Ruth Ann Bullard

Ruth Ann Bullard, 88, passed away Tuesday, November 2, 2021, at The Villages at Jackson Creek in Independence, Missouri. She was born on December 19, 1932, in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, to Byron Edward and Wilda Mae Davis. The family moved to Kansas City, Missouri, when she was 9. She graduated from Westport High School in 1949 and lived most of her life in Independence.

Ruth Ann was preceded in death by her parents; husband Richard Bullard; first husband William O. Gooch, Sr.; brothers Edward Davis and Jim Davis; son-in-law Wayne Tiffany; and stepson Randy Bullard. She is survived by her children: William O. Gooch, Jr. (Valerie Thompson); Mark Gooch (Sarah Walker); Rebecca Tiffany; Sara Kriz (Tony); stepson Scott Bullard (Kathy); sister Grace Shearer; brothers Chester Davis (Bonnie) and Daniel Davis (Charm); thirteen grandchildren: Hillary Oliveira (Filipe), William E. Gooch (Susan), Rachel Kitley (Chip), Michael Tiffany (Shauna), Elizabeth Tiffany, Joshua Tiffany (Tabitha), Katie Kriz (Derek Noland), Adam Bullard, Kevin Bullard (Kimberly), Rachel Tolar (Brian), LeeAnn Parmenter (Brandon), Kelly Bullard (Karen), Chris Bullard; eleven great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and extended family members.

Ruth Ann loved her family and friends, enjoyed meeting new people and always made the holidays so much fun. Holding one of her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren always put a sparkle in her eyes. She was a wonderful cook and she loved to bake. She was an avid reader, volunteered whenever she could and loved to travel; Hawaii was one of her favorites. She was a PTA volunteer at Bristol Elementary and a den mother in Cub Scout Pack 263. She worked with the Girl Scouts and was a Sunday school teacher at Calvary Presbyterian (she always helped at the Thanksgiving dinner, too).

Ruth Ann spent her first seventeen years of motherhood as a homemaker and then began employment with the Kansas City School District in 1967, retiring after 22 years in 1989. Upon retirement, she was a volunteer at the National Frontier Trails Museum, Kansas City Public Library and Truman Library. After moving to the Woodmoor condos, she helped put together the holiday parties there. When she moved to the Fountains at Greenbriar, she was an ambassador to welcome the new residents. She made friends wherever she went, was always optimistic and made you feel good just being around her. Ruth Ann was loved by so many and will be greatly missed.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.speakschapel.com. (Arrangements: Speaks Suburban Chapel, 816-373-3600).