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Ruth Garner Obituary
She is survived by her husband of 64 years, Bill Garner; her children, Pam Smith of Longview, Debbie and husband, Ronny Maxey, of Tatum, and Russell Garner and wife, Vickie, of Burnet. Known and dearly loved as "Gim", she is also survived by three granddaughters and six grandsons, Molly Anthony and husband, Dustin; Kelli Whelan and husband, Mathew; Meagan Kiefer and husband, Jeff; Gregory Smith, Dewar Garner, Mason Garner, Miles Maxey, Ford Garner and Asa Garner. Her great-grandchildren are Aidan, Ashby and Ally Austyn Anthony; Kendal, Ava and Cole Whelan; and Kohen and Kasen Kiefer.
Lois Ruth Edrington Garner was born November 7, 1921, to Adolphus and Alan Sue Edrington in Corsicana, Texas. She graduated from the Corsicana State Children's Home, where both parents were employed. Ruth attended Hillsboro Junior College, and graduated from North Texas University with a BA in education. Her teaching profession began as a first-grade teacher in Wilmer Hutchins ISD, where she met and married Bill, who was the high school principal.
In 1968, the family moved to Longview and began their work and support of the Pine Tree ISD. She was a lifelong member of the Church of Christ.
Ruth will be remembered by family, neighbors and friends as one who loved life, took the time to "stop and smell the roses," enjoyed entertaining and decorating her home, traveling, working crosswords, helping friends or strangers in need and having all her family gather for any occasion. Her belief in the good of all mankind and her love for all people was admired by those who knew her best.
A chapel service will be 10 a.m. Thursday, August 18, 2011, at Welch Funeral Home. Family will receive friends one hour prior. Interment will be under the direction of Welch Funeral Home, with a family service at 11 a.m. Friday, August 19, 2011, in Lampasas, Texas.
An online registry may be signed at www.news-journal.com, by clicking on the obituaries link.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Judy West
August 11, 2020
When I look around my house I see items that remind me of Ruth. I have so many memories of my time with her in Longview. From the day she showed up when I was moving in with a pot of coffee and cups to the I moved away. Small items and actions of love good times. I miss my cousin Ruth
Johnny and Linda Gibson
August 23, 2011
Mr. Garner and family,
We are sorry for the loss of your lifelong love
Ruth. We send our deepest sympathy. May God comfort you all during this sad time.
August 23, 2011
Our condolences are with you and your family. May God bless you and keep you and the memories of your loved one forever in your heart.
Clarence & Charlotte Harwell Robertson
class '61 class '62
Mary Benton
August 19, 2011
I was so sorry to hear of great aunt Ruth's passing. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.
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Sally Hillin
August 19, 2011
Debbie and Family,
I was so sad to hear about your Mother. She was always so wonderful to me and made me feel at home when I visited Longview. I always think of her when my daugher and I make her Cherry Nut pie on special occasions. It will be even more special now.
Paula Bradley
August 18, 2011
Mr. Bill,
You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. I know you loved your Ruth and she loved you. That love transcends time and space. If I can do anything for you just let me know.
Penny White Hawkins
August 18, 2011
Keeping you in our prayers.
Anne Boggs Bryant
August 18, 2011
I loved Ruth! She just had a way of making my troubles disappear so long ago. My thoughts and prayers are with all the family.
Becky White
August 18, 2011
Debbie,
I am so sorry to hear about the passing of your mom. She was a very nice lady. My prayers are with you and your entire family.
Becky Stoker White
Chaplain Larry Tyler
August 18, 2011
On behalf of all of the staff at Heartsway Hospice, I extend condolences to the family of Ruth Garner. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time of grief. May God comfort you with unshakeable faith and with blessed memories. The grandchildren did a great job at funeral, as did the minister.
"Sleepy" and Sandra Reynolds
August 17, 2011
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
August 17, 2011
My prayers are with all the family of "Gypsy" as I knew her.
She was a second mother to me when I was growing up. I have fond memories of her as a kind and loving person.
God Bless You All,
Karen Whitten Merwald
Omaha, NE
Mary Whitten-Durham
August 17, 2011
Another angel to watch over us! What a wonderful person Ruth was. She was one of my mother's best friend. Such blessings we have had in our friendship over the years.
Please find peace in the knowledge that everyone will be keeping you and your family in our prayers.
Much love,
Jayme Whitten
August 17, 2011
Dear Bill and family,
For 65 years Ruth was such a dear friend to us. We loved her so much. She will be missed. We will keep you and your family in our prayers.
Bob and Jayme Whitten
Bella Vista, Ark
Mike Moore
August 17, 2011
My Condolences to the Garner family....great friends and neighbors.
August 17, 2011
Our prayers are with you and your family. Bud and Darene Fuller
Past Students of Wilmer Hutchins
Lee Watts
August 17, 2011
Our condolences to the Garner family - a family that enriched and molded the lives of thousands of young adults. We were all blessed to have had the priviledge of having Mr and Mrs Garner as part of our lives.
Grace McKinney
August 17, 2011
It was my joy to know and love Ruth for those years when she first came to Pine
Tree and when retirements came, we sort of lost touch, but thoughts of her and Bill came to mind often. My condolences to all of Ruth's family.
Charlie Faye Miller Carter Cooper
August 17, 2011
What lovely memories I have of your family and your many kindnesses.
Amy Henson
August 17, 2011
Dear Garner Family,
I will always remember Mrs. Garner had a smile and a hug for me. She was such a light in this world and will be truly missed. Thank you for sharing her with us.
With Love,
Amy Morrison Henson
Richard and loraine Redmon
August 17, 2011
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family
August 17, 2011
Our thought n prayers are with you n your family at this time. Peggy Gilley Hobbs class 61 and Ray also class of 60
Gay Scroggins Hunt
August 17, 2011
My condolences and prayers are with the family , Mr. Garner was a really great principal, I didn't know his wife ruth. Gay Scroggins Hunt
Bill Lemmon
August 17, 2011
Ruth and Bill Garner have brought friendship, guidence, and education to thousands of students. Ruth had a life well-lived. The best to Bill and his family.
Roland and Nancy Lindsey
August 17, 2011
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the family.
Richie Russell
August 17, 2011
Mr. Garner:
My thoughts of you and Ms Garner go back to that summer of 1956. I helped you landscape your new yard. You prepared me for college algebra and Ms Garner and the girls fed us. She was so beautiful and kind. What a pleasant memory.
God Bless
Richie Russell
Class of 1956.
August 17, 2011
You will be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.
With much love to all
Janice Bowen Cadenhead
Class of 57 WHHS
David and Pam Turange
August 17, 2011
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
David and Pam Turnage
August 17, 2011
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Ronnie & Patsy Morrison
August 17, 2011
Bill,Debbie and family,
So sorry to hear of the loss of Ruth. She was a lovely lady and will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
Judy West
August 17, 2011
When I moved to Longview in 1970, Ruth, my first cousin once removed (as she taught me) showed up at my new house to help me move in. And - true to form - she brought a coffee pot and cups. I hadn't seen her in years and don't know how she knew I was moving in - but there she was ----all smiles and helpfullness. I will always remember the large - but mostly the small - things she did to help and support me. What a wonderful, loving person she was......what a light in my life. She was a blessing to all who knew her.
Kathy & Les Baumgardner
August 17, 2011
Our thoughts & prayers are with your family.
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