Ruth Duncan

(From Mason-Woodard Mortuary)

Verna “Ruth” Duncan, age 92, of Webb City, Missouri passed away after a brief illness on Friday September 22, 2023 at the Solace House of the Ozarks in Joplin, Missouri.

Ruth was born May 6, 1931 in Manchester, Tennessee to Edgar and Valena (Bowker) Elrod. She was preceded in death by her parents, five brothers, Harold, John, Cylde, Daniel, Manuel; five sisters, Jewel Wyant, Mary Williams, Exie Fletcher, June Elrod and Etoy McMahan.

Ruth is survived by one son, Darrell Duncan and wife Elaine, Defiance, Missouri; two daughters, Cynthia Mahurin and husband Sammy, Joplin, Missouri, Carla Marchbanks and husband Don, Webb City, Missouri; one brother Jerry Elrod and wife Sue, St. Louis, Missouri; seven grandchildren, Aaron, Jeremy and Brandon Duncan, Samantha Bird, Ashley Brigance, Alicia Hall, Alana Ganer, and 12 great grandchildren, as well as several nieces, nephews and friends.

After graduating from high school, Ruth moved to St. Louis where she married and started a family. She was a homemaker raising her children and after her children were grown, she worked for over 15 years at Rite Point Pen Company and then worked in her home as a child care provider. She remained in St. Louis for more than 40 years before moving to the Joplin area in 2005. Ruthe was a devoted Christian and spent many of her early years teaching Sunday school classes as well as being a faithful and devoted church member.

Those gentlemen honoring her life by serving as pallbearers will be, Aaron Duncan, Jeremy Duncan, Brandon Duncan, Kris Bird, Thieman Ganer, Wesley Cargill, and Bobby Brigance.

Funeral services will be 10:00 am Friday September 29, 2023 at The Sanctuary of Joplin 1831 S Connor Ave Joplin, Missouri with Reverend Rex Robertson officiating. Burial will follow at Mt Hope Cemetery.

The family will receive friends 6:00-8:00-pm Thursday September 28th at the church.

In lieu of flowers, contributions are requested to The Solace House of the Ozarks and may be sent in care of the mortuary.

Arrangements are under the direction of Mason-Woodard Mortuary & Crematory Joplin, Missouri.