Ruth Perry's Obituary
The H.T. May and Son Funeral Home announces with sorrow the transition of Mrs. Ruth Perry, 75, of Boonville from labor to reward on Tuesday, June 18, 2013 at University of Missouri Hospital. Funeral services will be held on Friday June 21, 2013 at 2 pm at St. Matthews AME Church in Boonville. Visitation will be held from 12-2 pm at the church.
Ruth was born to Jesse Cornelious and Harriett Irene Lucas on February 24, 1938 in Sweet Springs, Missouri. She was the youngest of seven children including her sisters, Jessie C. Barner (Frank), Irene Coleman (Amos), Maxine Burnham (Zane) and her brother Donald Lucas (Barbara).
She began her educational journey in Sweet Springs where she attended Brown School. As her family moved she continued her education at Douglass High in Lexington, Missouri; Odessa High in Odessa, Missouri and at Laura Speed Elliott High in Boonville, Missouri. After starting a family, she returned to school and received an Associate of Arts degree with honors from Kemper Military College in 1984. She then enrolled at the University of Missouri-Columbia where her 3.65 grade point average yielded a recruitment offer from NASA. Ruth’s commitment to caring for her family and loved ones halted her plans for completing her Bachelor’s degree when she assumed care and responsibility for her ailing father.
Ruth started work at a very young age. At age 13, she was an assistant to a physician which led to her obtaining certification as a home health provider. She was the first black woman to work at McGraw Edison Manufacturing at the Morgan Street Location in the 1960’s. She was the Manager at the Bobber Restaurants in Boonville, Missouri. Her last position prior to retirement was as a Teacher’s Aide and Bus Monitor for the Head Start program in Boonville, Missouri.
She became a member of the Methodist Church as a child. She moved to Boonville, Missouri in 1956 and she became a member of St Matthew’s AME Church where she was active until her passing. Her passion and love of the church led her to serve and hold a variety of positions: Usher Board President, Steward, Trustee Pro Tem and Stewardess of the Francis S. Patterson Missionary Society. One part of her church service that she cherished was organizing the annual outreach luncheon for the Boonville Prison Ministry.
The holidays were very special to her and she shared her Christmas spirit by baking and delivering Christmas goodies to loved ones, family and friends, a ritual she performed for many years. She volunteered her time for her community by serving as the President of Cemetery Board. She was PTO President of the Dorothy S. Cline State School and she worked tirelessly on behalf of the disabled children of the local area – establishing their first prom, securing a flag pole for the front of the school and fighting imminent closure which would have resulted in bussing of the students. She fought to maintain a local school for the disabled children of the Boonville area.
Ruth is preceded in death by her husband William D. Perry, parents, brothers and sisters, and her three sons, Layne, Brian and Antonio. She is survived by her three daughters, Sherri Lucas (Bob Putnam) of St. Louis, Missouri, Percrecia “Credie” Eubanks of Olathe, Kansas and Lolita Lucas-Howard of Boonville, Missouri and three grandchildren, Hannah Eubanks, Sean Eubanks and Paris Pipes and a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.
“Mama, you will forever be remembered and celebrated in our hearts and in our lives and your love will continue to shine through us.
We love you Mom! Sherri, Credie and Lolita
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