JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Karen Joy Grace, 59, of Jefferson City died Tuesday, March 11, 2003, at The Villa Maria Nursing Center in Jefferson City.

She was born Jan. 13, 1944, daughter of John Wesley and Edna Mae Nobles Ridlen.

She graduated summa cum laude from Southeast Missouri State University in 1978 and completed a graduate masters degree with academic distinction in 1981. She was a member of Phi Alpha Theta, Honors History Society, served on the Missouri Main Street Advisory Board, Lewis & Clark Commission, was a MORAGE board member, Missouri Alliance for Preservation, Archaeology Challenge-Alan Banks, Underground Railroad, Missouri State Fair, Harrisonville Courthouse Square project, Women's History Month, Tax Credit Review & Technical Assistance, Historic Schools Project, Missouri Heritage Curriculum Videos & Preservation Issues, honorary member of the Garden Club in Jefferson City.

From 1981 to 1985, she was an American history instructor with Southeast Missouri State University. Since 1985, she had been education coordinator with the State of Missouri Department of Natural Resources historic preservation program.

She is survived by her mother of Jefferson City; a son, Martin Grace Jr., of Cape Girardeau; a daughter, Stephanie McCutcheon of Cape Girardeau; a brother, Roger Ridlen of Fairdealing, Mo.; three grandchildren, two step-grandchildren; and two step-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her father.

Entombment will be in Memorial Park Mausoleum in Cape Girardeau.

Announcement courtesy of Ford & Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home.