Ruth Elizabeth Lamb

Ruth Elizabeth Harlan Lamb died August 4, 2021 at Kansas City Hospice House. She was born in Kansas City, Missouri on May 11, 1932, the middle child of JW (Wayne) Harlan and Elizabeth Sims Harlan. She graduated William Chrisman High School as Valedictorian in 1950 and third in her class at Central Missouri State College in 1954. She was married for ten years to Dale Lamb and they had two children. Ruth taught junior high art in the Independence School District from 1954-1957 and elementary art in the Blue Springs R-IV District from 1964-1991.

She was active in the First Presbyterian Church of Independence for more than 60 years and also volunteered for Cancer Action and Harvesters. Ruth was a member of Chapter KN P.E.O., Delta Kappa Gamma and Heartland Lettering Arts Guild. She was known for her many artistic pursuits including designing her own Christmas cards for more than 50 years.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Virginia Harlan Hess and her brother William (Bill) Harlan.

She was devoted to her family and will be missed by daughter Kathryn Brick (Rex), son Michael Lamb (Paula), grandchildren Jared Brick, Caitlin Hurd (Andrew), Sarah Lamb, Ashley Lamb and Alexis Lamb, and great-grandchildren Gordon Wayne Brick, Tanner James (TJ) Hurd and Hannah Elizabeth Hurd, as well as nieces Susanne Moon, Robin Hess, Nancy Haupt, Johanna Houts, Jennifer Beidinger, nephew Joe Harlan, sister-in-law Mary Harlan and numerous Sims and Harlan cousins.

Memorial donations may be made to First Presbyterian Church (100 N. Pleasant St., Independence MO 64050), Cancer Action (4010 S. Lynn Court, Independence MO 64055) or The Harlan Family in America Association. A Celebration of Ruth’s Life will be held at the First Presbyterian Church in Independence, Missouri on Saturday, August 28, at 2 pm. A private family burial will be held at Mt. Washington Cemetery the day before. The family will receive guests beginning at 1 pm on August 28th and also after the service. Because of the re-emergence of COVID we ask that attendees wear masks to protect themselves and others.