Colleen Ryals Obituary

Mildred Colleen Ryals, 89, passed away peacefully at home in Potosi, Missouri on Saturday, July 12, 2025 surrounded by family. Colleen was born on March 21, 1936, in Milan, MO, the first child of Edward 'Glen' and Margaret 'Iolene' (Harmon) Black. She attended school in Green City with her only sister Glenda 'Jean' until the family moved to Unionville in 1953 where she attended Unionville High School and graduated with the class of 1954.
Colleen married Gerald Rene 'Whitey' Ryals December 26, 1955 at First Baptist Church in Unionville. They made their home in Unionville and were married 63 years until he passed away February 7, 2019. Whitey had joined his father in Ryals Oil Company and Supreme Cattle Company. Even before they married Colleen joined him in traveling to deliver gasoline to surrounding gas stations. They later had a station on East Main St. The family raised Angus and then Chianina cattle, being members of the American Angus Association. They later discovered their love for exotic animals. Colleen was a member of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority receiving the honorary degree of Order of the Rose. She and Whitey were on bowling leagues and enjoyed playing cards with friends.
Colleen began painting around 1965 and became quite an exceptional artist. She met with a group of ladies on Wednesdays to paint and learned to use various mediums including oil, acrylic, watercolor, chalk, and alcohol ink. They began meeting in Mildred Shelton's home, then Lake Thunderhead, and now in the Catholic Church basement. She enjoyed going to critiques and displaying her work at the Putnam County Fair. She also had her work displayed in the Bixler Building a few years ago. The group continues to meet on Wednesdays although the faces are different now.
In recent years she volunteered with First Christian Church to work at the Bargain Barn where it's said she could work circles around the younger women.
Colleen loved Jesus and was baptized at First Christian Church in Unionville October 17, 1971. She loved her Church and the special women in the Tuesday morning Bible Study. After her move to Potosi she enjoyed attending White Oak Grove Missionary Baptist Church.
Colleen led a full active life with daily walks in the City Park with her dog Miko, church on Sundays, Bible Study on Tuesdays, 20 Odd Club on the first Tuesday of the month, Painting on Wednesdays, Bargain Barn every other Thursday, and music at the Bixler Building on Friday evenings. She also loved eating out, especially with friends, then relaxing on her front porch reading or doing crossword puzzles. Due to health issues, she moved to live with her daughter in Potosi but always enjoyed her visits back to Unionville.
Colleen's memory is being honored by her children, Denise Malloy and husband Calvin of Potosi, MO; Mark Ryals of Spring Branch, TX; and Monty Ryals and wife Marla of Unionville, her sister Jean and husband Bobby K. Jones, Livonia, MO; her 11 grandchildren Ryan McCormack and wife Laura, Jake Malloy and wife Tiffany, Bryce Malloy and wife Adriene, Talon Ryals, Zack Ryals and wife Krysta, Aimee Ryals and fiancé John Byers, Ashley Cullor and fiancé Michael McCormick, Brody Ryals, James Holliday and fiancé Desiree Schoonover, Hali Kline, Jessica Ryals and fiancé Aaron VanHoutan, and her 20 great-grandchildren Sierra, Magnum, and McKenzie McCormack, Asante, Aly, Ada, and Anaya Malloy, Olivia and Amora Malloy, Cassidy, Cole, and Levi Ryals, Dylan Ryals, Landen Cullor, Hannah and Levi McCormick, Emery Ryals, Jasper VanHoutan, Brylee and Scarlett Kline, as well as her great-great-granddaughter Antoinette 'Nichole' Allen.
Colleen is also survived by sisters and brothers-in-law Margaret Harmison, Joanne Davis, Phil Comstock, Darlene Ryals, Ronnie Ryals and wife Vicki, Debbie Mathews and husband Keith, Sherry Huffman, and many nieces and nephews who will miss her dearly.
In addition to her husband, parents, and parents-in-law, Colleen was preceded in death by brothers and sisters-in-law Carl Luse and Marjorie Luse Butler, John Robert Ryals (in infancy), Richard and Shirlee Ryals, Truman Ryals and Jolene Ryals Powell, Ron Harmison, Paddy Joe Davis, Jack and Shirley Kay Comstock, Roger Ryals, and Philip Huffman.
A memorial service is planned for August 8 at 4:00 pm with visitation at 3:00 pm at Thomas Funeral Home in Unionville. Private burial in the Unionville Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the Ministerial Alliance for the Bargain Barn and may be entrusted to the Thomas Funeral Home, 709 S. 27th St., Unionville, MO 63565.
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