Ruth Althea Bearden

Ruth Althea Chesshir Bearden, 95 of Searcy, Ark., died Saturday, Oct. 8, 2016. She was born in Center Point, Arkansas on Feb. 23, 1921 to the late Jordan and Jenny Fricks. She had lived the last four years in Searcy, Ark., to be close to her niece, Jan Chesshir Morgan and Jan's husband, Paul. While in Searcy Ruth lived three years at Harding Place where she enjoyed going to Bible studies and games of Bingo. The last year of her life she lived at Providence Assisted Living. While in Searcy she was a member of and worshipped at College Church of Christ. Before moving to Searcy, Ruth lived in Texarkana, Charleston, and Fort Smith, Ark. Mrs. Bearden worked in the business offices of Harding University and East Texas State University. She loved her family, the church, traveling, crocheting, assembling jigsaw puzzles, her pets, and time with friends. Mrs. Bearden found enjoyment in life's simple moments. The scripture which describes her life well is I Timothy 6:6, "...Godliness with contentment is great gain." She is preceded in death by her parents; her beloved daughter, Patricia Bearden Yick; her sisters, Betty Pack and Lena Hall; her brothers, Charles Chesshir, J.D. Chesshir, Walter Fricks Chesshir; and one nephew, Charles Delane Chesshir. Survivors include son-in-law, Bill Yick of Copperas Cove, Texas; nephews, Sam Buchanan of Athens, Ala., Tim Buchanan of Florence, Ala.; and nieces, Eva Jean White of Pine Bluff, Ark., Sarah Graham of Fort Worth, Texas, and Jan Chesshir Morgan of Searcy. Special thanks to the caregivers at Providence Assisted Living who tenderly and lovingly cared for her as her health declined. Visitation will be Tuesday, Oct. 11, starting at 11:30 a.m. at Powell Funeral Home. Graveside funeral services will be Tuesday at 12:30 p.m. at Oaklawn Memorial Gardens. Arrangements by Powell Funeral Home of Searcy. www.powellfuneralhome.net.