Eunice Ruth (Akers) Woody, 90 passed away peacefully on August 17, 2026, in Kansas City, Missouri of complications from dementia. Born September 16, 1935, on the Akers family farm near New Hampton and Albany, Missouri. Ruth was the third child of four born to William Corell Akers and Eunice (Kidwell) Akers. Ruth and her brother Frank were both born on Sept 16th, Frank in 1933 and Ruth in 1935.

The Akers children shared farming responsibilities with their parents. Work was performed without electricity and indoor plumbing as the farm didn’t receive those services until the conclusion of WW II. Ruth’s primary responsibility was slopping the hogs. Ruth enjoyed a love/hate relationship with the hogs, often pushing them into mud holes all the while realizing that the hogs enjoyed it. Ruth developed a hog call which would later prove useful in life when calling her family to the dinner table.

She began school at Locust Grove, a one room country schoolhouse 1.5 miles north of the Akers farm. In 1945 her parents transferred Ruth and her siblings to school in Albany, Missouri. She graduated from Albany High School in 1953. It was there where she would meet her future husband, Wendell Woody (Albany class of 1952). Ruth and Wendell were married on September 18, 1954, which was also Wendell’s 20th birthday. Ruth’s high school classmates remained close friends throughout their life, and she cherished the visits and trips they took together. Ruth maintained strong ties to her hometown of Albany throughout her lifetime, returning often to visit family and friends.

Ruth graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder in 1957 with a B.A. from the School of Business and also in 1962 with a M.A. from the School of Education. Ruth began her teaching career with the Denver Colorado public school district teaching 3rd & 4th grade. When she became pregnant with her first child the district required teachers to immediately stop teaching. After both her sons reached school age, she returned to the teaching profession by substitute teaching in the North Kansas City School District and later also taught business courses at Wright Business School.

Ruth constantly supported her husband Wendell through career advancements that involved relocating from Denver, CO to Mountain View, CA, and finally returning to their home state of Missouri. She provided home office assistance for Wendell’s businesses. The pecking of Ruth’s IBM selectric typewriter was a familiar sound in the home. Ruth accompanied Wendell on many business trips to cable industry meetings and trade shows.

Ruth was an avid reader and frequent library patron. She solved crossword puzzles daily. She enjoyed organizing her high school reunions and family gatherings. During the holidays, she prepared a multitude of Christmas candies beautifully plated to generously share with neighbors and friends. She was a member of Northminster Presbyterian Church and Chapter IJ of PEO International. She was very proud of her ancestry, which through her mother’s family allowed her to gain membership in the General & Kansas Society of Mayflower Descendants, and Daughters of the American Revolution organizations. Memorial Day visits to family cemeteries were an important part of Ruth’s upbringing and continued throughout her adult life.

Ruth is preceded in death by her parents, sister Virgina and her husband Ora Collier Jr., brother Frank Akers, sister Mary Ann Lowary, sister in laws Lodema Allenbrand (Bobby), Pearl Meyer, brother-in-law Gary Woody (Meredith). Her husband of 60 years, Wendell Woody died in 2015. Ruth is survived by her two sons, Stuart Woody (Brian Partlow), and David (Teri) Woody, Grandchildren Elizabeth Susan and Benjamin David. Also surviving are sister-in-law, Elaine Akers and brother-in-law Fred Woody (LaRue) and 28 nieces and nephews.

The family appreciates the compassionate care provided by Wexford Place and Ascend Hospice. A memorial service will be held Friday, August 28, 2026, at Northminster Presbyterian Church, 1441 NE Englewood Rd., Kansas City, MO 64118. Visitation begins at 10:30 with the service commencing at 11:00. Interment in Grandview Cemetery, Albany Missouri at a later date. Online Condolences: www.robersonpolleychapel.com