Nora Ruth (Thomas) McMillen, 95 of Highlands Ranch and Colorado Springs, CO

Nora Ruth (Thomas) McMillen, of Highlands Ranch and Colorado Springs, CO, passed away July 13, 2021, at the age of 95.

Ruth was born January 22, 1926, in Monett, MO, to Fred and Nora Thomas, who preceded her in death. Also preceding her in death were her brothers; Joe, Earl, and Carl.

Ruth attended Monett Public Schools. After graduating from Monett High School in 1943, she worked as a phone operator for Bell Telephone Company, before getting married and starting a family.

On October 1, 1948, Ruth married Edward Lee McMillen (Ed) in Pueblo, Colorado. Ed preceded Ruth in death in 2008. Ruth and Ed had three daughters: Jeanne, Judy and Jill. Nora Jean (Jeanne) Vinson (Mike) and Judy Lee McMillen-Davis both preceded Ruth in death. Also preceding Ruth in death were: Brian Wilcox (grandson) and Barbara Caldwell and Mary Ruth Garringer (nieces).

Ruth and Ed were avid members of the Good Sam’s Camping Club and loved spending their winters in Arizona. Ruth was an avid listener of numerous books-on-tape, enjoyed crocheting, talking with family and friends on the phone, and watching Denver Bronco football games on TV. Ruth was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and aunt who was happiest when spending time with family and friends. She was a loving and caring person who always thought of others first.

Ruth’s memory will be cherished by her surviving and adoring family: daughter Jill Ruthann Curcio (Jim); seven grandchildren – Ryan Davis (Coral), Tamany Vinson-Bentz (Darnel), Jeffrey Davis (Katie), Jennifer and Jonathan Vinson, Avery and Anthony Curcio; her six great-grandchildren – Blaise and Nora Bentz, and Clark, Ellen, Grant, and Brooks Davis; her nieces/nephews – Roberta Lea, David and George Thomas, and Emma Joe Walker; her cousins – Joe Ann Jump and Bob Eden; and her numerous friends.

Graveside services will be held at 10:30am on Friday, July 23, 2021, at Dice Cemetery in Fairview, MO, under direction of McQueen Funeral Home in Wheaton.

Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to the Colorado Talking Book Library, 180 Sheridan Blvd., Denver, CO 80226-8101 or you can donate online, via this link: https://www.friendsofctbl.org/donationform.html

Visit www.fohnfuneralhome.com for online obituaries, guestbook and private condolences