Ruth Marie Upham-Tyson

Manhattan, KS Ruth Marie Upham-Tyson Ruth Marie Upham-Tyson, 88, of Raytown, Missouri, passed away Sunday, August 5th. Ruth M. Brown was born in Geary County, Kansas on January 5, 1924, the daughter of the late Ada M. (Grey) Brown and Joseph A. Brown. She was preceded in death by Dr. Roy Upham, Jack Tyson and her longtime companion Howard Cook. Ruth graduated from Junction City High School and attended Kansas State University. Ruth retired from the Screen Advertising Sales at Universal Images Kansas City, but had lived in the Chicago area and was the owner of Executive Advertising; she had worked as a model and an actress in the Los Angeles area. She was crowned the National Rodeo Queen, worked with Will Rogers during the 1940's, was crowned Miss Southern California Contour, was a runner-up in the Miss Southern California Brownett Contest, was a model on many magazine covers, was a spokesperson for Wynn Pharmaceuticals in the 1940's, she was a dancer at the Copacabana in New York with the 'Rat Pack', was a model on the television show 'Queen For The Day', was a debut host for the 'Penny Wise Show' in Kansas City. During the 1950's she became a buyer for the US Navy Exchange while her husband Dr. Roy Upham was in the service. Ruth was always an animal lover and contributor to their causes. She is survived by her nephews; Stephen Brown and Eric Brown both of Springfield, Missouri; Brian Brown of Eureka Springs, Ark; a niece, Carla Stanley of Temple Texas; also survived by two great nieces, Amber Wiens & Heather Stanley; family friend, Jay Cook & family; cousins, Jane Brown, Bart Brown and Junior Schwab. Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, husbands, and companion; sisters Josephine Brown Ellas and a brother, Harold Brown. Friends are invited to call Tuesday from 9:00am to 8:00pm at the Irvin-Parkview Funeral Home & Cremation. A graveside service will be held at 10:00am on Wednesday, August 8th, with Pastor David Pape officiating at the Liberty Cemetery, west of Upland, KS.