Martha Louise Caruthers

Martha "Louise" Caruthers, age 100, of Lamar, Missouri passed away September 16, 2023, surrounded by family.
 
Louise was born July 14, 1923 in Lamar, MO., to Roy Robert Selvey and Essie Florence (McManis) Selvey. Louise attended Ozark Country School through the eighth grade and then  graduated from Lamar High School in the class of 1941. On May 6, 1945, Louise married Orville Thomas Caruthers in Lamar, MO.
 
Louise 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 Truman's Birthplace for 23 years and only stopped due to the COVID-19 shut down. Louise 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. Louise 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.

Survivors include two sons, Richard (Carol) Caruthers of Rockport, Texas and Tom (Brenda) Caruthers of Lamar, MO; one daughter, Karen (Dale) Nims of Lamar, MO., and one daughter-in-law, Cathy Caruthers of Lamar, MO; 12 grandchildren; Chad Caruthers, Cara (Marco) Villar, Tanina Torbeck, Mindy (Casey) Greene, Raeann (Preston) Eidson, Jeremy Caruthers, Matthew (April) Caruthers, Monica (Josh) Willis, Adam Nims, Kelli Nims, Christopher (Cheriese) Nims and Blaine (Elizabeth) Nims; 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 (Cori) Caruthers, Courtney Caruthers, Darin Caruthers, Lexi Moore, Chloe Moore, Judah Nims, Jonah Nims, Jordan Nims, Carson Nims; one great-great grandchild, Brooks Caruthers and one baby coming soon; two brothers, Don (Thelma) Selvey, Carl (Beverly) Selvey; and one sister-in-law, Donna Selvey.

Louise was preceded in death by her husband, Orville, her parents, 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; two sisters, Helen Carr and Lorene Norwood. 
 
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, September 21,2023 at the First Baptist Church in Lamar, MO., with burial to follow at Memory Gardens Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, September 20, 2023 at Daniel Funeral Home. 

Contributions are suggested and made payable to either the Alzheimer's Association or American Heart Association in care of Daniel Funeral Home.
 
Condolences may be shared at www.dfhlamar.com