Ruth Agnes Botts Long died April 29, 2024 at a health care facility in St. Joseph, MO at age 92.
Born October 11, 1931, three miles north of Meadville, MO, she was the fourth child of Elgin M. and June (Brobst) Botts. Ruth subsequently lived in Kansas City, St. Joseph, and Liberty, MO prior to moving to Cameron, MO, in 1967, and then back to St. Joseph in 2010.
Ruth attended Botts School, a one-room grade school close to the Botts farmstead in Linn County, MO. She graduated from Meadville High School in 1949 and in the fall enrolled in the Stenographic and Accounting courses at Chillicothe Business College. She was an honor graduate in 1950 and found employment with Puritan Compressed Gas Corp in Kansas City.
She married Cpl. James C. Long on August 23, 1952. Jim and Ruth had 55 years together before his death in 2007. To this union two children were born: Janet Kaye and James Kenneth.
Ruth subsequently was employed with: Civil Service on the Army Post at El Paso TX; Wire Rope Corporation in St. Joseph; medical offices of Drs. Willoughby & Williams in Liberty, MO; Cameron Mutual Insurance Co. and The Cameron Savings and Loan Assn. in Cameron, MO. She retired December 1, 1993.
Ruth was active in 4-H where she learned to sew and tailor. In 1948, she won a trip to the National 4-H Club Congress in Chicago, IL. She later used these sewing skills to conduct a small custom dressmaking business from her home while her two children were preschoolers. She remained a strong supporter of University Extension programs, most specifically 4-H Club work. She was a 4-H leader for 13 years in Clay and Clinton Counties. She was also an assistant Girl Scout leader in Liberty.
Ruth and Jim were active in Disciples of Christ churches in each of their residence towns. Ruth was a 17-year member of the Cameron Business and Professional Women’s club and attained the rating of Certified Professional Secretary.
She loved flowers, vacation trips, antique auctions, RV weekends with friends, and entertaining family and friends in her home.
Ruth was preceded in death by her husband, parents, grandson Chris Pullen, three brothers Robert, John, and Dale; sister Dorothy Hagan; sisters-in-law Lola Botts, Ann Long, Louise Rowoth, and Lucille Long; brothers-in-law Francis Hagan, Fred Long, George Long, and Melvin Rowoth; and long-time family friend, Glenn Murphy.
She is survived by daughter Janet (Ray) Pullen; son Ken (Esther) Long; two grandchildren Brad Long (Karla Thatcher Rojas) and Hillary (Nate) Snell; great grandchildren Matthias and Isabelle Snell; sisters-in-law Theo Botts and Sarah Botts; and many cherished nieces, nephews, and friends.
Farewell Services 11:00 A.M. Saturday, First Christian Church, St. Joseph. The family will gather with friends one hour prior to the service. Private Family Inurnment Botts Cemetery near Meadville, MO. The family suggests memorial contributions to First Christian Church, 927 Faraon, St. Joseph, MO 64501, or Botts Cemetery, c/o Amy Surber, 21692 Apple Dr., Wheeling, MO 64688. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.
