Ruth Collier (Lebanon)'s Obituary
Ruth Williams Collier, daughter of John Riley and Roxie Ann Neasby Williams, was born July 15, 1925, near Lebanon, Missouri. She departed this life October 31, 2016, in Lebanon North Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, in Lebanon, Missouri, at the age of ninety-one years, three months, and sixteen days.
On August 19, 1952, in Taylor Avenue Church of God in Lebanon, she was united in marriage to Joseph Franklin Collier, and to this union three daughters and one son were born.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Joe, on December 31, 1987; and a grandson, Jason Rodden.
Ruth is survived by three daughters, Linda Graham, and her husband, Randall, Kathy Rodden, and her husband, Jimmie, and Mary Ann Randall, and her husband, Mark, all of Lebanon, Missouri; a son, Kent Collier, of Gladstone, Missouri; eight grandchildren; seventeen great-grandchildren; as well as a host of other relatives and friends.
She was born and raised in the Lebanon area and graduated from Lebanon High School in the Class of 1943. Ruth began working in tax preparation for the Bradshaw Field Law Office in Lebanon for a few years. After she and Joe were married, they made their home in Lebanon until moving to Riverside, Missouri in 1959. While living there, Ruth worked as the Riverside City Clerk for several years. In 1975, the family returned to Lebanon and Ruth and Joe lovingly continued to raise their family. She continued to work in tax preparation throughout the years.
Ruth made her profession of faith in Christ early in her life and was an active member of Park Hill Baptist Church in Kansas City while they lived in Riverside. She had worked in GA’s, RA’s, and helped with a church plant in Waldron, Missouri in the early 1970’s. She was a longtime active member of Hillcrest Baptist Church where she was involved in all aspects of church work, including the W.M.U. and as a Sunday school teacher. She also worked at the Laclede Baptist Camp and did a mission trip to Wyoming when she was seventy-two years old.
She had been involved in the Parent Teacher Association when her children were in school. She enjoyed gardening, and sewing in her spare time. Her family was very important to her and she especially enjoyed her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Ruth was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and was a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate her life and her accomplishments and know that her family and friends will cherish the wonderful memories she created for them during her lifetime.
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