Dr. Ada L. "Dottie" Cruce, 92, of Cape Girardeau died Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2020, at Chateau Girardeau Health Center.

She was born Nov. 8, 1927, in Walnut Ridge, Arkansas, to J.D. and Elsie Tillman Cruce.

She was a professor at Southeast Missouri State University and retired emeritus.

She was a founding member of the Women's Safe House in Cape Girardeau, chairwoman of the State Board of Psychology, member of Cape Girardeau Health Board, member of Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority and longtime board member of Community Counseling Center. She was a volunteer at Southeast Hospital.

Dottie was an avid animal lover, especially her cats, and loved traveling the world.

She was a member of Centenary United Methodist Church.

Survivors include her daughter, Debbie (Mark) Bradley of Cape Girardeau; son, David (Melisa) Cruce Mast of Paducah, Kentucky; and grandchildren, Lindsay Batts and Ashleigh Mast, both of Paducah.

She was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Maxine Cruce.

Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to noon Thursday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau.

Funeral will follow at noon Thursday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Dr. Barry Winders officiating. Burial will be at Cayce Methodist Church Cemetery in Cayce, Kentucky.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the Dr. Ada Lou Cruce Endowed Scholarship, One University Plaza, MS 7300, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701.

Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.