Neva Agnes Ragsdale

Neva Agnes Ragsdale, daughter of the late James Grant and Emma May (Frisby) Nail, was born on July 2, 1912 in Greeley, Franklin County, Kansas, and passed away on January 2, 2015 in Houston, Missouri surrounded by her family . She was 102 years and 6 months of age.

Neva was raised in a very unique, blended family. Ralph, Sylvia, Beulah, Gerald, Goldie, Nina, Alberta, Nadine and Neva were all brothers and sisters born to the same father, but due to the death of Emmas sister, different mothers. The children were taught and raised as one family and it showed by the love they all shared.

When she was a small child, her family moved to Missouri. Growing up she attended a few different schools: Brushy Knob, Fowler, Mount Zion, and Gravel Point. In the 1920s, many children were not able to finish school, but Neva finished and graduated from Mountain Grove High School.

In 1931, Neva was united in marriage to Ray Ragsdale. One son was born to this union: Raymond Gene. Neva and Ray moved to Springfield, Missouri, where Ray enrolled in Missouri State University. While Ray earned his teaching degree, Neva also enrolled in some college courses. She always wished she had earned a degree in interior design. She continued to decorate and move things around her house until she was no longer able.

As Ray taught and farmed, Neva was a homemaker and cared for Raymond Gene. Neva took up quilt making and became quite the expert. Many of her relatives have a beautiful quilt that they will cherish forever. She would never give herself credit, but she was also a wonderful cook. Her canned pickles, beets, homemade rolls, divinity, and German chocolate cakes will be missed.

Neva was very excited to have her son Raymond Gene and his wife, Wanda, move to the farm, where they began dairy farming. In the early 1970s, she helped with feeding the calves, as long as she could. When she lost her beloved Ray on December 6, 1985, she was glad to have Raymond Gene and Wanda right there to take care of her. Neva continued living on the farm. She loved the Ozarks, being outside, and caring for her flowers and garden.

Neva lived through the most astonishing times. There have been 17 presidents, 2 World Wars, horse and buggies to automobiles, steam engines to Amtrak trains, sonic jets, a man walking on the moon, mailing letters to text messages and emails. But for Neva, the best part was the Kodak on a phone. She was amazed how you could take a picture and show her immediately.

Many years ago, Neva accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior and was later baptized in the Piney River near Bado, Missouri. Her body finally has given up, but her spirit will always be alive. Neva lived life as an example to all of us as a committed Christian, loving God above all. God provided her with a wonderful long life. She has already been reunited with her beloved Ray. We will miss her, but someday we will be reunited again.

Besides her parents, Neva was preceded in death by her loving husband: Ray Ragsdale; and many beloved family members.

Neva is survived by her son: Raymond Gene and his wife, Wanda; 2 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; 10 great-great-grandchildren; her sister: Nadine Wallace of Flora, Illinois; and a host of other family and friends.


Visitation: Saturday, January 10, 2015 from 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm at Craig-Hurtt Funeral Home.

Funeral Service: Saturday, January 10, 2015 at 1:00 pm at Craig-Hurtt Funeral Home.

Burial: Hillcrest Cemetery, Mtn. Grove, MO

Memorial Contributions: Houston House Nursing Center, Houston, MO in c/o the funeral home.