Last Will & Testament of Stella M. Rice Rue, written 1962
Note: This unprobated holographic manuscript purports to be the last will and testament of Stella Margaret Rice Rue. Toward the end, the language sounds more like a letter to her oldest son, Arthur Harold Rue. It is written in blue ballpoint, in her own hand, on two 5x7" sheets. Page two (not numbered) of four sides is blank, while the other three are filled with small script. It's possible (since page two is not numbered) that there is a page missing. Original in my possession. Posted on the www on October 6, 1997. -TSR

The last Will and Testament
Mrs. Stella Margaret Rue,
2220 Moffett Ave., Joplin, Mo.

June 20, 1962

To my son Robert Albert Rue, 378 Westwind Dr., El Cajon, California I bequeath one dollar ($1.00).
To the Christian Hour Radio Program, Box #100, Cincinatti, Ohio, one hundred dollars ($100.00).
To the Loyal Men and Women's Bible School class of the Villa Hts. Christian Church, Joplin, Mo., one hundred dollars ($100.00).
To F. Wade Bonds, 111 Barbara St., Tallahassee, Florida, one hundred dollars ($100.00). If he is deceased, to his widow, Leitha Rue Bonds.
My personal things and home finishings given and disposed of as directed in a letter written to my only daughter, Mrs. Wade Bonds, whose address is 111 Barbara St., Tallahassee, Florida. I want my home to be sold at 2220 Moffett Ave., Joplin, Mo. and the money used to pay my funeral and burial expenses [crossed out: and buy a marker]. What is left to be divided equally between my five grandsons:
  • Wm. Rue, address, 117 Lysander, Rochester, Michigan.
  • Clyde B. Rue, 314 N. 8th St., Manville, New Jersey.
  • Robert Nelson Rue, 3322 Sherwood Dr., Flint 3, Michigan.
  • James Rue, 11011 Hubbell Rd., Livonia, Michigan
  • Kenneth Rue, 378 Southwest Wind Dr., El Cajon, California.
    and my daughter:
  • Leitha Rue Bonds, 111 Barbara St., Tallahassee, Florida.
    Foster Mays, Stones Corner, North Main St., Joplin Mo., to serve administrator without Bond.
    - 3 -
    Give Clyde the Book, The New Testament Church by Herbert Moninger. If Anna wants the salt and peppers they have given me let her have them. Maybe Patty might want them. I want Anna and Foster to have the glider and chair I have on my front porch. The TV trays are Anna's. Give them to her. Also the picture of Sally taken Christmas 1954. Bless her heart she has so pure. I hope you will always remember how good Anna has always been to you when you were growing up and how sweet and wonderful Foster and her were to your Daddy through all the long years of his illness and to me since I've been so alone so much! helping me through so many dark and lonely times also the wonderful way you and Wade have been to me. My darling and only girl, I pray that you will always be true to your Christ and his Church and not leave and go to denominationalism as my boys have. And my constant prayer in that God through the Holy Spirit will guide and lead them back to the Christ and The Church that they once loved. And I pray God will ever watch over you and Wade and keep you in his tender care throughout your lives. And please pray continually that my precious grand children will study God's word and obey the gospel as taught in it that we all will someday meet together around the great white throne in an unbroken circle whose loved ones have gone before. I do pray that God will forgive me where I have failed him and that I tried to be true to him in my ignorance.

    - over -
    - 4 -
    If there are any of my beads, ear bobs, etc. that you or any of my grand daughters or Opal want, take them. The beautiful pin you and Wade gave me Christmas 1959, you keep! I have enjoyed it so much and cherish it! I suppose you and Opal have watches, so give mine to my first great granddaughter. I bought it. It is a 25 jewel.
    Send my clothes that are good to our Home in St. Louis. The transfer co. at 113 East 9th st. will take them by truck right to the Home. You will find an addressed envelope among my papers in my big suit case. Pack my nice things in it and send it unless Janis wants it. The 2 small ones give to [crossed out: Clyde] and Bob and Bill's little girls for their doll clothes. James Rue is the only one that their Birthstone is the Ruby, same as mine. He could have it. Put in a dinner ring or tie pin. If you want my New Testament and Psalms, I bought since my eyes god bad, it has nice large plain print. You keep it. This is a long letter, my dear, for you to struggle through, but you won't have any more. May God bless and keep you and yours, and save all my loved ones will be my last prayer to my God through my Christ who gave his all for me. Can I do less for Him?
    Love, Mamma
    P.S. If any of my dishes or what not any of my girls want, you, Opal, Ann, Luane, or Beverly take them. Give the coo coo clock, salt and peppers back to Robert that he sent from Germany, if he wants them.