Zada Ruth

Grindstaff-Maupin

Zada Ruth Grindstaff-Maupin, born August 17, 1936, passed away on September 30, 2026, in Odessa, Missouri, leaving behind a lifetime of memories, laughter, faith, and love.

Born into humble beginnings near Pomme de Terre, Zada was the middle child of nine and the first-born girl. She attended Avery Grade School, a one-room schoolhouse, before continuing her education at Wheatland High School. Life taught her early how to be strong, resourceful, and independent—qualities that stayed with her throughout her 90 years.

After graduating from high school, Zada set out for the city with just $25 and a suitcase. She was a firecracker from the very beginning—spirited, determined, and never afraid to make her own way. She was also famously clean and tidy, taking pride in keeping things just so.

Music was always close to Zada's heart. She loved singing the old gospel hymns, and her beautiful voice earned her first place in a high school singing competition. Her faith was an important part of her life, and she loved her church and the comfort and fellowship it provided.

Zada had a gift for making people feel loved and welcome, and she did much of that through food. She loved to cook, and her kitchen was a place where people were welcomed, fed, and cared for. Filling bellies was her love language. She was an amazing chef and was especially known for making the best sweet tea. And no matter what the day brought, 2 p.m. was coffee time—with her coffee and four Hershey's Kisses.

She enjoyed the simple pleasures of life: playing cards with friends, square dancing, and bowling. She was a devoted Royals fan and loved cheering them on. She also had a need for speed, enjoying watching racing and riding in fast cars.

Her love of adventure took her across the country, and she proudly traveled to all 50 states. Some of her favorite memories were made with family during Thanksgiving trips to Colorado, where they enjoyed skiing, laughter, and time together.

Zada also had a special fondness for birds and collecting bells—little treasures that reflected her appreciation for beauty and the memories attached to the things she loved.

Above all, she was a woman of faith, family, strength, and character. She remained incredibly independent right up until the end, living life on her own terms with the same determination and spirit she had carried since her younger days.

She will be remembered for her strong personality, her generous table, her beautiful singing voice, her love of adventure, her spotless home, her sweet tea, her coffee and Hershey's Kisses, and most of all, the countless ways she made the people around her feel loved.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Cancer Action Kansas City or Coventry Estates Baptist Church.

Her passing was preceded by her parents, Lawrence and Cecil Kennedy; her first husband, Delbert Grindstaff; her second husband, Bill Maupin; and five brothers. Her legacy of love lives on through her siblings, Sue Sherman (Larry), Lee Kennedy (Carol), and Judy McDaniel (Chester), and children, Delbert “Dale” Grindstaff (Dawn), Richard “Rick” Grindstaff (Teresa), and Kerry Grindstaff (Cindy Pritchard); nine grandchildren, and fifteen great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.