Ruth Russell

CHARLESTON, Mo. -- Ruth Ann Ashby Russell, 79, of Columbia, Mo., formerly of Charleston, died at 7 a.m. Tuesday, May 14, 2002, in Pleasant Hill, Mo.

She was born Sept. 28, 1922, in Charleston, daughter of Frank Kelly and Effie Mai Anderson Ashby. A 1944 graduate of Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau (known then as Cape State), she spent 14 years as a naval wife.

A faithful and supportive companion to her husband, she spent 14 years as the chancellor's wife of the University of Missouri at Kansas City and then five years as president's wife of the University of Missouri at Columbia as he served in the University of Missouri system.

She was a member of Missouri United Methodist Church in Columbia, an active member of Kings Daughters, and was an avid bridge player. She loved duplicate bridge and had achieved the level of life master through competitive play.

She and George Albert Russell were married Nov. 11, 1944. He survives of the home.

Also surviving are three sons and daughters-in-law, George Albert and Patricia Russell III of Macomb, Ill., Frank Ashby and Linda Russell of Des Moines, Iowa, Cramer Anderson and DeAun Russell of Lees Summit, Mo.; a daughter and son-in-law, Ruth Ann and Darrell Vaughn of Pleasant Hill; 15 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

A brother, Roderic Ashby, preceded her in death.

Friends may call from 11 a.m. until the funeral hour at 1 p.m. Friday, May 17, 2002, at McMikle Funeral Home in Charleston. The Rev. Richard Combs, a United Methodist minister of Jackson, Mo., will officiate.

Interment will be in IOOF Cemetery near Charleston under the direction of McMikle Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be Jeff Vaughn, Alex Russell, Thomas Russell, Kelly Russell, Bert Russell and Corey Paul.

A memorial service and reception for friends will also be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 19, 2002, at Missouri United Methodist Church in Columbia, with the Rev. Jim Bryan, pastor, officiating.

Memorials may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation (JDF), 6701 W. 64th Street, Shawnee Mission, Kan. 66202.