Ruth Anna McKenzie

Ruth Anna McKenzie, age 103, passed from this life into the arms of Jesus on Tuesday, August 17, 2021, at Beth Haven Nursing Home in Hannibal, Missouri where she had lived for the past 13 years.  She was so loving and caring, if you knew her, you loved her.

A graveside service will be Saturday, August 21, 2021, at 2:00 p.m. at Elmwood Cemetery in Linneus. There is no scheduled visitation. Services are under the direction of Wright Funeral Home in Brookfield.

Memorials to Meadville R-IV School or Elmwood Cemetery may be left at or mailed to Wright Funeral Home, P.O. Box 496, Brookfield, MO 64628.

Ruthie, as she was affectionately known by the caring staff at Beth Haven Nursing Home, was born the daughter of Orra and Anna (Hedges) Smith February 10, 1918, in Purdin.  On December 4, 1934, she was united in marriage to James Pershing (J.P.) McKenzie in Linneus with Pastor H.B. Corbin officiating.  Ruth was a member of the  Purdin Church of Christ, where she taught children’s Sunday School classes for many years until moving from the area.

While J.P. served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, Ruth served by working at Pratt & Whitney Ammunitions Plant in Kansas City, Missouri.  After the war the couple purchased a farm north of the Meadville community where they spent the next several years.  They sold the farm in 1958 and moved to Purdin, where they owned and operated the Cabin in the Valley Restaurant, located on Highway 36 between Meadville and Laclede.  After selling The Cabin in the Valley Restaurant, Ruth attended cosmetology school and opened her own beauty salon in Purdin.  In her later years, Ruth moved to Hannibal, to be closer to her son.

Survivors include, a daughter-in-law, Pamela McKenzie; five grandchildren, Lori McKenzie, Lana Bogeart and husband, Mike, Lane McKenzie and wife, Kristi, Marie Scheuring and husband, Keith, and Virginia Rash; 11 great-grandchildren, Brittany & Jadon McKenzie, Eric Hall, Phoebe Dowell, Natasha Usey, Zachary, Jeffery, Zoe & Hailey Scheuring, Kyle McKenzie, and Suzanne Rash; a great great-granddaughter, Lennox Hall; Melvin Ensor and Roger Hutchinson, who considered Ruth as their grandmother; and several nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

Ruth was preceded in death by her husband, J.P. McKenzie; two sons, James E. McKenzie, and Jeffery McKenzie; a daughter-in-law, Phyllis Colleen McKenzie; and an infant daughter, Anna Maude McKenzie.

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