Ruthella was born in Farmington, New Mexico, on January 20, 1930, to Lewis Harvey Moore and Maude (Birdsall) Moore. She graduated from Farmington High School in 1948 and attended New Mexico A&M University (now New Mexico State University) for two years, then transferred to John Brown University where she majored in radio production.
Ruthella married Robert Lee ("Bob") McBride in 1952. They lived in Washington, D.C., Joplin, Missouri, and eventually Coffeyville, Kansas, where they raised their family. In Coffeyville, Ruthella was a member of the Presbyterian Church and a Girl Scout troop leader. She had a long career establishing and operating numerous programs for seniors throughout Southeast Kansas, initially for the American Red Cross and later as an Aging Program Specialist for the Southeast Kansas Area Agency on Aging.
In 1995, Ruthella and Bob retired and moved to Wichita. Ruthella was an avid reader, enjoyed daily swims, and loved playing duplicate bridge. After Bob passed away, Ruthella moved to Via Christi Village Georgetown, where she made many wonderful friends. Ruthella spent her final months at Catholic Care Center.
Ruthella's daughters would like to extend their sincere thanks to all of Ruthella's friends and caregivers at Georgetown, Catholic Care, and Good Shepherd Hospice who assisted Ruthella and helped her to enjoy her later years.
Ruthella was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, and her brother Edwin R. Moore. She is survived by four daughters: Colonel Patricia McBride USAF, Retired of Colorado Springs, Colorado; Kathleen Dye and her husband John R. Dye Il of Wichita; Martha Baker and her husband Mark Baker of Portland, Texas; and Nancy McBride of Austin, Texas. Ruthella also is survived by four grandsons: John R. Dye III and his wife Natalee of Wichita; Brian Dye of Lee's Summit, Missouri; Steven Baker and his wife Mackensey of Spring, Texas; and Christopher Baker and his wife Katy of Lubbock, Texas. The lights of Ruthella's life were her beloved great-granddaughters: Sylvee Dye of Wichita and Reese Baker of Spring, Texas.
In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society or any community food bank. The family will hold a private memorial service at Resthaven.
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