Ruth Ella Massey (Smyer), 88, daughter of Rufus Montana Smyer and Justina (Tiney May) Varnell Smyer, died peacefully at her home in Houston, Mo., Sunday, June 22, 2014.
Ruth was preceded in death by her husband Dearl Massey, daughter Derith Ann Hurst and 11 brothers and sisters.
She is survived by her grandchildren, Keeli Hurst Hyde and Shane Hurst; her great-grandchildren, Lilyanna Hyde and Chase Hurst; and her sister, Ruby Mires.
Ruth was born Oct. 4, 1925, on Nubbin Ridge in Texas County, Mo. She moved to the “Holler” at age 1 where she spent her childhood.
Ruth was a graduate of Houston High School. She was very proud of receiving her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education from CMSU while working at the same time. Ruth began her teaching career at age 17 in a two-room school house in Plum Valley, co-teaching with her good friend Sally Pierce. Before ending her 36-year teaching career she taught at # 1, Coffee School, Success, Hickman Mills and Lee’s Summit, Mo. Her teaching awards included Teacher of the Year in each of her school districts.
Ruth married Dearl Massey on March 6, 1948, in Bendavis, Mo. They would spend 63 years together. According to Ruth, even before Dearl’s passing in 2011 they were “still very happy and very much in love.”
She loved gardening and won “Yard of the Month” many times. She devoted her time to reading, writing, Beta Sigma Phi, Retired Teachers and First Christian Church.
Retiring from teaching at age 55, Ruth and Dearl built their own home, returning to their beloved Houston and spending 31 blissful years there. The role model that she portrayed as teacher, wife, mother, grandmother and friend, served to inspire all who knew and loved her.
Ruth had the gift of hospitality. It was her way to always make people feel welcomed and loved in her home.
Her high standards of integrity and ethics created in others a passion to be better human beings. Her love and wisdom will be etched in the minds and hearts of her family forever.
We will truly miss our Nan.
Services were 2 p.m. June 25, at Evans Funeral Home. Pastor David Barbee officiated. Burial was in Bado Cemetery. Pallbearers were Shane Hurst, Steve Hurst, Kendell Clarkston, Gary Massey, Bud Evans, John Mires, Don Massey and Dennis Bartlett. The family requests in lieu of flowers memorial donations be made to Houston Education Foundation for the new HHS Library, P.O. Box 102, Houston, Mo. Online condolences may be sent to www.evansfh.com
Services were under the direction of Evans Funeral Home.
PAID