Obituary: Spears, Ruthe Louise
Age 93
She was born in Junction City, Kansas on September 20, 1920, the first of five children born to Phillip D. Abbott and Doris M. Davies Abbott.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her sisters Marjorie Zolman Hildebrand, E. Lucille Evans Borowski, H. Julia Lackey and her brother Joe Abbott; her daughter Vicki Garber; son-in-law Dennis Evans and daughter-in-law Angelika Spears.
She graduated from Davis High School in Yakima, WA and attended Lewiston Normal in Lewiston, ID.
She married Ralph D. Spears on June 24, 1942 in Kamiah, ID.
The family moved to Metaline, WA in 1947 and soon relocated to Ione.
Ruthe was a founding member of the Ione Baptist Church, a 50 year member of the IOOF Rebekah Lodge and a member of the Young at Heart Club.
Ruthe worked as a clerk with the USPS before completing her education at Eastern Washington University where she graduated Cum Laude in 1968 with a BA in Education.
She delighted in teaching kindergarten children and Sunday School classes.
She was a voracious reader who loved to laugh, sing and worship God.
She is survived by Sharyn Evans, Kent, WA; Charles Spears, Ione, WA; Mary Ryan, Murfreesboro, TN, Paula Suzanne (Glen) Griesemer, Roseville, CA; 13 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren and many nephews and nieces.
Funeral services will be held at the Ione Baptist Church, Ione, WA on Saturday, August 9th at 2PM; interment will follow at Riverside Cemetery in Ione.
Remembrances in her name may be made to Samaritan’s Purse, PO Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607.
SHERMAN-KNAPP FUNERAL HOME in Newport is in charge of arrangements.
Family and friends are invited to sign the online guest book at sherman-knapp.com