Ruth May Neighbour, 94

She was born June 12, 1909 in Shamokin, Pennsylvania where she was raised and graduated from Shamokin High School with the class of 1927. She made her home in Elyria for four years prior to residing in Amherst from 1967 to June 1978. She has been a resident of Houston, Texas since June 1978 before moving to Cuyahoga Falls two and one half years ago.

Mrs. Neighbour and her husband Rev. Ralph W. Neighbour served the Lord pasturing five Baptist Churches and traveled in evangelistic work and Bible Conferences. The last pastorate was the Church of the Open Door in Elyria which Dr. Neighbour founded and pastured for twenty-one years. During that time, Mrs. Neighbour managed the former Morning Sunshine Book Store in Elyria for ten years. She was also hostess for six tours to Europe and the Middle East.

Her great joy was being a helpmeet and supporter to her husband in his many endeavors including his fifty-year radio program, Radio Sunshine.

Survivors include her sons: Dr. Ralph W. Neighbour, Jr., of Houston, Texas, and David E. Neighbour of Akron; her daughter Carol Jane Stevens of Mesquite, Texas; nine grandchildren; fourteen great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband of seventy-two years, Rev. Ralph W. Neighbour, D.D. on November 5, 2000; by her parents Homer Alvin and Carrie Ada Zimmerman (nee: Kehler); and by her brother Roy Zimmerman and by her sister Mary Derk.

Friends may call Sunday, July 27, 2003 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Hemple Funeral Home; 373 Cleveland Avenue, Amherst. Funeral services will be held Monday, July 28, 2003 at 10:00 a.m. from the funeral home with her sons, Dr. Ralph W. Neighbour Jr. and David E. Neighbour, officiating. Burial will be in Ridge Hill Memorial Park, Amherst Township.