Nita Ruth Purcell

Nita Ruth Pace Purcell was born on August 8, 1949, to Robert Truman and Alcie Ellen Davis Pace at Boone County Hospital in Columbia, Missouri. She left her earthly home on December 6, 2025, at the age of 76.

Ruthie attended Southern Boone schools until the family moved to Mexico, Missouri where she graduated from Mexico High School in 1967. She attended Burge Nursing School in Springfield, Missouri, and graduated in 1970, with a Registered Nurse certification.

She continued to live in Springfield where she raised a family and worked in a variety of nursing areas, eventually specializing in Hospice Care.

After her children were grown, Ruthie made her way back home to be with her childhood sweetheart, Mike Purcell. They were married in 1999, and Ruthie began her final medical career at St. Mary’s Hospital in Jefferson City.

Survivors include her husband, Mike Purcell of the home; son, Bryon Olin Cossairt (wife Heather Spurrier) of Springfield; grandson, Atticus Cossairt; step-granddaughter, Sativa Starr Wallace; stepson, Mike Purcell, Jr. of Ashland; brother, William Russel Pace of Centralia; sisters, LaVerne Black of Columbia, Joetta Strand of Michigan and Martha Ellene Vanskike of Mexico and a plethora of nieces, nephews and their children.

She was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Stephanie Lin Cossairt; brother, Robert Davis “Pete” Pace and sisters, Rexene Boren and Saralyn Pace.

Graveside services will be held at 2:00 PM, Saturday, December 13, 2025, at New Liberty Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery, 4200 E. Liberty Lane in Ashland, Missouri with Pastor John Anderson officiating.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Ruthie’s memory to the American Cancer Society.

Condolences may be shared at www.robinsonyagerfh.com.

Robinson-Yager Funeral Home is honored to serve Ruthie’s family.