Ruth Alieene Mathis age 102, of Springfield, Missouri passed away at 11:35 pm on Monday, January 10, 2022; just 26 days shy of her 103rd birthday.  She was born on February 6,1919 in Crane, Missouri to parents Arley and Auda (Ellis) Williams.  Alieene had a green thumb and enjoyed flower gardening. She was an avid shopper and collector of all things collectible.  Alieene took pride in supporting higher education throughout her husband, Dr. Max Mathis' tenure as a professor of education at Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kansas.  Together they sponsored and supported numerous foreign exchange students by welcoming them into their home just as if they were family.  Together they traveled the world, and never met a stranger.  Before a polio vaccine was available, Alieene survived infection as a child, permanently losing the function of her right arm to the disease. She was witness to the Great Depression, WWII, the Assassination of JFK, the first moon landing, 9-11, 19 U.S. Presidential administrations, two pandemics, and all of the joys and sorrows that unfolded in between.  She was a loyal sports fan and rarely missed an MSU or St. Louis Cardinals baseball game.

She died in a world where many of her fellow Americans refused to follow science, get vaccinated, or wear a simple piece of cloth on their face to protect one another.  Her death was in a room not her own, being cared for by people dressed in confusing and frightening personal protective equipment (GOD BLESS THEM ALL).  Her final days, weeks, and months were harder, scarier, and lonelier than necessary.  She was not able to be surrounded by friends or family, although the care she received at Glendale Gardens Skilled Nursing was exemplary and under extraordinary circumstances, because of the overwhelmingly ignorant, self-serving, and hedonistic actions of defeated former president Donald Trump, Missouri Governor Mike Parson and the majority of a political party that believes their selfish perception of individual rights and greed are more important than protecting the health and well-being of their fellow citizens and causing the senseless deaths of over five million innocent people from Covid-19.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Billy Max Mathis; son, William Harold Northcutt; two sisters and one brother.  She is survived by her only grandchild, Sean Mathis Northcutt and daughter-in-law, Judith Northcutt, both of Springfield, Missouri.

A private service was held for family in an effort to help slow the spread of Covid-19.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in her name to Shriner's Hospital for Children, St. Louis, Missouri.