Cover photo for Ilah Wornall's Obituary
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1941 Ilah 2017

Ilah Wornall

December 29, 1941 — March 27, 2017

Ilah Ruth “Ruthie” Wornall

Ruthie Wornall, 75, passed away March 27, 2017. A visitation will be held from 4-6 pm Friday, March 31st at Overland Park Funeral Chapel, 8201 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park, KS. Funeral services will be 3:00 pm Saturday, April 1st at Emmanuel Baptist Church, 10100 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park, KS, burial to follow at Forest Hill Cemetery, Kansas City, MO.

Ruthie was born on December 29th, 1941 to Curtis Davis and Velora Copeland Davis in Harrison, Arkansas. She had a very happy childhood growing up on the family farm and spent much of her time in church with her family and extended family. She graduated from Harrison High School where she made lifelong friends.

Ruthie moved from Arkansas to attend college at Central Missouri State University where she received a Bachelor of Science in Education, a Master of Science in Education and a Degree of Education Specialist. She was an elementary and junior high school teacher for 17 years. She was a member of the Raytown Teachers Association as well as the DAR, the Native Sons and Daughters of Greater Kansas City, and the Friends of the Wornall House. After Ruthie retired from her teaching career she became a Cookbook author, most known for “The Three Ingredient Cookbook” which has sold over 550,000 copies. In addition to her Cookbook series, she has written mystery novels, Kansas City history novels and also a novel on Alzheimer’s. Ruthie made television appearances promoting her cookbooks and did many cooking demonstrations. She also wrote the food column for the Weston Chronicle for many years. She received awards from Marquis Who’s Who in America and Who’s Who in the World from 2009-2016, and in 2017 for Career success and longevity.

Ruthie received Jesus Christ as her personal Savior and was baptized at the Christian Missionary Alliance church in Cowell, Arkansas. She was a devout Christian and was involved in ministry throughout her adult life. For many years she volunteered in the nursing home ministry with Emmanuel Baptist Church. She would lead the worship music, Bible lesson and also Bible trivia for those who were patients. Her lively and warm personality brought a lot of joy to the residents. She was also involved in the Children’s and Youth ministry at Emmanuel Baptist where she would write and direct plays and scripts of Bible stories as a fun and exciting way for all to learn the Bible. Ruthie enjoyed her vacation home and friends in Guanajuato, Mexico, where she was an active member of the Conexion Arco Iris. She directed medical mission trips as well as volunteering at the orphanages bringing the children, toys, clothing, hugs and lots of love. She also spent time teaching ESL classes in Guanajuato as well as Emmanuel Baptist Church.

Ruthie is survived by loving husband of 43 years, James Wornall, daughter, Desiree (Victor) Rivas, son, John (Gwen) Wornall, grandchildren, JR, Derek, Jasmine, and Elijah.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Ilah Wornall, please visit our flower store.

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