Shirley Ramsour

(From Parker Mortuary)

Shirley Ann Coombs Ramsour, age 98 of Joplin, MO, passed away in her sleep at Joplin Gardens on December 24, 2020.

Born April 23, 1922 at St. John’s Hospital in Joplin, she was the daughter of the late Miller Oliver Coombs, MD and Irma Mary Schmidt Coombs, and was a lifelong Joplin resident. She was a beloved daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother and great- grandmother. She will be remembered by those who knew her as a kind, gentle lady, with a fun-loving spirit and a generous soul who enhanced the lives of everyone she touched. 

In all phases of her life, she provided love, guidance, and support to her family and friends. She was a blessing to all who knew her, and her children are grateful for her life.

A 1940 graduate of Joplin High School, Shirley attended Sweet Briar College in Virginia and Joplin Junior College. She received her Bachelor of Arts in English in 1944 from the University of Missouri at Columbia. Shirley spent two years volunteering for the Red Cross and USO in Virginia during WWII. 

After the war, she returned to Joplin. Shirley married Bart Joseph Ramsour at St. Peter the Apostle
Catholic Church in Joplin on June 3, 1947. Shirley was always present at St. Peter’s Grade School, North Junior High, Joplin High and Memorial High schools supporting her children and their activities. She was an active member of the Delta Gamma Sorority and co-chaired the 1970 Delta Gamma National Convention at Lake of the Ozarks. 

She later received the sorority’s prestigious “Clara S. Gentry Outstanding Regional Alumna” award. She was a founding member of the Friends of St. Avips and chaired its annual gala in 1986. She was a member of the P.E.O. International Sisterhood, Wednesday Study Club, Twin Hills Golf and Country Club, Rotary Ann Club, and past board member of Joplin Woman’s Club. Shirley was the longest continuing member in the history of First Presbyterian Church of Joplin.

In honor of her late husband Bart, she established a scholarship in his name at MSSU. Both Shirley and Bart believed in education, not just in the classroom, but through travel. They traveled extensively to more than 35 countries around the globe during their 48 years of marriage and took their children and grandchildren to see historical sites first-hand throughout the USA.

Shirley’s husband Bart preceded her in death on August 23, 1995. A brother, Arthur Miller Coombs, a sister, Margo Lavonne Coombs Lee, and a grandson, Patrick Barton Ramsour, also preceded her in death.

Shirley is survived by her four children, Peter Bart Ramsour and wife Susan of Joplin, Mary Patricia (Patty) Ramsour of Kansas City, MO, Mark Coombs Ramsour and wife Carol of Joplin, and Stephen Edward Ramsour of Tampa, FL. She is also survived by five grandchildren, Elizabeth Ann Ramsour Claybrook and husband John of Bella Vista, AR, David Wesley Ramsour and wife Faith of Evanston, IL, Benjamin Joseph Ramsour and wife Kirsten of Orlando, FL, Marly Ramsour of Neosho MO, and Ross Coombs Ramsour and wife Lindsay of Houston, TX. Additional survivors are seven great-grandchildren, Emma Claybrook of Rogers, AR, Patrick Claybrook of Bella Vista, AR, Brendan and ColinRamsour of Evanston, IL, Brady and Bella Ramsour of Orlando, FL, and Caroline Ramsour of Houston, TX.

We are grateful to our compassionate and kindhearted caretakers, Cindy Lang, Tracy Purcell, Sylvia Sprinkle, Tiffany Willis, and Sue Wells, as well as the caring staff at both Joplin Gardens and Regional Hospice.

Graveside services will be held at Mount Hope Cemetery on Tuesday, January 5th at 2:00 pm. A celebration of Shirley’s life will be held on a future date at First Presbyterian Church of Joplin with Pastors John and Kira Anderson officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions may be made to First Presbyterian Church of Joplin.