Alice Ruth Wade (Lebanon)'s Obituary
Alice Ruth Wade, daughter of Jacob and Florence R. Patterson Lanham, was born December 29, 1933, in St. Louis, Missouri. She departed this life Saturday, June 8, 2019, in Lebanon North Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, in Lebanon, Missouri, at the age of eighty-five years, five months, and ten days.
On October 7, 1953, she was united in marriage to William Wade, and to this union three daughters and one son were born.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, William “Bill”, on September 13, 1975; two daughters, Debbie Wade in infancy, and Peggy Webb; a granddaughter, Asia; and a brother, Granville Lanham.
Alice is survived by a daughter, Debra Mattes, of Eldridge, Missouri; a son, Allan Wade, of Lebanon, Missouri; five grandchildren, Audrey Webb, Jacob Webb, David Wade, Joshua Mattes, and William Mattes, and his wife, Cori; a great-grandchild, Riyan Wade; several nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other relatives and friends.
She was born and raised in the St. Louis area, and was orphaned when she was nine years old. She was in foster care until she turned seventeen when she married Bill and they moved to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. Alice was a devoted military wife while Bill was serving his country and they made their home in Germany, California, New York, and then returned to Fort Leonard Wood. The family then made their home in Lebanon for many years. Alice worked as a supervisor at Tan-Tar-A Resort for several years, and then worked at Christian Healthcare North, now Lebanon North Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, for twenty-two years.
In her spare time she enjoyed gardening, and grew many wonderful vegetables and flowers each year. She had won several First Place Ribbons at the Laclede County Fair for her exceptional entries from her garden. She was obsessed with the Pioneer Woman and also liked listening to the Trading Post each day on KJEL Radio. She had a love for animals and particularly for her cats, Smokey and Fat Fred. She was always willing to help others and enjoyed hosting family gatherings on all the holidays. Her family was very dear to her and she especially enjoyed having time with her grandchildren and great-grandchild.
Alice was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and was a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate her life and know that her family and friends will cherish the wonderful memories she created for them during her eighty-five years.
Memorial to St. Jude's Children's Hospital
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