Ruth Balfour

1918 - 2018

Balfour, Ruth 99, passed away on Sunday, April 15, 2018, at Brookdale Assisted Living in Spring Arbor, Rock Hill, South Carolina. Mrs. Balfour was born in Detroit, Michigan on December 10, 1918 to the late Jack and Helen Humble. Ruth made a name for herself in sports during her senior year at Marine City High School. She was the captain of the basketball team, which won every game three years in a row. In baseball, Ruth was the catcher for a remarkable team that also won every game two years in a row. The local journalist was impressed with how she showed up for a game with a black eye after being knocked out by a pitch in the previous game. At the age of 52, she decided to enter college to finally pursue her lifelong dream of becoming a nurse. Ruth was required to take an entrance exam before she could be accepted into college. Her English scores were off the charts due to her lifelong passion for reading. The college administrators were impressed with her level of reading and comprehension, which allowed her to start her nursing classes without taking any prerequisites (which was unprecedented). She completed school with honors and was quickly hired. Becoming a nurse gave her immense satisfaction and countless stories that she would tell with relish. The power of positive thinking became her mantra once she read Norman Vincent Peale's book of the same name. Ruth stayed positive no matter what came her way. It was a powerful testimony to her faith and trust in the Lord and determination to look at the positive side of everything. Her love of God was a thread that was woven into her everyday life. She would start her day with her favorite devotional (now all dog-eared and tattered) and a prayer book, often stopping to write down prayers in her journal for people that came to mind. Ruth was a good friend. She was also determined, focused, passionate and independent. She had an indomitable spirit that kept her going until the age of 99. She will be missed. Mrs. Balfour is survived by her son, John (Judy) Balfour of Rock Hill, SC; daughters, Bonnie (Erik) Schaeffer of Chesapeake, VA and Cindy Balfour of Portsmouth, VA; five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, John W. Balfour, and a son, Bruce Balfour. A Memorial service for Mrs. Balfour will be held on Friday, July 6, 2018 at 11:00 am with visitation from 10:00 am until the time of service in the Bower-Rose Funeral Home, Marine City. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 636 Hollis Lakes Rd., Rock Hill, SC 29732, in Ruth Balfour's name.