04/23/2026
RUBY ESTELLEN BRADEN
Ruby Estellen Braden, 104, of Richmond, passed away Wednesday, April 22, 2026, at Shirkey Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Richmond.
Ruby was born on March 30, 1922, in Glasgow, the daughter of Henry Lewis and Bertha Ellen (Phillips) Cazzell. She was united in marriage to Fred Herbert Braden of Jefferson City on May 18, 1940; he preceded her in death on March 26, 2001.
Survivors include: two sons, Fred Wayne (Patsy) Braden of Osborn and Kenneth David Braden of Virginia Beach, VA; two daughters, Barbara Jean (Donald) Vanderlinden of Kansas City and Helen LaVerne (Terry) Smart of Polo; 10 grandchildren: Jeremiah “Miah” (Paul) O’Neill, Mandy Vanderlinden, Dana (Randy) Smart-Mansell, Jonathan Smart, Scott (Morgan) Smart, Michael Braden, Toni Braden, Jeffrey Braden, Crystal Braden, and Sabrina (Max) Garcia-Rubio; 19 great-grandchildren; and 10 great-great-grandchildren.
In addition to her parents and husband, Ruby was preceded in death by her brother, Virgil Henry Cazzell.
Ruby was raised and educated in Glasgow. She lived a long and blessed life of 104 years, centered on her unwavering faith and deep love for her family. She devoted herself as a wife, mother, and homemaker, faithfully caring for those she loved, while also working as a seamstress for H.D. Lee in Kansas City and later for Lee Wald.
A woman of steadfast faith, Ruby became a born-again child of God in May of 1938 and was baptized in June of that same year, reaffirming her faith through baptism again in September of 1986. Her relationship with the Lord was the cornerstone of her life. She served faithfully in the churches she attended as a youth Sunday school teacher, adult Bible class teacher, and song leader, sharing her love of Christ with those around her.
Ruby’s greatest joy was her family. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were truly the light of her life, and she treasured every moment spent with them. She found happiness in the simple and beautiful things—gardening, decorating her home for each season, and arranging flowers, all of which reflected the warmth and care she carried in her heart.
After a life so richly lived in faith and love, she leaves behind a legacy that will continue through the many lives she touched. She will be deeply missed by her family and all who knew her.
The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Faith Assembly of God Church in Polo. They can be left at or mailed to Thurman Funeral Home, 507 East Main Street-P.O. Box 190, Richmond, MO 64085.
Visitation with funeral services will be held on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at Thurman Funeral Home in Richmond, with visitation beginning at 1:00 P.M., with services to follow at 2:00 P.M. Burial will be in Prairie Ridge Cemetery, west of Polo. Please remember to share your memories of Ruby with the family by visiting
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