Ruth Woodside

Ruth Woodside, 99, of Paragould, passed away Wednesday, October 7, 2020 at her residence surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Brunswick, Missouri on August 1, 1921 to Carl Antone and Bessie Musick Meyer. Ruth was the valedictorian of her high school graduating class. She then attended Chillicothe Business College where she graduated first in her class with a business degree. She put that degree to use as an executive secretary at Ed White Jr. Shoe Factory. Ruth also worked at The Big Picture Newspaper and later retiring as a secretary at Emerson Electric where she worked on insurance assignments and policies. Some of her hobbies included bird watching, reading, and listening to gospel music. She had a keen interest in ancestry and genealogy and joined the Greene County Historical Society where she became the recording secretary. She also served on the Parks and Recreation Committee and was honored by having a park named after her, Woodside Glen Park in Center Hill. Ruth served on the Mission Outreach Board and also helped establish the first P.T.A. for Oakwood Elementary School where she served as president of the P.T.A. She was a long time member of First Presbyterian Church Paragould where she had the privilege of serving as the Clerk of Session, the secretary as well as an Elder and Deacon.

Ruth is preceded in death by parents; husband of nearly 50 years, Harley Woodside; and three brothers, Floyd Meyer, Russell Meyer, and Wilbur Meyer.

Survivors include three children, Michael (Peggy) Woodside, of Paragould, Marlita (Ken) Stuart, of Jonesboro, and Marlan Woodside, of California City, California; five grandchildren, Tony (Jennifer) Woodside, Matthew (Amy) Woodside, Grant Woodside, Jason Stuart, and Ashley Stuart; seven great-grandchildren, Caleb (Emily) Woodside, Jacob Woodside, Isaiah Woodside, Maddie Stuart, Jordan Irvin, Jathan Rawls, and Jenna Rawls; one great-great-grandchild, Emery Irvin; niece, Toni (Jim) Lucas; nephew, Gene (Carol) Meyer; and sister-in-law, Janet Meyer.

Visitation will be Sunday evening from 5:00-7:00 pm at Heath Funeral Home. Funeral service will be Monday beginning at 10:00 am at the funeral home with the Reverend Doctor Barry Anderson officiating. Burial will follow at Greene County Memorial Gardens. Memorials may be sent to Dierksen Hospice, First Presbyterian Church Paragould, or A.L.S.

In order to comply with CDC guidelines, face masks are required inside the building and friends are asked to practice social distancing.