Ruth R. Millington, 89, of Advance passed away Friday, February 9, 2018, at her home.

She was born December 23, 1928, near Pyletown in southern Stoddard County, Missouri, the daughter of Floyd E and Myrtle Ivy Hallmark Williams. 

Ruth was Chairman of the Board of the Bank of Advance and an active member of the Advance United Methodist Church where she taught Sunday school for many years.   She served in numerous civic clubs and organizations including the Wednesday Night Study Club, Methodist Women’s Quilters, Advance Public School Foundation, Advance PTA/PTO and the Board of Education of the Advance R4 School District.

She grew up on a farm south of Pyletown, attended Ivester School until the 8th grade and later graduated from Dexter High School in 1946.  After graduating she moved to Michigan to work for a period of time before returning to Missouri.  

She met Harold M. Miles on September 27, 1954, and they later married on February 18, 1959, in Mobile, Alabama, and had three children making a home in Advance.  Mr. Miles passed away on July 10, 1969, leaving his banking businesses, including the Bank of Advance, to Ruth and their children.  She then began her career as a banker, learning the business with the goal of preserving it for her children.  She spent the remainder of her life actively involved in the bank working closely with her children as they established themselves as bankers.

She married Wayne Millington on June 17, 1971, at Mountain View, Missouri.  From this union Ruth became a stepmother to Wayne’s four children. They established a home in Advance with her children and Wayne’s two sons.  She was an avid supporter of the Advance community with a special affection for attending all of the events of her children and grandchildren, particularly basketball and volleyball games.

Survivors include her husband Wayne Millington, a daughter, Melinda (Jim) Rainey, two sons, Harold (Paula) Miles Jr. and Neil (Cindy) Miles, all of Advance, Missouri; four stepchildren, Connie (William) Churchill of Dexter, Missouri; Janet (Gale) Cardwell of Liberty, Missouri; Tom (Jan) Millington of Springfield, Missouri; Steve (Julie) Millington of Sikeston, Missouri; 19 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Clyde Williams, sister Mildred Williams and granddaughter Faith Miles.

Visitation will be held from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, February 13, 2018 at Morgan Funeral Home in Advance. 

Funeral will be at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 14, 2018 at the Advance United Methodist Church.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Advance United Methodist Church, 202 N Oak Street, Advance, MO  63730.