SALINA – Ruth (Woodall) McRell passed away on July 11, 2022 in Village Manor of Abilene, Kansas after nearly 86 spirited years of life.

Ruth was born on July 24, 1936 to Nels and Eda Renspeas Sims on a farm near Longford, Kansas and graduated from Longford High School in 1954. On January 29, 1955 Ruth married Burdette “Woody” Woodall and welcomed their children, Dennis and Kim into the world. While raising her children, Ruth was a homemaker and avid Air Force spouse.

When her children were older, Ruth went to work for Tony’s Pizza. She became the first employee to earn Employee of The Month and Employee of The Year awards and worked for Tony’s for 25 years.

After the death of her first husband in 1989, Ruth married John Richard McRell on July 27th, 1991. Ruth and Richard enjoyed eight years of marriage and loved spending time together with each other’s children and grandchildren.

Ruth was an active member of First Church of the Nazarene and served as a frequent volunteer, especially at funeral dinners. She loved to chat with friends, cheer for her grandchildren, and was always showing her love through her amazing cooking.

Ruth was preceded in death by her husbands, parents, sisters Norma Prater and Margie Reed, and three brothers, Wayne, Walt, and Robert Sims.

Ruth is survived by her children, Dennis (Yvonne) and Kim Woodall, grandchildren, Andrew (Brandy) Schippers, Libby (Eric) Starns, Tyler Dupy, Chip (Angie), Kyle, Taylor, and Emily Woodall, and great grandchildren, Desiree and Jordan Schippers, and Jadyn, Brooke, Carter, and Cade Starns.

Visitation will be held Thursday, July 14, 2022 at Ryan Mortuary in Salina from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Family will be present from 5-7 p.m. Funeral services will be held Friday, July 15th at 10 a.m. at First Church of the Nazarene in Salina, KS.

Memorials in Ruth’s name can be made out to The Tammy Walker Cancer Center or First Church of the Nazarene, 1425 S Ohio St, Salina, KS 67401.