Graveside services for Ruth Imogene “Puckett” Wade, 88, of West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at Elk Creek Cemetery, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mrs. Wade passed away peacefully at 2:58 a.m. on Friday, October 2, 2026, in West Plains, Missouri.
She was born May 27, 1938, in Donnan, Fayette County, Iowa, the daughter of Howard Allegra Puckett and LaMyra May “Bright” Puckett. Mrs. Wade received her early education at Elk Creek School, a one-room schoolhouse east of West Plains, and graduated with the Class of 1955 from West Plains High School. She later furthered her education by attending college at Evangel University and Southwest Missouri State University – West Plains. On September 3, 1960, she was married at Elk Creek Church to Arnold Wade. Mrs. Wade held several jobs throughout her life, working at places like the shoe factory and Danny’s Café. However, her true love was working with children. To her, everything had a hidden lesson and a moral behind the story. She worked as a Head Start teacher for many years and finally retired from the West Plains School District as a bus driver. In the mid-1970s, she became a minister’s wife when she and her husband decided to follow God’s call to spread the Gospel. Mrs. Wade embraced her role completely and possessed an uncanny ability to connect with those hurting and needing a touch from the Lord. She never met a stranger and was always willing to talk with anyone. Mrs. Wade was a devout, born-again Christian. She deeply enjoyed spending time with her children, grandchildren, and, in later years, her great-grandchildren. After retirement and moving into town, having breakfast with her friends at McDonald’s became a true highlight of her day.
She is survived by three children: her sons, Rodney Wade (Tabatha) of West Plains, Missouri, and Ricke Wade (Jackie) of Alton, Missouri; and her daughter, Renetta Wade Peterson (Shayne) of West Plains, Missouri; seven grandchildren: Denver Wade (Lisa), Lacy Fox (Rick), Johna Aikey (Jake), Summer Freeman (Matthew), Sydney Colbert (Levi), Stone Peterson, and Shayleeana Peterson; fifteen great-grandchildren: Memphis, Monroe, Marshall, and Merida Wade, Rylie,Stetson, Sawyer, and Tennison Fox, Huxley and Avett Freeman, Maverick and Draxton Wade, Posey Colbert; and Jaycee Mae and Jocee Aikey; one sister, Virginia Puckett; two sisters-in-law, Wilma Joyce Puckett and Wilma Jean Puckett; and several nieces and nephews.
Mrs. Wade is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, one grandson, Zayne LeeAdam Peterson, four sisters, Dora Lloyd, Goldie Puckett, Helen Ferrell, and Georgie Midyett, and three brothers, Connie Puckett, Howard Puckett Jr., and Ralph Puckett.
Memorial contributions may be made to Elk Creek Cemetery, and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 W. Main St., West Plains, Missouri. Online condolences may be left at www.robertsondrago.com
