MARTHA LOUISE CARUTHERS

LAMAR- Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, at the First Baptist Church in Lamar, for Martha “Louise” Caruthers, 100, Lamar, who died Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, surrounded by family. Burial will follow at Memory Gardens Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, at Daniel Funeral Home.

Contributions are suggested and made payable to either the Alzheimer's Association or American Heart Association, in care of the funeral home.

Condolences may be shared at www.dfhlamar.com.

Survivors include two sons, Richard Caruthers and wife Carol, Rockport, Texas and Tom Caruthers and wife Brenda, Lamar; one daughter, Karen Nims and husband Dale, Lamar and one daughter-in-law, Cathy Caruthers, Lamar; 12 grandchildren, Chad Caruthers, Cara Villar and husband Marco, Tanina Torbeck, Mindy Greene and husband Casey, Raeann Eidson and husband Preston, Jeremy Caruthers, Matthew Caruthers and wife April, Monica Willis and husband Josh, Adam Nims, Kelli Nims, Christopher Nims and wife Cheriese and Blaine Nims and wife Elizabeth.; 20 great-grandchildren, Eli Villar, Benjamin Villar, Tucker Torbeck, Taryn Torbeck, Trent Torbeck, Parker Greene, Keilin Greene, Bryer Eidson, Essie Eidson, Madison Caruthers, Taylor Caruthers, Michael Caruthers and wife Cori, Courtney Caruthers, Darin Caruthers, Lexi Moore, Chloe Moore, Judah Nims, Jonah Nims, Jordan Nims and Carson Nims; one great-great grandchild, Brooks Caruthers and one baby coming soon; two brothers, Don Selvey and wife Thelma, Carl Selvey and wife Beverly and one sister-in-law, Donna Selvey.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Orville; one son, Daniel Ray Caruthers and one granddaughter-in-law, Mandy Caruthers; six brothers, Martin Selvey, Gene Selvey, Keith Selvey, Bob Selvey, Ron Selvey and Leland Gail Selvey and two sisters, Helen Carr and Lorene Norwood.

Mrs. Caruthers was born July 14, 1923, in Lamar, to Roy Robert Selvey and Essie Florence (McManis) Selvey. She attended Ozark Country School through the eighth grade, and then graduated from Lamar High School in the class of 1941. She married Orville Thomas Caruthers on May 6, 1945, in Lamar.

She worked as a cook/baker for the Lamar School cafeteria for 27 years, making thousands of cinnamon rolls each week at school. She then worked as a tour guide at the Truman Birthplace for 23 years and only stopped due to the COVID-19 shut down.

Mrs. Caruthers was a member of the First Baptist Church in Lamar and YAH Crafters. Her hobbies included quilting, sewing, crocheting, embroidery, gardening and canning and teaching the grandchildren to cook. She also loved to play FreeCell and solitaire on the IPad, watching Wheel of Fortune, doing word searches and water aerobics. She loved attending sporting events, cheering on her kids, grandkids and great-grandkids. She was an American Red Cross blood donor and had donated 160 units (20 gallon) over her lifetime.