Merideth Elaine Stubblefield Rye

Merideth Elaine Stubblefield Rye, 74, of Russellville, loved wife, mother and 30-year Arkansas educator, died on Tuesday, April 7, 2015, at her home. Merideth was born September 10, 1940 in Fayetteville, Arkansas, and grew up on the Stubblefield farm. She was a member with her family at First Baptist Church, Fayetteville, and gave her life to Jesus Christ at the age of 10 at Siloam Springs Baptist Assembly. Merideth attended Washington Elementary and Fayetteville High School where she graduated early and enrolled at the University of Arkansas. While at the University, she pledged Tri-Delta sorority and made life-long friendships in the house. She was selected as an honorary cadet colonel for the Air Force ROTC on campus. She competed for and was selected as Miss Fayetteville, 1959. She went on to compete in the Miss Arkansas pageant later that year in Hot Springs. Merideth completed two years at the University of Arkansas before marrying Lt. Billy Rye on February 6, 1960. Billy and Merideth spent three years in Ft. Knox, Kentucky, where Billy was stationed before the couple returned to Russellville in 1962. Merideth began her teaching career in 1960 in Kentucky teaching at the Meade County School 5th and 6th grade class. Upon their return to Russellville, Merideth completed her teaching degree at Arkansas Tech University. She later finished a Master's Degree at Arkansas Tech in early childhood education. She taught first grade in the Dover School System for a year followed by work at Shinn Nursery School in Russellville. Next, she taught a Pottsville first grade for a year before beginning work in the Russellville School System at Sequoya Elementary in 1971. At Sequoya, she taught 2nd and 3rd grade for three years. When kindergartens were added to the elementary schools, Merideth was excited to begin one of the initial kindergarten classes at Oakland Heights Elementary where she taught for 20 years. She retired from the Russellville School System in 1994. Merideth, as a current and then as a retired teacher, was an active member of Delta Kappa Gamma Society, a teaching sorority promoting excellence in women educators. Merideth also worked in a specific committee responsible for drafting Arkansas legislation that limited kindergarten class sizes from 25 to 20 students. This legislation was signed by then-governor Bill Clinton. Merideth has been a member of First Baptist Church, Russellville since 1962. She enjoyed singing in the adult choir and also taught Sunday School, training union, vacation Bible school, and she and Billy enjoyed working with the College Ministry at FBC. She was preceded in death by her parents, Roland and Katherine Stubblefield of Fayetteville, and her older brother and sister-in-law, Jimmy and Shirley Stubblefield of Chino, California. She is survived by her husband of 55 years, Billy Rye, and son Chip Rye with daughter-in-law Carole Rye, and three granddaughters, Rachel, Rebekah, and Hannah Rye of The Woodlands, Texas. In addition, Merideth is survived by her brothers and wives, Dr. Jon and Jackie Stubblefield of Hot Springs Village and Charles and Cissy Stubblefield of Universal City, Texas. Following a massive stroke in 1997, Merideth required much care and assistance. The Rye Family wishes to specially thank Mrs. Barbara Page, who has worked tirelessly to care, pray, and love on Merideth for many years. In addition, the family thanks Melissa Hefley for her care for Merideth. The family also thanks Mrs. Vicki Betterton, Merideth's friend and nurse and Dr. Andrew Monfee, Merideth's personal physician. In addition, the family thanks Pam Duvall for her service to Merideth as caregiver for several years. Also, the Rye Family wishes to thank the many friends and visitors to Merideth since 1997 who have provided food, fellowship and encouragement to her and the Rye family. he funeral service will be at 10 a.m. on Thursday, April 9, 2015, at First Baptist Church officiated by Merideth's brother, Dr. Jon Stubblefield. Burial will be in Oakland Cemetery in Russellville, by Shinn Funeral Service of Russellville. The family will receive friends on Wednesday evening, from 5-6:30 p.m., at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the Rye family requests that gifts be made to the First Baptist Church building fund, P.O. Box 36, Russellville, Arkansas 72811. The online obituary and guestbook is available at www.shinnfuneral.com.