Ruth Louise Strawn Thompson

Ruth Louise Strawn Thompson was born in St. Joseph, Missouri, July 2, 1928, the eighth of nine children of Dr. Estil Young Strawn and Ruth Endicott Strawn. She spent her childhood years in St. Joseph with her five brothers and three sisters.

Ruth received her formal education in St. Joseph, attending Lincoln Elementary School and graduating as class salutatorian from Bartlett High School in 1946. She married her high school sweetheart, Buford Grant Thompson, September 1946. They were blessed with six children, Yvette (Ginger), Linda, Debra, Ruth (Twinkles), Buford, Jr. (Tommy) and Laurie.

Ruth was a superb homemaker known for baking delicious pastries, cookies, and rolls. She was a skilled seamstress who made most of her daughters’ clothing. Children and grandchildren always looked forward to something made especially for them every Christmas and birthday. She was also known in the community for creating beautiful wedding, bridesmaids and prom gowns. Ruth volunteered her services at her children’s and grandchildren’s schools, and logged many miles walking and visiting neighbors. A devoted lover of performing and visual arts, Ruth instilled a love for classical music in all her children. She also enjoyed seek-and-find puzzles, and always had a puzzle close by.

Ruth was baptized at an early age at Ebenezer AME Church in St. Joseph. After moving to Kansas City she became a faithful member of St. James United Methodist Church for over thirty-five years.

Ruth Thompson transitioned to eternal peace Friday, May 15, 2015. She was preceded in death by her husband, two daughters, a grandson, and her eight siblings.

Ruth is cherished and loved by many friends and relatives she touched in countless ways throughout the years. She is survived by three daughters, Linda (Joe) Page, Champaign, Illinois, Ruth Long, Lenexa, Kansas, and Laurie Glass, Kansas City, Missouri; one son, Buford, Jr. (Belinda), Las Vegas, Nevada; and a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews..

Memorial service for Ruth Thompson will be Friday, May 29, at St. James United Methodist Church, 5540 Wayne, Kansas City, Missouri. Visitation begins at 10:00 a.m. with the service to follow at 11:00 a.m.