Edna Ruth Reed

Edna Ruth Reed (Snyder), affectionately known as Ruth, passed away on November 8, 2024, at the age of 86 at her home in Independence, Missouri. Born on November 24, 1937, in Osceola, Missouri. Ruth was a beacon of light with her beautiful, outgoing personality and friendly demeanor. She truly embodied the spirit of never having met a stranger.

Ruth's educational journey began in Osceola until the family moved to Kansas City on her 9th Birthday where she received a Baby Ruth Candy bar to celebrate. After moving to KC, Ruth attended Henry Clay Elementary where she still has several lifelong friends. Ruth graduated from Northeast High School in 1955 and started working at Kresge’s downtown, while planning her wedding to Hal. Ruth was a lifelong devotee to her faith and married Hal at Centropolis Baptist Church in Kansas City, on March 17, 1956. Ruth and Hal took the back seat out of their car, packed up all the wedding gifts and moved to Ft. Lee, Virginia where Hal was in the Army. The newlyweds quickly found a local church. So young and far from home, they made more lifelong friends who surrounded them with love and support as they brought their first child, Cindi, into the world. When they returned from the army, they bought their first house in Independence. Soon after settling in, Mindy was born and 5 years later, the son they had always wanted, Dennis was born. Their family was now complete.

In the early 70's Ruth and her family became members of Maywood Baptist Church. The family grew in their faith, while Ruth served by teaching Sunday School, traveling on ski-trips with the youth and leading women's group events. Her life was rich with hobbies that included spending time with friends, traveling, her closest friends the Two by Twos, organizing and attending family gatherings. She was particularly passionate about supporting her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren in their various sports and activities.

After the kids went to school Ruth went to work in banking at First Federal Saving and Loan, where she made significant strides from a teller to a loan officer, eventually rising to the position of Branch Manager at Noland Road in Independence. Ruth was a saver and tried her best to share that skill with her family. Ruth retired from First Federal and volunteered as a Hospice Coordinator at Independence Regional Hospital.

Ruth was preceded in death by her husband, Hal Reed, Jr.; her daughter Mindy Torello; parents, Estin and Edna Snyder; and her sister, Mary Anne Lawrence.

She leaves behind a loving family: her daughter, Cindi Reed Skeen and her husband, son-in-love, David; Dennis Reed and daughter-in-love, Julie; grandson, Matthew Skeen and his wife Janel; granddaughter, Megan Ruth (Skeen) Luster and her husband, Kyle; granddaughter Rachel (Reed) Andersen and husband Zack; grandson Jacob Reed; grandson Caleb Torello; granddaughter Jennifer (Torello) Vandervalk and her husband Zach; and 7 great grandchildren Gracin, Kendrik and Beckett Skeen; Lane and Luke Luster; and Adyaln and Zane Vandervalk. She also leaves her sisters Elaine Wilson, Karen Hammond and brother Ron Snyder. Ruth leaves a very close extended family full of cousins, nieces, nephews and countless friends. She will be missed by all who knew her.

Services to celebrate Ruth's life will be held on Friday, November 15, 2024, at Maywood Baptist Church, 10105 E Winner Road, Independence, MO 64052 with a visitation from 10:00 to 11:00 AM followed by a Celebration of Life service from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM and graveside services at Mount Moriah, 10507 Holmes Road, Kansas City, MO 64131 at 2:00 PM. The Speaks Funeral Home in Independence, MO, are assisting the family.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Maywood Baptist Church in Ruth's memory, honoring her commitment to her faith and community.