MaryRuth Broughton

Born to James Lowell Carter and Vida Faye McGuire in tiny Plattsburg MO 85 years ago on October 18th 1938, they weren’t sure she was going to survive. They put her tiny, premature body in a box on the back of the stove and kept her warm. She did survive and her toughness was baked in from there. She was recruited into the FBI as a young lady and from there began her career as an Executive and Legal Secretary to numerous attorneys throughout many government organizations such as the Veterans Administration and the National Weather Service. She met her husband, Bill, while they both were working for the FBI in Washington DC and they were married for over 60 years both working in public service until their retirements. MaryRuth loved to fly, ride motorcycles and drive fast cars. She got her pilot’s license so that she could fly her father’s Piper Cherokee. When her daughter was born, she would often put Stephanie in the baby seat strapped into the plane to go for an adventure, often threatening to do barrel rolls! MaryRuth was a spicy person and proud of it. She played high school basketball, was extremely intelligent, fought hard for women’s rights, civil rights and equality. She was a proud member of the American Business Women's Association. She was a competent welder and enjoyed working on stained glass projects, refinishing furniture and general crafts. She played the accordion and the electric organ. She was very independent and never afraid to fight for her beliefs and always did her best for her family.

She is survived by her daughter, Stephanie and her grandson Harley.

MaryRuth was preceded in death by her parents, James Lowell Carter and Vida Faye McGuire, her husband Bill, and her brother Dale. Dale was quite the adventurer himself and she spoke of him frequently near the end of her life. They are now reunited as co-conspirators in adventure! MaryRuth was a beautiful and inspiring woman and she will be fondly remembered with love.

A visitation for MaryRuth will be held Thursday, September 12, 2024 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at McGilley Antioch Chapel, 3325 NE Vivion Road, Kansas City, MO 64119 where a funeral service will begin at 11:00 AM. Burial will follow services in White Chapel Cemetery, 6600 NE Antioch Rd, Gladstone, MO 64119.