RUTH ELLEN STOCKSDALE

Ruth E. Stocksdale, age 84, formerly of Liberty, Missouri, died March 19, 2009, at Heisinger Bluffs Lutheran Home, Jefferson City, Missouri. She was born October 22, 1924 in St. Louis, Missouri, the daughter of Otto and Lillian Bronson. She attended St. Louis public schools and graduated from Bayless Senior High in 1942. After graduation she attended Washington University and the American Institute of Banking. She was first employed as a teller at Gravois Bank, Affton, Missouri. On March 12, 1949 she married Russell (Russ) H. Stocksdale, who was raised in Jefferson City, Missouri, and together they devoted their lives to the business of banking first in Bucklin, Missouri and then in Liberty, Missouri where she and Russ acquired the Commercial Bank of Liberty, NA in 1961. After Russs untimely death in June, 1977, Ruth decided to continue in her husbands role as an officer of the Bank and Chairman of its Board of Directors. Under her guidance, Commercial Bank maintained steady growth. Her efforts were noted by metropolitan business professionals and in 1992, she was a finalist for Ernst & Youngs Entrepreneur of the Year in the Kansas/Western Missouri Region. She was also recognized for her achievements in the Northland (North Kansas City). In 1993, she was awarded the Anne Robb Townsend Tribute to Excellence Award in Business. The award is named after the mother of newspaper publisher Harold G. Townsend, Jr. It is given annually to three Northland area women that have excelled in the areas of business, civics and philanthropy. Ruth and her husband were community improvement pioneers in Clay County and the vicinity. Russ, with Ruths support, led the campaign to create the New Liberty Hospital District, one of the first established under Missouris Hospital District Law, and served in leadership positions during the construction and later operation of Liberty Hospital, which has become a major regional medical center serving northwest Missouri. She was a charter and life time member and the first president of the Liberty Hospital Auxiliary. She was a Board Member Emeritus of the Liberty Hospital Foundation. The Stocksdales were leaders in the development and organization of the Liberty Hills Country Club. They provided early financing for the construction of the club house and ground improvements. Ruth continued as a member of the Club (Member #1) until her death. She was a member and former President of the Liberty Hills Country Club Women's Association. The Stocksdales also donated to the City of Liberty the property for Ruth Stocksdale Park which has become a popular soccer venue and frequent destination for mountain biking and hiking enthusiasts. Ruth and Russ were active supporters of the Democratic Party. Russ was appointed an honorary Colonel by Governor John M. Dalton, and Ruth and Russ accompanied Governor and Geraldine (Jerry) Dalton to Europe on an ambassadorial trip in 1963, along with Speaker of the House Thomas D. Graham and his wife, Christine, and other members of the Governors closest staff. Ruth was a long time admirer of Mel Carnahan and when Mr. Carnahan served as Missouri Treasurer, Ruth joined him and Jean in 1984 on a journey to China and Russia to promote Missouri business enterprise. The Stocksdales were also drawn to William Jewell College and were actively involved in its student life and programs. They were generous contributors to the College as well. That support continued long after Russs death. The Stocksdale Trophy, which is awarded during annual Jewell Homecoming festivities is named for Russ. Ruth is the namesake for the Stocksdale Gallery on the campus. The Stocksdale Gallery has been acclaimed as one of the finest college gallery spaces in the region. In 1985, Ruth received the Colleges William F. Yates Medallion for Distinguished Service. It is the highest non-degree award bestowed by William Jewell College and recognizes individuals who have made significant and distinctive contributions in educational, civic or religious service. She is also one of 26 honorary alumni of the College. Her other College related activities include her charter membership in the William Jewell College Women's Committee, membership in the Colleges Fine Arts Guild and Presidents Club. Ruth was a member of IZ Chapter, PEO in which she held a variety of chief offices. She was a member of the Soroptomist Club. She served on the Board of Directors of Immacolata Manor, Liberty. She was a life member of the Clay County Museum Association; member and two time chairperson of the annual fundraising crusade for the Liberty Chapter of the American Cancer Society; member of the Liberty Chamber of Commerce and Liberty Industrial Development Corporation; member of the Board of Directors and officer in the Liberty Industrial Development Authority; member of the National Association of Women Business Owners; and former Chairman of the Board of Directors of Farmers Bank of Polo, Polo, Missouri. She was a member of the Liberty United Methodist Church and while in Jefferson City, Missouri attended First Baptist Church. As a child of the Great Depression and World War II, Ruth joins many others in her generation who overcame adversity and personal loss with a resilience and sense of optimism that is now infrequently seen, and in the process improved the lives and livelihoods of many around her and many she never knew. She is survived by four children and their spouses: Rebecca S. Comley and Mark W. Comley, Jefferson City, Missouri; Sally Ann Stocksdale and S. Matthias Richards, Phoenix, Maryland; Mary E. Petty and Arthur Petty, Tipton, Missouri; and David H. Stocksdale and Cindy Stocksdale, Liberty, Missouri; eight grandchildren: Catherine (Comley) McGeehan and husband Andrew McGeehan of Peoria, Illinois; Russell J. Comley, Kansas City, Missouri; Geoffrey S. Richards and Aurora S. Richards of Phoenix, Maryland; Drew S. Petty, College Station, Texas; Glenn A. Petty, Mexico, Missouri; D. Benjamin Stocksdale and Annie L. Stocksdale, Liberty, Missouri. She is also survived by a niece and five nephews, and their families: Mabel Bronson Price, Rosebud, Missouri; Bill Bronson, Richard Bronson, Kenneth Bronson and John Bronson, who live in the St. Louis metropolitan area; and Jim Bronson, Shiloh, North Carolina. She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Robert E. Bronson; her husband, Russ, and two of her children who died in infancy, Russell Stocksdale and Roberta Stocksdale. Visitation is scheduled for Sunday, March 22, 2009 from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. at Dulle-Trimble Funeral Home, Jefferson City, Missouri. Funeral services for Mrs. Stocksdale will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, March 23, 2009, at the Grand River Chapel, William Jewell College, Liberty, Missouri, with Dr. Doyle M. Sager, pastor of First Baptist Church, Jefferson City, Missouri and a Trustee of William Jewell, officiating. Following the service the family has set aside time to greet visitors. The same day graveside services shall be held at interment at 2:00 p.m. at Glenridge Memorial Cemetery, Liberty, Missouri. Donations in Mrs. Stocksdales honor are suggested for the Jefferson City Chapter of the Alzheimers Foundation, Heisinger Bluffs Lutheran Home Christ Care Fund, the Liberty Hospital Foundation or William Jewell College Annual Fund. Those wishing to email condolences to the family may do so at the www.dulletrimble.com website.