Mary Ruth Birmingham, 75, of Columbia, Mo., died Friday, May 14, 2004, at Boon Hospital Center.

She was born Feb. 22, 1929, in Clay County to Ray and Loretta Sanderfer Turner.

On June 7, 1945, she married Edward J. Birmingham in Piggott.

She was employed with the University of Missouri for 21 years.

She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; three sisters, Mary, Mildred and Delia; and one brother, Lester.

She is survived by four children, Barbara Jean Birmingham of Columbia, Carolyn Ann Cook of Springfield, Geary E. Birmingham of Columbia and Dennis Ray Birmingham of Kingdom City, Mo.; four sisters, Eula Young of Flint, Mich., Pauline Terhufen of Arizona, Wilma Smith of Pocahontas and Muriel Foster of Poplar Bluff; five grandchildren and one great-grandson.

Funeral services were held at 3 p.m. Sunday, May 16, at Memorial Funeral Home of Columbia, with Rev. Mike Eighmy officiating.

Burial was held in Memorial Park Cemetery with Memorial Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Walter Johnson Palliative Care Foundation, 1600 East Broadway, Columbia, Mo., 65201.