Ruth Georgia Steed

Ruth Georgia Steed, 95, died Wednesday, January 21, 2009 in Springfield, Missouri. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Monday, January 26, in Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home, 1947 E. Seminole in Springfield. Ruth was born June 30, 1913 in Greenup, Illinois, as the oldest daughter of Lura Titus Bennett and John Willard Bennett. On January 21, 1933, she was united in marriage with Iran DeWitt "Tod" Steed, and enjoyed 61 years of married life until Tod's death in 1994. They had two daughters, Sharon Ruth Shank and Erin Lynn McBride. Sharon predeceased her mother in 2007. Ruth grew up in Greenup, Illinois. At school, she was an avid student and voracious reader, whose favorite book was Anne of Green Gables. She had a recognized aptitude for art. Ruth was also fleet of foot and said she could outrun all the girls and any of the boys at the Silver Leaf School. In order to help support her family, Ruth withdrew from school in the 8th grade to work at Ettelbrick Shoe Factory in Greenup alongside her mother. Ruth and Tod spent the early years of their marriage in Cumberland County, Illinois until they moved to Compton, California in 1941. They remained in California until 1951 when they moved to Springfield and bought acreage on east Sunshine where they built a family home. Always interested in art and photography, Ruth developed a passion for photo-color portraiture after moving to Springfield. Ruth became so skilled that she developed a thriving commercial business and enjoyed a national reputation in this field. For several years, she taught courses on this special painting process at The University of North Carolina. Photographers from around the country would also send her photos to transform. Her portraits are displayed in many homes and institutions around the country, including Pan-Hellenic Hall on the campus of Drury University. Ruth devoted many years of service to the Good Samaritan Boys Ranch Auxiliary, where she served as vice-president and board member, and to The Springfield League of Women Voters. She was recently recognized as the oldest living member of the League. She was a frequent visitor and supporter of the Springfield Art Museum. Ruth will be remembered as an energetic, vivacious personality who loved music, dancing and the performance arts. She was a faithful and engaging letter writer. She was a charming and gifted conversationalist with a delightful sense of humor. These qualities won her many friends and admirers. She valued education and finally obtained her high school diploma while in her 50s and continued her education through adult evening classes at Drury University. But her family will remember her best as a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. Ruth had a gift for incorporating her grandchildren into her life: If she was painting, they were painting; if she was cooking, they helped; if she was watching the political talk-shows, they watched also. In this way, she passed on her values and interests. She was a remarkable family historian who was always sharing interesting stories from the past. Despite living in Springfield for 58 years, she never lost touch with her family and friends in Greenup. She subscribed to The Greenup Press and occasionally submitted a letter for publication. Her final resting place will be in Greenup. Ruth is survived by her daughter, Lynn McBride of Albany, California, her son-in-law Kenneth G. Shank of Springfield; four grandchildren, Christopher S. Shank and his wife Lili, of Fairway, Kansas; Andrea Wise and her husband Bill, of Springfield; Molly McBride of Brooklyn, New York and Sam McBride of Russian River, California. In addition, she is survived by eight great-grandchildren. The family wishes to express its deepest gratitude to everyone who took such great care of "Grandma Steed", including the dedicated staff at The Neighborhoods of Quail Creek and the very special caregivers from Seasons Hospice. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to The Good Samaritan Boys Ranch or Seasons Hospice.