August 1, 1932 – October 13, 2022
SAINT JO – Annie Ruth Mitchell, 90, passed away on Oct. 13, 2022 in Decatur.
A funeral service led by Pastor Mark McBride and Gerre Joiner was on Oct. 17 at the First Baptist Church of Saint Jo.
Annie Ruth was born to Claud and Martha McMahan Baker on Aug. 1, 1932 in the Dye Mound area of Montague County. She was one of seven siblings. Annie Ruth married Loyd Daile Mitchell on July 10, 1953 in Saint Jo. Together, they had three children. He preceded her in death on April 27, 2006.
Annie Ruth graduated from Saint Jo High School in 1950. She attended North Texas State College (now the University of North Texas), where she earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees. She also completed coursework in pursuit of a Ph.D. in education from Texas Woman’s University.
She was a teacher in school districts throughout Montague County for nearly 40 years, retiring from Saint Jo Independent School District in 1995. Annie Ruth spent most of her career teaching kindergarten and special education. She received multiple awards and recognitions, including the Outstanding Teacher award from the Council for Exceptional Children in 1984. Her dedication to Saint Jo ISD and her love of her students led her to help with numerous school organizations, including serving as cheerleader sponsor, class sponsor and Special Olympics sponsor, as well as helping with many other district activities.
Annie Ruth was a member of the First Baptist Church in Saint Jo where she was involved in various ministries such as Sunday school, GAs, Vacation Bible School and Camp Copass. She enjoyed listening to gospel and country music. She also loved family vacations to Branson, MO, the Grand Canyon and Colorado, often balancing these trips with her husband’s oilfield work schedule. She enjoyed hobbies such as crocheting and knitting, creating various pieces for friends and family.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; brothers, James Wilson Baker and Claude Baker; sister, Dellie Baker and granddaughter, Melissa Norseworthy.
She is survived by her sisters, Bernice Southerland, Duncan, OK and Martha Curtis (Craig), Fritch, TX; brother, Tom Baker (Linda), Gainesville; daughters, Daifletta Norseworthy, Saint Jo and Cecelia McCuistion (Marty), Lake Kiowa; son, Nathan Mitchell (Melissa), Decatur; grandchildren, John Daile and Christopher McCuistion, Lake Kiowa, Stephanie Norseworthy, Saint Jo and Maci Talley (David), Denton and one great-grandchild, Natalia Norseworthy, Saint Jo.
Memorials are suggested to Saint Jo ISD.
Arrangements entrusted to Scott Funeral Home of Saint Jo.

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