Ruthann Hamelton

Ruthann Meadows Hamelton, 60, of Keokuk, IA, passed away Saturday, November 19, 2011 at her home surrounded by her family. She was born on May 10, 1951 in Omar, West Virginia, the daughter of Everett and Neva Hall Meadows. Ruthann worked at the Grand Lunch and Deluxe Cleaners in Keokuk, IA before starting her career as a caregiver. She worked as a CNA in several Nursing Homes and Home Health for thirty years, retiring in 2005. Ruth loved her kids and grandkids and they were her life. She was looking forward to the birth of her first great-grandchild. She loved people. She liked gambling at the casinos, loved to dance, travel and the music of Alan Jackson. She enjoyed going on long car rides in the country and liked to go to yard sales, looking for a bargain. She had a green thumb and enjoyed growing flowers of all kinds. Ruth was very strong willed and vowed not to let cancer defeat her. Although she lost the battle, she lost it on her terms; she lived independently until the end. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her. She is survived by one daughter, Chris Arrowood and her husband Jason of Keokuk, IA, one son, Jeff Hamelton and his wife Holly of Washington, IA, nine grandchildren, David, Brittney, Lyndsay and Madison Arrowood all of Keokuk, Jeffrey and Dalton Hamelton of Washington, IA, Morgan and Miranda Britton of Washington, IA and Brenna Peterschmidt of Ft. Madison, IA , one brother, Ernie "Bub" Meadows and his wife Sheila of Prole, IA, one sister-in-law Tina Hamelton of Keokuk, IA, several nieces and nephews, including Ernie Meadows, Jr. of Grimes, IA, Ginger Ann Frasier-Bell of West Des Moines, IA and Terry Hamelton, Jr. of Keokuk, IA, honorary grandchildren, Devone Hodgson, Eli Burris and Morgan Stamper all of Keokuk, her first great-grandchild who will be born in April and her faithful and loyal companion, Daisy the Boxer dog. She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother and sister in infancy. In accordance with her wishes, she has been cremated and her ashes will travel with her brother to be spread across the country. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Memorials may be made to the family and sent to or left at the Vigen Memorial Home, 1328 Concert Street., Keokuk, IA 52632.