Rua Headley (Lebanon)'s Obituary
Rua Ruth Cunningham Headley, daughter of John Eaton and Bessie Alma Tracy Cunningham, was born February 14, 1923, in Embree, Missouri. She departed this life Monday, January 21, 2013, in Christian Health and Rehabilitation Center North, in Lebanon, Missouri, at the age of eighty-nine years, eleven months, and seven days.
On August 12, 1948, she was united in marriage to Tommy J. Headley, and to this union one daughter and two sons were born.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of fifty-eight years, Tommy, in 2007; an infant son, David Headley; a great-granddaughter, Madyson Williams; three sisters, Mary Goldsmith, Edith Gay Bates, and her twin, Ruth Hurley; and triplet infant siblings.
Rua is survived by a son, Teddy J. Headley, of Blue Springs, Missouri; a daughter, Paula R. Headley, of Manes, Missouri; seven grandchildren, Rhonda McCoy, of Springfield, Missouri, Sharon Myler, of Lebanon, Missouri, Garry B. Williams, of Conway, Missouri, Kristen Sheppard, of Vanzant, Missouri, John Graham Headley, of Manhattan, Kansas, Sarah English, of Fort Meade, Maryland, and Holly Headley, of Higginsville, Missouri; nineteen great-grandchildren, Robert, Robin, Rodney, Riley, Ryan, Elizabeth, Addison, Dalton, Austin, Olyvia, Elyse, Gabriel, Tyler, Tyson, Olivia, Wyatt, Elijah, Zaylee, and Addisyn; several nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other relatives and friends.
Rua was raised in the Manes, Missouri area. She spent many years raising her family and caring for her and Tommy’s home. In 1970, she and Tommy moved to Raytown, Missouri, where they worked doing maintenance and custodial work for the school system, until retiring and returning to Manes in 1987.
Rua professed her faith in Christ early in her life, and served Him all of her days. She faithfully attended church as long as she was able and taught children’s Sunday school classes for many years. She had also played the piano for her church.
She loved to work around her home and spent many hours gardening and canning. She also made many repairs in and around her home. As her husband often said, “If Rua can’t fix it, it isn’t broke”. She also gave singing and piano lessons and always loved music.
Most of all, Rua, or “Unma” as she was called by her grandchildren, loved spending time with her family and passed on her love for the Lord in everything she did.
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