Ruth Virginia Dowdell, 86, of Woodlawn, Illinois passed away at 4:56 P.M. on Saturday, October 31, 2010 at Mt. Vernon Countryside Manor in Mt. Vernon, Illinois. Ruth was born on Tuesday, January 15, 1924 in Mt. Vernon, Illinois the daughter of the late Andrew Jackson "Jack" and Nellie Mae (Wheeler) Black. She married Kenneth Dowdell on October 18, 1942 in Mt. Vernon, Illinois and he preceded her in death on May 17, 1993. Surviving family members include her 4 daughters: Jean Bailey and husband Jerry of Woodlawn, Illinois, Marilyn Kay Williams of Woodlawn, Illinois, Jacqueline sue Starmann of Joliet, Illinois and Virginia Dowdell of Mt. Vernon, Illinois; 2 brothers: Kenneth Black and wife Shirley of Mt. Vernon, Illinois and Ray Black and wife Joan of Mt. Vernon, Illinois; 2 sisters: Dorothy Ross of South Easton, Massachusetts and Helen Gill of South Easton, Massachusetts; 13 grandchildren; 24 great grandchildren; 2 great great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews also survive. Her parents, husband, one great granddaughter, one infant brother and one son-in-law: Andy Williams preceded her in death. Ruth worked at the Mt. Vernon Shoe Factory and later was a cook at Rusty Cafe in Mt. Vernon, Illinois, was a member of Delta Theta Tau Sorority, the American Legion Auxiliary, the Order of the Eastern Star and was of the Nazarene faith. VISITATION: will be held from 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. on Tuesday, November 2, 2010 at Hughey Funeral Home in Mt. Vernon, Illinois. FUNERAL SERVICES: will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Tuesday, November 2, 2010 in the chapel at Mt. Vernon Memorial Gardens in Woodlawn, Illinois. Mr. Tanner Green will officiate. INTERMENT: Mt. Vernon Memorial Gardens in Woodlawn, Illinois. For those who wish, memorials may be given to Delta Theta Tau Sorority or West Long Prairie Christian Church and will be accepted at the funeral home or mailed to Hughey Funeral Home, P.O. Box 721, Mt. Vernon, Illinois 62864.