Leota Cruse

Leota Cruse, 91, of Anna, died Sunday, March 31, 2019, at her home. 

She was born on Feb. 8, 1928, near Alto Pass, the daughter of Lola Smith. 

She married Charles Oliver Cruse on Oct. 18, 1947. He preceded her in death on Dec. 28, 2004.

She is survived by her two sons, Gerald “Jerry” (Janet) Cruse and Gaylon C. (Goldie) Cruse, all of Dongola; five grandchildren, Lane (Deanna) Cruse, Leslie (Stanley) Treat, Trenton (Ashley) Cruse, Treena (Joshua) Ditto and Crystal (David) Webb; eight great-grandchildren, Ashton (Jake) Casey, Raegan and Riley Cruse, Dalen and Evan Treat, Jazmin and Jesiah Cruse and Brian Ditto; two great-great grandchildren, Aliyah and Paisley Casey; an aunt, Ida Mae Smith of Anna; a sister-in-law, Barb (Joe) Penrod of Anna; and a brother-in-law, Carl (Lin) Cruse of Elgin. 

She was preceded in death by her mother, Lola Smith; her husband, Charles Oliver Cruse; and one son, Larry Wayne Cruse.

She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Dongola for many years. Her faith was strong; she was a devoted Christian. She loved her family and grandchildren, having everyone together was precious to her. She was a seamstress and loved quilting and embroidering and doing word search puzzles. 

She loved working on the farm with her husband Charles. She took pride raising her boys on the farm, always having a beautiful garden she enjoyed tending to. She retired from the IGA in Anna after more than 20 years as a cashier. 

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, April 5, at Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Jonesboro, with the Rev. Paul Sadler officiating. Interment will be in the Anna Cemetery. 

Friends can call from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, today, at Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Jonesboro. 

Memorials can be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois or to River to River. To view the obituary and to leave online condolences for the family, visit www.rendlemanhilemanfh.com. 

Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Jonesboro is in charge of arrangements.