Ruby Ellouise (Smyer) Mires, 92, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, friend and educator, passed away in Independence, Mo., on April 23, 2016. Ruby was the daughter of Rufus Montana and Justina Mae (Varnell) Smyer and was the 11th of 13 children in a loving Christian family. She was born on July 8, 1923.
Ruby and Marshall A. Mires were married March 1, 1947 in Seymour, Mo., and had four children, Marsha, George, John and Jane. They were married for 59 years. They began their lives together on the Lone Star Farm just past Dogs Bluff on Highway 17, where they owned and managed a Grade A dairy operation. Ruby and Marshall spent most of their lives in Texas County, but lived a number of years away from Houston primarily in Florissant, Mo., where Marshall was a district manager for Chevron and Ruby taught fifth grade at Halls Ferry Elementary School.
Earlier in life, Ruby taught at several one-room schools in Texas County. One summer she managed to get a job as “Rosie the Riveter” supporting the WWII efffort. Then after marriage she completed her college education at Central Missouri State University in 1960 with a degree in education. She taught at public schools in Houston and Florissant, Mo., and finally retired in 1983 from Houston R-1 Schools. They lived in Houston from 1980 until Marshall passed in 2006, after which Ruby moved to Saint Charles and Independence to be with her family. Their 26 years of retirement in Houston were happy ones as members of the United Methodist Church and so many family and friends nearby.
She was preceded by her parents and 12 brothers and sisters.
Surviving are two sons and two daughters, George (Sammy) Mires of Springfield, Mo., John (Mary) Mires of Saint Charles, Mo., Marsha (Jim) Powell-Vaugn of Lee’s Summit, Mo., and Jane (Randy) Neely of Blue Springs, Mo. Ruby is also survived by 12 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.
Visitation is 10-11 a.m. Thursday, April 28, 2016, at Evans Funeral Home with services beginning at 11 a.m. in the chapel with Pastor David Barbee officiating. Burial will be in Pine Lawn Cemetery under the direction of Evans Funeral Home. Pallbearers are Caleb Mires, Brian Mires, Brandon Mires, Jesse Evans, John and Jeff Vannoy.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimers Association. Online condolences may be made at www.evansfh.com.
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