Ruth Poynter, age 81, of Paris, passed away at 8:45 a.m. on Wednesday, May 19, 2021 at Life's Journey Senior Living Center in Paris.

In keeping with State of Illinois mandates due to COVID-19 Pandemic, everyone attending the service must wear a mask while inside the funeral home. Everyone is welcome but we ask that you keep your visit short so that all who wish to pay their respects may do so.

A visitation is scheduled from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Monday, May 24, 2021 at Stewart and Carroll Funeral Home in Paris; with a funeral service following at 2:00 p.m. Burial will be in Edgar Cemetery in Paris, Illinois.

Ruth was born February 16, 1940 in Paris, Illinois, the daughter of the late John Jay and Mary Smith Dorothy. She and her twin sister Rose were the 5 ^th and 6 ^th born of 7 children.

Mom and Dad, James L. Poynter, have had a loving marriage for 63 years. Dad survives this loss of his lifetime partner.

Together, mom and dad always put our family first. They had three children; Linda, James B., and Mary Ann. Mom stayed home with us and tended to our school activities and PTA. She often baked cookies and brought them to school to celebrate birthdays. She help me, Mary Ann, win 1 ^st place for best Halloween costume. She was very creative. Mom was also side by side with dad in his various projects. Many in Paris will remember the pies she baked every Saturday for the Poynter's Auction House. Our family was blessed to travel every year in a truck and camper across the country. Mom packed the camper to the maximum weight allowed to make sure we had everything we needed. After dad retired from the railroad, they began ballroom and country dancing across the surrounding towns. They continued to travel in their later years and enjoyed the flea market hunt for the antique item that was underpriced. One of mom's most cherished memories is those when all of her extended family gathered to share a meal at our home.

Ruth is survived by her husband: Jim Poynter of Paris, Illinois; her children: Linda Poynter of Champaign, Illinois, James (Mary Grace) Poynter of Paris, Illinois, Mary Ann Poynter of Champaign, Illinois; her grandchildren C.J. (Amber) Wright of Tampa, Florida, R.J. Zufall of Champaign, Illinois, Alliyah Poynter of Paris, Illinois; and her great-grandson Kolby James Wright; her siblings Lloyd Dorothy and Naomi Leeman.

Ruth is preceded in death by her siblings: Rose Johnson (twin sister), John Jay Dorothy Jr., Frannie Willoughby, and Mickie Simmons.

Memorials may be made to Life's Journey Senior Living Center in Paris, Illinois.