Mary Ruth Alderson

Mary Ruth Alderson, 98, of Jonesboro, formerly of Stuttgart passed away Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026, at Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro.

She was born Aug. 24, 1927, in Stuttgart to Clyde and Mary Oza Ward. She was a 1945 graduate of Stuttgart High School and a bookkeeper. She was a member of First United Methodist Church in Jonesboro.

Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Howard Bannister Alderson; sister, Irma Ann Watt; in-laws, Howard M. and Lena Alderson; and grandson, Jeffery Scott.

Survivors are sons, Morgan Alderson (Melinda) and David Alderson (Maurie) of Stuttgart; daughters, Nancy Wagner (Jim) and Susan Scott of Jonesboro; seven grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; lifelong friends, Margaret Ann and Harry Beck families; and nieces and nephews.

The family would like to offer special thanks to the staff at St. Bernard Village, St. Bernard Villa and Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House for their loving care of our mother.

Visitation will be 2 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 22, at Turpin Funeral Home until the service time at 3 p.m.

The family requests memorials be made to Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House, 1148 E. Matthews, Jonesboro, Ark. 72401; or First United Methodist Church, 801 S. Main, Jonesboro, Ark. 72401.