Ruth Givens Obituary

GIVENS
Ruth Sill Rylander Givens

Ruth Givens was born in Boerne, Texas, on July 16, 1917 and passed away on January 5, 2010 in San Antonio, Texas. A descendant of the Founding Fathers of Kendall County, Ruth was the eldest child of Joseph E. and Erna Richter Sill. She was married to James B. Rylander for 45 years, with whom she raised three children. As a resident of San Antonio for 72 years, Ruth was a lifelong member of Los Angeles Heights Methodist Church and a dedicated employee of the San Antonio Independent School District Administrative Office for 25 years. She was married to Air Force Major Edward A. Givens from 1988 to 2000. Ruth is preceded in death by James B. Rylander Sr., Major Edward A. Givens, her son James B. Rylander Jr., three brothers and one sister. She is survived by daughter Carolyn Cloud and husband L.D. of Houston, Texas; daughter Mary Lynn Hollis and husband Loyd of Jenks, Oklahoma; brother Joseph E. Sill Jr. of Boerne, Texas; and six grandchildren (Carrie Cloud of New York City; Reagan James Rylander of Redding, California; Katie Hanson Burchart and husband Travis of Jenks, Oklahoma; Emily Rylander Meil and husband Gabe of San Francisco, California; Karen Elizabeth Rylander of Denver, Colorado; Julie Hanson Battaglia and husband Jason of Hoboken, New Jersey), two great grandchildren (Trace Benton Burchart and Isabella Kate Burchart), and numerous nieces and nephews. Ruth's stalwart love for her faith, family and friends centered a fruitful life in her beloved Texas Hill Country. She took immense pride in her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, and their diverse accomplishments in Law, Education, Architecture, Publishing, Business, Design, Culinary Arts, and even the Broadway stage. Ruth was passionate about cooking, baking, painting, ceramics, gardening and the art of sewing. She was an active member of United Methodist Women, the San Antonio Low Vision Club, Widows, Etcetera of Wayside Chapel, and Texas Retired Educators, as well as an Honorary Member of the Towne & Country Optimists Club of San Antonio. The family would like to extend their deepest appreciation to Dr. Robert Goff, as well as the staff of Methodist Hospital in San Antonio, Morningside Ministries at Menger Springs, and the US Renal Care Boerne. A viewing will begin at 1:00 pm on Friday, January 8, 2010 at Mission Park Funeral Chapels North. FUNERAL SERVICES
WILL BE HELD ON SATURDAY, JANUARY 9th AT 12:00 pm AT WAYSIDE CHAPEL IN SAN ANTONIO 1705 N.W. Loop 410
with interment to follow in Mission Park Burial Park North (20900 IH 10 West). A celebration of Ruth's life will then commence at the Tapatio Springs Golf Resort & Conference Center in Boerne (314 Blue Heron Boulevard). Contributions can be made to the American Kidney Fund or the American Foundation for the Blind. You may sign the online guestbook at www.missionparks.com, under the obituary section.

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Published by San Antonio Express-News from Jan. 7 to Jan. 8, 2010.

Memories and Condolences
for Ruth Givens

9 Entries

Eloy Arguello

January 23, 2010

I met Ruth Rylander Givens at work in 1971. She was the federal funds accountant for SAISD. She was a typically dedicated business office employee, having the responsibility of making quarterly reports for each grant awarded to us. Back then, the federal auditors visited quite often. She relished the opportunity to provide documentation for her reports. She, the business manger, Harry Stanford, and our federal compliance staff would meet with the auditors, and the reporting portion always passed. She was a good role model on how to conduct school business. She nicknamed me "Pup". In retirement, she was very supportive of a charity for retired educators. Ruth was blessed to have a long life, a sharp wit, and a keen mind; last year at a retiree luncheon she was asking me about 401k investments/strategies. My wife and I extend our condolences to the family.

Helen Dawson

January 14, 2010

I just hear of the passing of your Mom. My prayers are with you and your family. Ruth and I worked together many years at SAISD. She was a wonderful lady and a great friend.

January 10, 2010

My family, Bob and Vernelle DuBose, were members of Los Angeles Heights Methodist Church. Ruth and I shared the same birth date (July 16th). We always acknowledged our birthday through the years. I will miss her wonderful outlook on life, her love of family and friends. and her untiring trust in God.

Roberta DuBose Searls

Florence Brownfield

January 9, 2010

Ruth has always been my best friend and I miss her already. I wish I could have spent more time with her the last few years, but through Jan and Mira (my daughter and Maxine's daughter)I did keep up with her. And we had long phone conversations too. The admiration I had for Ruth is something I cannot describe. She was so special. I feel honored to have known someone with such a love for life.

Jason Lewis

January 9, 2010

Aunt Ruth , You will be missed greatly .You are with the best up their.....love and miss you , Jason Lewis and Family

Larry Power

January 9, 2010

Dear Carolyn, LD and Mary Lynn:

Janice told me this morning of the passing of your Mother. I remember her well from the old days. She was always such a vibrant person. My prayers are with you.

Sammy Zoeller

January 7, 2010

I first met Ruth when I was a child. I remember birthday parties for her daughter Mary Lynn, my age, when she lived near my mom and dad (Jimmy and Anita). Ruth and Mom and Dad were best friends from Boerne. I suppose it was nearly 80 years later when I met Ruth again at my Father's funeral, two years ago. At the conclusion of my father's Rosary, when the deacon asked if anyone wanted to speak, Ruth stood up and spoke for almost 15 minutes about her memories of my father, thier childhood and growing up, raising families in San Antonio, and more. She painted such vivid pictures in my mind, brought back memories I had forgotton, and shared experiences I could never have known about their early lives, in which my father was a friend, schoolmate, and neighbor. Feeling at the time such a loss in my heart for my father, like a gift Ruth filled in that void I was feeling with her stories, as if my father lived on. I knew she was a Gem, an absolute Angel. My mother smiled so big as Ruth spoke and refreshed my mom's memories too. It was so special to sense the connection they shared in their friendships, from the era they grew up in, in Boerne. I could never repay Ruth for what whe gave me that day to hold on to, with her stories, at a time when I felt I had lost so much. I was honored to be able to bring mom to visit with her several times over the last two years. I couldn't say enough about the joy Ruth seemed to give to my mother and to me in our visits at her house as she brought out pictures and newspaper clippings and recalled happy memories. I am saddened to hear of Ruth's passing. I am feeling such a loss now too. I told my mom about Ruth, and she responded "Oh no ...", as she realized she lost her friend. Ruth was special. My thoughts are with you and your family and friends. How honored I am to have reaquainted with her and see the love she had for her family and friends and for life. As I bring mom back to San Antonio in a couple of months, I will truely wish there was one more time to visit with Ruth again. Thank you so much, Ruth. May you rest in peace, and look down upon us all, and help us be safe. You will be missed.

January 7, 2010

ML, Loyd and Family,
What a lovely tribute about your mom. Wish I could be there for you like you were for me a month ago, but know that you are in our prayers. We love you.
Sarah and Cisco

January 7, 2010

Dear Carolyn and L.D.,
We are in Colorado now but read the obits in the paper today. You and the family are in our thoughts and prayers at this time.
T.M. and Carol

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