Alice Ann Baither Ruleman, 71 of Warrensburg, Missouri passed away Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at Western Missouri Medical Center in Warrensburg.

Alice was born December 22, 1954, in Miami, Florida, daughter of Roy Edward Baither and Jean Smallwood Baither.  She was raised in New Jersey and moved to Bradenton, Fl during her mid-teens. Alice graduated from high school in Manatee, Fl. and attended Manatee Junior College.  She attended the University of South Florida, then Emporia State where she earned her master's degree.  Alice later attended the University of Memphis, Crighton College and the Univ. of Central Missouri, where she earned her second master's degree. Just after college, she was full time with Youth for Christ. Her boss asked her to go to the airport to pick up a Youth for Christ travelling representative, a year later she was united in marriage to David Marion Ruleman in August of 1980. She got great joy when asked how they met. Her stock answer was, "I picked him up at an airport."

She was an artist like her mother. Her father retired from the military, as well as a schoolteacher. Alice was a university librarian by trade, working at Crighton College in Memphis and finishing her career at UCM as the Head Chair. Her hobbies included reading, gardening, flowers, cooking, hiking, camping, travelling all 50 states, straddling the US and Canada with Dave. She was also an avid dog lover and frequently volunteered to walk dogs. Alice had a great sense of humor, surely having a laugh at passing on April Fools Day.  She had many special lifelong friends all over the 4 corners of the United States.

Survivors include her husband, David; three stepsons: David Marion Ruleman, Jr.; Christopher "Chris" Paul Ruleman and Raymond Andrew "Andy" Ruleman; three grandsons: Brian Jeffrey "Coach" Ruleman; Timothy Adam Ruleman; John Trace Blackwell Ruleman; and her sister: Karen Baither Armstrong. She was preceded in death by her parents and a twin brother: Dwight Baither.

She was very proud of her grandson, Trace, who is to graduate from The United States Air Force Academy ranked in the upper 5% in May.

The wonderful staff of Oncology at WMMC have done amazing work to sustain a life at home for a long time. They were given praise continually.

There will be no services scheduled.

Arrangements entrusted to Williams Funeral Chapel in Warrensburg.