Ruth Briggs

(From Ozark Funeral Home)

Ruth Juanita Briggs, age 101 of Noel, Missouri, passed away on Monday, May 8, 2023, at the McDonald County Living Center in Anderson, Missouri.

Ruth was born to the late Claude H. and Elsie Zeona (Harmon) Perry on June 29, 1921 in Noel, Missouri. 

She married Paul C. Briggs on October 20, 1941 in Carl Junction, Missouri, he preceded her in death in 2001. She attended the Mill Creek Baptist Church in Noel, Missouri, where she played the piano. They owned and operated C & B Market in Noel in the 1950s, later a motel in Cassville, and a grocery store in a Seligman Missouri. 

Ruth knitted and crocheted numerous afghans and sweaters. She and Paul loved taking several generations of kids on tours of Roaring River State Park. She enjoyed gardening and crafts. She lived most of her life in Seligman, Missouri with Paul where they attended the First Baptist Church.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Paul Briggs; her parents, Claude and Elsie; infant children, Frances Sue and Steve Paul Briggs; her siblings, Daisy B. (Perry) Manning, Kenneth H. Perry, Ted Perry and Mertie Harmon.

Ruth is survived by her sister, Tess Ann Sugarman, of Elk City, Oklahoma; one sister-in-law, (Ted’s Widow) Ernie Perry, of Williamsburg, Virginia; nieces, Anna M. Harmon (partner) Joyce E. Short of Noel, Missouri, Myrna Steele of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Marsha and (husband) Ed McComas of Elk City, Oklahoma; Michelle and (husband) Neal Wallace of Williamsburg, Virginia; and nephew, Don “Butch” Manning of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Several great nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other family and friends who will dearly miss Ruth.

Graveside service for Ruth will be held on Thursday May 11, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. in the Noel Cemetery in Noel, Missouri with Pastor John Edwards officiating.

In lieu of flowers, donations would be welcome to the Noel Cemetery, P. O. Box 520, Anderson, Missouri 64831 or St. Jude’s Hospital in care of the funeral home.