Ruth Marie "Ree" McElvaney (Lebanon)'s Obituary
Ruth Marie "Ree" McElvaney, daughter of W. L. “Bill” and Clara B. Peterson Harrill, was born August 29, 1940, in Lebanon, Missouri. She departed this life Saturday, January 25, 2020, in her home, near Lebanon, Missouri, at the age of seventy-nine years, four months, and twenty-seven days.
On July 23, 1960, she was united in marriage to Bobby L. McElvaney, and to this union one daughter and one son were born.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a son, Randy McElvaney, in 1993; a son-in-law, Don Ogle, Jr.; a brother, Tommy Harrill; and a sister, Peggy Harrill Palmer.
Ruth is survived by her loving husband of fifty-nine years, Bobby, of the home; a daughter Cindy Ogle Payne, and her husband, Brian, of Lebanon, Missouri; five grandchildren, Ashley Sicard, and her husband, Chad, Josh Ogle, and his wife, Ashley, Lindsay Lafferty, and her husband, Shane, Levi McElvaney, and his wife, Brooke, and Andrew McElvaney, and his wife, Marissa; nine great-grandchildren, Britney, Keeley, and Mason Sicard, Even, Brayli, and Addison Ogle, Kadence and Karsyn McElvaney, and Will Lafferty; three brothers, Bill Harrill, and his wife, Vera, Stanley Harrill, and his wife, Debbie, and Howard Harrill, and his wife, Mary Lou, all of Lebanon, Missouri; two sisters, Linda Harrill, of Lebanon, Missouri, and Gloria Lackey, of the State of North Carolina; a number of nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other relatives and friends.
She was born and raised in Lebanon and graduated from Lebanon High School in the Class of 1958. After she and Bobby were married, they lived in various locations, including Germany, while Bobby served in the military. Through the years, Ruth was a devoted homemaker to her husband and family, and supported Bobby in his endeavors as a teacher and minister of Christ.
Ruth accepted Christ as her personal Savior early in her life at Antioch Baptist Church, where she served as the piano player for several years. Later, she and Bobby were youth ministers for a time.
In her spare time she enjoyed playing the piano, working jigsaw puzzles, doing craft projects, quilting, making ceramics, traveling and shopping. She also liked listening to Bluegrass music. She was an excellent cook and enjoyed making special meals for her family and friends. She was fun-loving, but could also be mischievous. Her faith was always at the center of her life along with her family, and she especially enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Ruth was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and was a very caring friend. We celebrate her life and know that her family and friends will hold tight to the wonderful memories she created for them during her lifetime.
Memorial contributions to the American Cancer Society may be made through the funeral home.
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