Ruth Barbara Todd

Ruth Barbara Todd, aged 90, of Avon Park, Florida went to be with our Lord on Monday, December 2, 2024. Born on February 27, 1934 in Minatare, Nebraska, she was the daughter of the late E. George and Pauline B. (Aschenbrenner) Schnell and the beloved wife of the late Leamon “Lee” W. Todd for 66 years.

Ruth came from a large family. Her parents both lost previous spouses and together had a total of 13 children from those marriages, then went on to have 5 more children. Many nieces, nephews and their children reside in Nebraska, Arizona, Florida, and Canada.

In her teens, Ruth moved with her family from Nebraska to Avon Park, FL followed by a short time in upstate New York before settling permanently in the family home on Cornell street in Avon Park. After high school, Ruth returned to New York once again before coming back to Florida, where she met her future husband, Lee, the brother of her dear friend, Faye (Todd) Newsome of Avon Park. The happy couple married in 1956 after Lee returned from the Korean War. They lived in Thomasville, Georgia, before moving their young family to Sebring, Florida, later relocating to Florida’s West Coast, where Ruth continued her career in banking. Ruth and Lee enjoyed their retirement in Citrus Springs, FL, living closer to Ruth’s family. There, she worked in her local library, embracing her second career. In 2018, Ruth and Lee moved back to Avon Park to be near relatives and appreciate their hometown's tranquility.

An avid reader, Ruth completed 2-3 novels per week, with John Grisham being a favorite author. She subscribed to Reader’s Digest for many years, eagerly anticipating each new issue. Ruth also found joy in spending time with her family, vacationing in Hernando, FL, and Franklin, NC, solving crosswords and word games, playing solitaire on her laptop, watercolor painting, and golfing and boating in her earlier years.
Ruth is survived by her sons, Michael R. Todd (Sandra) of Apopka, FL, and Mark A. Todd of Nokomis, FL; her sister, Janice Jenkins (Dave) of Langley, BC; 8 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents, her loving husband Lee, and 16 siblings.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, December 16, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. with family receiving friends beginning at 10:30 a.m. at the Stephenson-Nelson Funeral Home in Avon Park, FL. Interment will follow in Bougainvillea Cemetery.

Funeral arrangements entrusted to:
Stephenson-Nelson Funeral Home
111 East Circle Street Avon Park, FL  33825
Online condolences may be left at:
www.stephensonnelsonfh.com