church of Faith in Danville, IL.

Ruth graduated from Tuckerman High School in Arkansas and worked at Oak Forest Hospital in Oak Forest, IL as a dietician.  She married James Moten in March 1943 and they were happily married for 64 years until he passed away on April 13, 2007. Ruth was an avid civil rights activist, marching with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in Marquette Park; for many years she fought for fair housing rights for all Americans and helped to resolve hunger issues throughout Harvey, IL.  She loved fellowshipping, making friends, helping those in need and getting into “Good Trouble”.

Ruth enjoyed going to dinner, playing Bingo, being a horticulturist, watching her favorite soap opera and tv mystery shows, meditating with the Bible and visiting with Pastor Thomas Miller, spending time with her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and most of all traveling with her daughters and granddaughters across the world.  

Ruth transitioned to Glory at 6:10 a.m. on Thursday, December 3, 2020 at Accolade/North Logan Health Care Nursing Home in Danville, Illinois. 

Ruth leaves to cherish her memory her devoted children, two daughters Carol (Stanley) Moten-Crawford, Danville, IL, Sonja Mitchell (Moten), East Moline, IL and two sons Tyrone Moten, Danville, IL, James (Jimmy) Moten Jr., Ypsilanti, MI; sisters Lisa Parrott, Carolyn Sue Williams, Shirley Rhodes, Dorothy West, Velda Robinson, one brother, Larry Dicus, and her grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. She also has a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. 

She was preceded in death by mother, father, husband, son (Dennis Moten), daughters Sharon Moten (Jones), Cora (Homer) Moten-Smith, Joyce (Ozell) Moten-Wesley, Mildred (Ralph) Moten-Smith and grandson Bennie Moten.

She loved her family dearly and enjoyed life to the fullest and will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

 A Homegoing Celebration will commence on at 11:00 am Tuesday December 8, 2020 at Leek & Sons Funeral Home, 304 E. Williams St. Officiating Minister Danny Odomes. Visitation will begin at 10:00 am until the time of the service. Burial will follow after at Danville National Cemetery, Danville. A public viewing will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. Monday December 7, 2020 at Leek & Sons Funeral Home.

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