Rue Anna Stark (Firkins)

Rue Anna Stark, 87, Independence, MO passed away Feb. 24, 2015. Services will be 10 am, Monday, March 2 at Fairmount Christian Church, 641 South Ash Avenue, Independence, MO 64053; interment at Woodlawn Cemetery. Visitation will be 3-5 pm, Sunday at Carson-Speaks Chapel, 1501 W. Lexington Ave., Independence, MO 64052. Rue Anna was born June 17, 1927 in Kansas City, MO and graduated from Northeast High School. She was a school bus driver for thirteen years until her retirement in 1979. She was very active in her church at Fairmount Christian where she served as conductor of the “Joy Belles” bell choir for over 40 years. She was also a member of the Red Hat Society and a charter member of the local chapter of the Christian Motorcycle Association. She was a collector of earrings and bells and enjoyed activities at the Fairmount Senior Center. Rue Anna was preceded in death by her husband Albert C. Stark, brothers Lorrain, Lynn and Lee Firkins. She is survived by daughter Marcia Brunson and husband Ted, Independence, MO; son Jim Stark and wife Elaine, Lebanon, MO; daughters Mary Conn and husband Charlie, Sacramento, CA; Kathleen Putnam and husband Danny, Belton, MO: grandchildren April Foster and husband Adam, Edgerton, MO; Scott Stark and companion Jenny Martinez, Independence, MO; Chad Stark and companion Jessica Wilson, Atherton, MO; Steven Putnam and wife Jacquelyn, Blue Springs, MO; Jeff Putnam and wife Stephanie, Sugar Creek, MO: ten great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson. In memory of Rue Anna, the family encourages memorial contributions be made to one of the following: Fairmount Christian Church, 641 South Ash Avenue, Independence, MO 64053; Fairmount Outreach Pantry, 800 S Hardy Ave, Independence, Missouri 64053; or Fairmount Community Center, NW Communities Development Corporation, 217 S. Cedar Avenue, Independence, MO 64052.