Naomi Ruth (McNeil) Wooldridge opened her eyes to Jesus on Monday, May 19th, 2025 while surrounded by family.
Ruth, as she preferred to be called, was born on December 29th in Paragould, Arkansas to Howell and Callie McNeil.
Faith and family were central to Ruth her entire life.
As a young woman she moved to St. Louis, Missouri. In 1954 she married Jennings Wooldridge, another Arkansas transplant. They lived together happily for 62 years. Building a life in Missouri and raising their daughter Angela in a tradition of faith.
Ruth was engaged in church life. Early on at Tower Grove Baptist Church. Then at Crestwood Baptist Church for many years, before she and Jennings moved their letter of membership to South County Baptist Church. Her involvement spanned several areas of ministry, including a role as Sunday morning Greeter. A capacity she faithfully served in until just last summer.
Music, particularly hymns, were a cornerstone of Ruth’s daily life. It was not uncommon for her family to sing heartily at gatherings with Ruth occasionally stopping the proceedings to share a Scripture or poem which had touched her heart.
Service is also central to her story. As vocational in-home caregiver, she drew close to those in need. Tenderly watching over them.
She also served the Sunset Hills, Missouri community as Alderwoman. Advocating for her neighbors as the first female member in that legislative body’s history. Even after leaving office, her attention to local civic matters did not wane. No issue, big or small, evaded her notice. And where she saw an opening to exert influence, she did so, all with the aim of making her community a better place to live day-by-day.
However, her greatest joy lay in God’s ordination in her calling as a wife, mother, sister, Bubbi (Hebrew for grandmother), GrandBubbi, and friend. In relationships she beheld the image of God in others while expressing it back to them in turn.
At Heavens gate’s she found waiting her husband Jennings, sister Alma (McNeil) Ryan, and Margret (McNeil) Owen, parents Howell and Callie McNeil, and many other family and close friends.
Those she left behind to finish their race include daughter Phyllis Angela (Bruce Scott), granddaughter Emiley (Brett McMillan), great grandson Beckett, siblings Jimmy McNeil (fiancé, JoAnn Hester), Billie Ann McNeil, Judi (Lou Wagner), nieces: Debby Davis, Sharon Hicks, Mary Ryan, Anne Dittmer, Jerra Groman-Yount, nephew: Phillip Wooldridge, and several great nieces and nephews and countless other family and friends who continue her legacy of saying: “Bless the LORD, O my soul!”
Services: Visitation will be at 5pm-7pm., Friday May 23 at KUTIS AFFTON Chapel. Celebration of Life will be held at 9:30am on Saturday May 24 at South County Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to South County Baptist Church, Building Fund, would be appreciated.