Ruth Williams, 93, of Centralia, Kansas passed away Sunday, May 4, 2014.

Ruth was born October 17, 1920, in Washington DC to Dr. Charles and Clara Mangels. After her mother died at the age of two she was raised by her maternal grandparents in Kansas City. She graduated from Central high school in Kansas City at the age of sixteen, there after she attended Baker University She was a member of Zeta Tau Alpha sorority while there and was president her senior year.  She graduated with a degree in Education in 1941.

She married Bob Williams in December of 1943. Bob was a chaplain for the Navy, and then a minister. They lived in Grand Island NE, Blue Rapids, Eureka, Lenexa, Ottawa, Centralia, KS and Springfield SD. Ruth taught school in Wheaton, Fostoria, Pomona, Ottawa, and Wetmore, KS.

Ruth was very involved with the church. She was volunteer secretary at many of the places her husband ministered. She was also very active in various clubs in the communities in which they lived.

They retired in Centralia, KS and became “snowbirds” during the early years of retirement, wintering in Mission, TX. Ruth was an excellent grandmother and always had homemade cookies readily available. Everyone enjoyed being spoiled by Ruth. Ruth was a kind and generous woman who saw the good in everybody. She will be greatly missed.

She was preceded in death by her parents, a sister, Dorothy Jaynes, her husband, and a son, Milan Williams. She is survived by a son Bob (Bogadi) Williams in Mochudi, Botswana ,Africa; two daughters, Sally Williams in Noonan , North Dakota; Sharon (Dennis) Lowry in Silver Lake KS; five grandchildren Lesedi and Kgafela Williams in Gaborone Botswana; Sara Wapelhorst in Junction City, KS, Austin Blake in Seattle Washington and Thomas Blake in Lawrence KS and two great-grandchildren.

Funeral service is Saturday, May 10, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at the Centralia Community Church in Centralia, Kansas.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Centralia Public Library, Centralia Community Church or the Eastridge Nursing Home, sent in care of Hayes-Popkess Funeral Home, 814 Castle, Seneca, KS 66538. http://www.popkessmortuaries.com/