Ruth Ann Poteete

Ruth Ann Poteete, 84, of Carterville, passed away Tuesday, December 13, 2022, at Herrin Hospital.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Monday, December 19, 2022, at Crainville Baptist Church, with Rev. Cody Knapik officiating. Burial will be in Hillcrest Cemetery in Carterville. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Monday, at the Church.

Memorial contributions can be made to Crainville Baptist Church or to the Kidney Foundation.

Ruth Ann was born May 27, 1938, in Carterville, to Woodroe and Ruth Mary (Reuscher) Chamness. She married Carol “Crack” D. Poteete on April 4, 1957, in Carterville. He preceded her in death on February 18, 2010.

She is survived by her daughters, Caryl Poteete of DeSoto, and Lyn Bain of Crainville; her precious granddaughter, Madison Bain of Herrin; sister, Mary Lou (Hobart) Brown of Cambria; sisters-in-law, Joyce Carney of Carterville, and Jean Claunch of New Athens; brother-in-law Don Poteete of Pompano Beach, Florida; and several nieces and nephews.

Ruth Ann was preceded in death by her parents; husband; aunt and uncle, Clara (Cleve) Rich who helped raise her; in-laws, Carl (Ruby) Poteete; and sister-in-law, June Horsely.

She began her career as a teacher in 1972, serving 28 years as a second-grade teacher at Carterville Intermediate School, retiring in 2000. Ruth Ann was born to be a teacher. She loved all of her students like her own children. It was not uncommon to run into past students and hear them claim that “Mrs. Poteete was my favorite teacher”. Ruth Ann was also known to help students and parents with anything they needed outside of the classroom, even purchasing a refrigerator for a family. Ruth Ann also mentored numerous new teachers who came to work at Carterville. She loved sharing ideas and helping guide them through their many questions and concerns. She loved her co-workers and helping them in any way necessary.

When Caryl and Lyn were younger, Ruth Ann helped her husband, Crack, coach youth softball. Crack was in charge of coaching and Ruth Ann kept score. They coached together for many years. Crack and Ruth Ann’s teams were always competitive, and every girl always wanted to be a member of their team.

Ruth Ann was a faithful member of Crainville Baptist Church for over 50 years. She was very active and served many roles within the church- from teaching Sunday School and Bible School, to volunteering as a Youth leader, to singing in the choir.

She was also a talented seamstress who enjoyed sewing, quilting, crocheting, and knitting. Her favorite past time was making Christmas ornaments. All year she would work on these keepsakes to hand out to every person she could find. The joy she passed on with these ornaments is nothing compared to the joy received in making them and passing them on the people.

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