Ruth Nadine Lemley

Saturday, August 21, 2021

Ruth Nadine Lemley, 82, Nevada, Mo., passed away on Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2021, at Nevada Regional Medical Center. Ruth was born May 5, 1939, in Quincy (Benton County), Mo., to Lea Virdie and Lula Belle (Norris) Swopes. She married John E. Bryant and to this union her four children were born. She later married George Lemley Sr. who preceded her in death in June 2008.

Ruth grew up in Benton County and attended school in Appleton City. Following school, she lived in Kansas City, Mo., for a number of years, before moving to El Dorado Springs in the early 1970s. She has lived in Nevada, Mo., for the past 20 years.

Ruth worked in various nursing homes in Columbia and El Dorado Springs before retiring. She enjoyed vegetable gardening as well as growing blackberries and flowers and she “made the best pumpkin pie."

Survivors include her children; John Bryant (Angela), Nevada, Cheryl Pruitt (Ron), Nevada, Rick Bryant of the home, and Larry Bryant (Christina), El Dorado Springs; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren; a sister, Laudine Parks, Appleton City; and special friends, Kevin and Sherrie Broughton, Nevada. In addition to her husband, George, she was preceded in death by a brother, Vernon Swopes; a sister, Doreen Smith; and great-grandson, Maddox Smith.

Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m., Thursday, Aug. 26, at Ferry Funeral Home, Nevada. The family will receive friends from 9:30 to 10 a.m., prior to the service and ask that social distancing be maintained and masks worn. Private interment will follow in Appleton City Cemetery, Appleton City, Mo.

Memorials are suggested to the American Heart Association or Vernon County Cancer Relief in care of Ferry Funeral Home, Nevada.

View obituary and send condolences online at www.ferryfuneralhome.com.