Ruth D. Roderick

Ruth Delight Roderick, 91 of Kirksville passed away Tuesday
(December 21, 2010) at Twin Pines Adult Care Center. Ruth had been a
resident of Twin Pines Adult Care Center for the last year and a half
where they cared for her deeply.
The daughter of Paul and Bertha Gordon Stith, she was born
November 1, 1919 in Holiday, Missouri. She attended school in
Madison, MO, graduating as valedictorian from Madison High School in
1938. Later that year she taught rural school in Monroe County. On
August 31, 1940 she married Dr. John R. Roderick. The first years of
their marriage were memorably spent in St. Louis at Scott Air Force
Base where John served during WW II. Ruth attended Northeast Missouri
State Teachers College and graduated in 1947 with a degree in
Business. After finishing her formal education, she was a homemaker.
In 1966 she opened a retail store that specialized in fine gifts, on
the square in Kirksville, The Royale Shoppe, that she ran from its
inception until she closed its doors in 1986.
Ruth was an active member of the First Christian Church where she
faithfully served as a Sunday school teacher and joyfully attended
Christian Womens Fellowship. She also enjoyed gardening, cooking,
reading and sewing. All will remember Ruth by her selfless gentle
spirit. Nobody has known someone as genuine and thoughtful as Ruth
Roderick. She was a great wife, mother, and grandmother—she truly
defined the Proverbs 31 woman. Her favorite times were those when she
was surrounded by family. Though the final years of her life were met
with the challenges of dementia, it never broke her spirit or faith.
Ruth is survived by her loving husband of 70 years, Dr. John R.
Roderick; two daughters, Betty Bohon and husband Rick of Columbia, MO
and Jeannie Lucas and husband John of Columbia, MO; five
grandchildren, Miki, Tiffany and Nate Bohon, Johnny Lucas and wife
Beau and Brian Lucas all of Columbia, MO.
She was preceded in death by her parents, daughter, Marjorie
Roderick Bard, three sisters (Helen, Pauline and Lillian) and two
brothers (Ernest and Paul). She is also survived by many wonderful
nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Visitation with the family will be from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m.
Thursday, December 23, 2010 at Davis-Playle-Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home,
followed by the funeral service at 2:00 p.m., with Reverend Steve
McDuff officiating and Janice Legg. Burial immediately following the
ceremony will be in Highland Park Cemetery in Kirksville.
Pallbearers will be Johnny Lucas (grandson), Brian Lucas
(grandson), Nate Bohon (grandson), Glenn Turner (nephew), Larry Turner
(nephew) and Danny Stith (nephew).
Memorial contributions for the First Christian Church Disciples
of Christ in Kirksville may be left at Davis-Playle-Hudson-Rimer
Funeral Home.

Davis-Playle-Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home
2100 E. Shepherd Ave.
Kirksville, MO 63501 660-665-2233