Martha Rusk

Martha Rusk, 85, of Fulton, passed away on Friday, July 27, 2012, at Boone Hospital Center in Columbia. She was born January 29, 1927, the daughter of James Lot Smith and Sarah Anna (Peacock) Smith. Her mother passed away in her infancy and her father married Nellie (Backer) Griffith. At age 3, her father also passed and her stepmother continued to raise her. On January 1, 1949, she married Virgil Dixon Rusk. He preceded her in death. After she graduated from Fulton High School in 1945, she attended Chillicothe Business College. Martha worked briefly at Griffith Hatchery where she met her husband. She was active in her children's lives, serving as Girl Scout and Cub Scout leader as well as room mother. She was a wonderful and loving grandmother to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Besides taking care of her children and grandchildren, she spent time caring for numerous relatives and friends. She was well known for raising rabbits and her decorative Christmas displays. She was a lifelong member of the First Presbyterian Church. She is survived by her four children; Janice Slominsky of Louisiana, Mo., Elizabeth Brooks (Lin) of Fulton, and James and Albert Rusk of the home. She is also survived by four grandchildren, Kim Brooks of Kansas City, Justin Slominsky of Eau Claire, Wis., Rebecca Brooks of Fulton, and Matthew Slominsky of Nixa, and nine great-grandchildren, Shella Robertson, Canon Farley, Donna and Tyler Zack, Addie, Katie, Ben, and Erin Slominsky, and Miles Slominsky. She is also survived by a niece, Dorothy Stauch of Los Alamitos, Calif. Besides her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by a half brother, Hubert Smith; a half sister, Hazel (Smith) Weston, and a son-in-law, Robert Slominsky. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, July 31, at Debo Funeral Home in Fulton with Pastor Mike Crowson officiating. Interment will follow at Hillcrest Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 p.m until 8 p.m. on Monday, July 30, at the Funeral Home. In lieu of customary memorials, the family suggests donations be made in Martha's name to the American Diabetes Association, c/o Debo Funeral Home, 833 Court Street, Fulton, MO 65251. Condolences can be sent by visiting www.debofuneralhome.com.