Nanny (“Aunt Annie”) died July 26, 2023, from Parkinson’s disease complications. She was also known as Ann, Annie, and Ruth Ann. The latter she didn’t particularly like. She was born in Boonville, Missouri, on January 21, 1944. Her family moved to Fayette, and she graduated from Fayette High School in 1961. She volunteered in the community with Friends of the Columbia Public Library, Voluntary Action Center, and AARP income tax preparation. She was active in the local Mensa group, Columbia Weavers & Spinners Guild, and Columbia Atheists. She was a fierce advocate of women and human rights as a member and local chapter officer of the National Organization for Women. She was a fiber artist mastering weaving, knitting, paper marbling, and flower arranging. She became a Master Gardener and supported the local gardening community. She enjoyed playing trivia and bridge. Her favorite trivia team was the Nine Banded Armadillos. She loved music and traveling, combining both by attending many concerts, including ragtime music festivals. She started her career at the ASCS office in Fayette, Missouri. She later became the office manager at Hulett Heating and Air Conditioning, retiring after 32 years of service.

She is survived by her sister, Dixie Richey; nieces and nephew, Sarah Mounter, Mary Lay, Jane, and Michael Richey; great nieces and nephews, Stephanie, Flynn and Greer Richey, Ethan and Nick Lay, and D’Ontae Mitchell; and great-great niece and nephews, Layla, Izayah, Aiden, and JD. She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Margaret Edwards; a sister, Gail Mounter; and two brothers-in-law, Don Mounter and Allen Richey. 

Memorials may be made in her name to the Daniel Boone Regional Library (https://www.dbrl.org/giving) or a charity of your choice. A celebration of life will be held on August 19, 2023, from 2 until 4 p.m. in the Friends Room at the Daniel Boone Regional Library in Columbia, Missouri.