Mary Belle Ketchum

11:00 AM Wed. October 23, 2013 at the Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church with Bro. John Spradling officiating. Interment will follow at the Ringling Memorial Cemetery of Ringling. Services are under the direction and care of Alexander Funeral Home of Ringling.

Mary Belle was born March 20, 1929 at Haywood, OK to the late Mr. Elmer Elbert Provence and Mrs. Merna Marie (Windle) Provence. She was called home to be with her Lord on Saturday, October 19, 2013 at her home in Ringling.

The family moved to Jefferson County in 1930 where Mary Belle attended school. She graduated from Ringling School in 1946. She worked as telephone operator her senior year in high school. She also became a hair stylist before finally deciding to go back to school. She graduated with a degree in medical technology from Pasteur Institute of St. Louis, MO. In 1955 she returned to Ringling to work at Husky Clinic where she met the love of her life, Mr. Richard Fred Ketchum. They were united in marriage on March 14, 1956 at the First Baptist Church in Texarkana, TX. Mary Belle resumed her work and Richard farmed. They were blessed with two children, Kathy Sue Ketchum and Richard Keith Ketchum.

They moved to Savannah, MO and Mary Belle worked at the St. Joseph State Hospital. They raised their children there until 1973 when they returned to Ringling. They moved to Wichita Falls in 1975. They lived and worked in several states before returning back to Jefferson County. They eventually bought a home in Cornish where they retired. Mary Belle loved to read, knit, and cook. Her family especially liked her homemade hot rolls and her Cherry Delight.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Richard Ketchum and Children, Kathy and Keith Ketchum; Brothers, Elmer A. Provence and George Provence and Sister, Marvella Davis.

Survivors include her grandchildren, Megan Moffett of Chico, CA, Lindsay Moffett of Vacaville, CA, Elizabeth Moffett of Chico, CA and Wade Moffett of Chico, CA; Sister Millie Reinhardt and husband Jess of Ringling; Brother, Roy Provence and wife Tressa of Ringling; Sisters in law, Linda Provence of Marlow and Christine Schulte of Sterling; Brother in law, Doyle Davis of Wichita Falls, TX; numerous other family members and friends as well as her dog, Ozzie.

Family visitation will be held from 6-8 pm Tuesday evening at the funeral home in Ringling.

Condolences may be shared online at www.alexanderfuneralhome.org