Ruth Stewart Reed

Life Reflection

Our beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, Ruth (Mumzy) Reed , was born on March 18th, 1941 in St. Louis, Missouri to Fred and Queen Esther Stewart. She was the third of four girls. While she tended to be the daughter who played most things by the rule book, she had a practical yet mischievous side that would show itself from time to time.

Ruth received her early education from Holy Angels Catholic School in Kinloch and attended St. Catherine Laboure high School in St. Louis, MO.

On November 24, 1960, Ruth was joined in Holy Matrimony to Willie Reed and was married 40 years before Willie preceded her in death.

Ruth started her working career as a bookkeeper in retail sales for her brother-in-law. Later, she worked in the banking industry in several positions where she was known for her patience and ability to get even the most ridiculous customers to act right. She had a heart for helping others and committed herself to volunteering and even became a foster parent to children in need. She spent a part of her career providing day care for children which proved to be one of her gifts. In her later years, she became a Teacher's Assistant at St. Mary Magdalen and was known for being able to get her kids to behave without saying a word or lifting a finger. It only took a small raise of her eyebrow for them to sit up straight and get in line. Even though they knew she meant business, they also knew she rewarded good behavior and loved to give treats out when they went the extra mile to help out. She loved that job, her kids, and the community of her school where she worked until she retired.

Ruth was the heart of our home and family. She enjoyed social activities and knew if there were projects she needed finishing around the house, all she needed to do was announce to Willie that she would be throwing one of the many home parties they were known for hosting. She was an avid card player loving to "school" anyone in spades or guts - including her grandkids! Ruth supported many community events like fund raising for the local fire and police departments. She also volunteered with her church ministries, the Ladies Sodality, the Food Pantry and at the homeless shelter in Kirkwood. Ruth was known wherever she went.

Ruth was an adventurer who loved to travel. She was happy to visit her sons Tory and Fred in the many places they lived throughout their careers. On her bucket list was to travel to all 50 states. She almost accomplished her wish, traveling to 45 states, several European countries, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Mexico, and Africa! God blessed her marriage union with two sons and one daughter, Tory (Dina) Reed, Jan, and Fred Reed. She is grandmother to seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. She is also preceded in death by her mother, father, and two sisters, Delores Dave and Wanda Murphy and is survived by her sister Judy Caine and a host of family and friends.