GREENWOOD
Ruth M. Shell of Greenwood, loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend died February 22, 2021 at the age of 95. Ruth was born on December 18th, 1925 deep in the Ozarks in Howell County, Missouri. The youngest child of James Burton Roper and Elzira (Ella) McMahan Roper, she grew up with her older brother Roy. Three other siblings, Lester, Pearl, and Fern were grown and had left home before she was old enough to know. Her home had no electricity, no running water, and the home was heated by a wood burning stove. After high school, she moved to Cape Girardeau, Mo. where her brother Roy and sister-in-law Leone lived so she could attend South East Missouri University. She studied accounting for 3 years before leaving school to work full time. While at college, she met her best friend for life, George W. Shell and they married October 29th, 1948. He preceded her in death after 49 years of a loving marriage. She worked many years in bookkeeping and accounting and prepared tax returns many years as well. She enjoyed working with numbers her whole life. Ruth and her husband had two sons, James (Jim) Albert Shell and John Roper Shell. Jim preceded her in death and she moved in with John and his wife Kimberly with whom she lived her last 3 years. Her days were filled with seeing her great grandchildren. Many a game of golf, soccer and catch were enjoyed by GG and the “littles”.
Ruth is survived by grandson Ryan (Charity) Shell, granddaughter Lauren (Adam) Knutsen, and grandson Grant Shell. She had five great grandchildren, Christian Jones, Ashton Jones-Shell, Daxton Shell, Ella Knutsen, and Sam Knutsen. Her close friends Joanne Banta and Mary Callender visited her often.
Her immediate family were present for her entombment at Forest Lawn Memory Gardens. The family will have a celebration for family and friends in the spring.
