Ruth Ives Bennett

1919 - 2005

Ruth Ives Bennett, 86, a loving wife, sister and aunt, died peacefully Thursday morning, June 30, 2005, at a local hospital.

Funeral: 11 a.m. Saturday in the chapel at Robertson Mueller Harper. The Rev. Richard F. Winkelman, pastor of Faith Lutheran Church, will officiate. Burial: Following committal prayers, Ruth will be laid to rest in Greenwood Memorial Park. Visitation: She will lie in state Friday at the funeral home, where her family will receive friends 5 to 7 p.m.

Bearers of her casket will be Claude Humphries, Mike McCluney, Aaron Nelson, Jason Perkins, Brandon Spurgeon and Eddy Spurgeon.

Memorials: Mrs. Bennett's family respectfully suggests that memorial contributions may be made in her name to Faith Lutheran Church, Fort Worth; St. Andrew Christian Church, Arlington; or the American Cancer Society.

A native and lifelong resident of Fort Worth, Margaret Ruth Ives was born April 20, 1919, the daughter of William H. and Winifred Pennick Ives. She was a 1936 graduate of Central High School, now R.L. Paschal.

On Feb. 8, 1944, Ruth married Paul S. Bennett, who at the time was stationed at Fort Hood. Although the couple had no children, they were like parents and grandparents to the children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren of her sisters.

Ruth loved her family and relished their frequent get-togethers. She was always ready to help others and displayed her Christian beliefs with her kindness to all around her. She loved people and was very protective of friends and family.

She was a faithful and longtime member of Faith Lutheran Church. When Ruth wasn't involved with family functions, reading and working crossword puzzles were her next favorite activity.

In addition to her parents, Ruth was preceded in death by her sister, Reva Sproles; nephew, William Bunnie Griffin; and niece, Jeannie Griffin.

Survivors: Husband of 61 years, Paul S. Bennett; sisters, Mary Ann Griffin and Vivian Nelson, all of Fort Worth; nephews, David Griffin and his wife, Judy, Mike Griffin and his fiancee, Elizabeth Dominy, Terry Nelson and his wife, Pat, and Larry Nelson; nieces, Kathy Stafford and Connie Davenport; several great-nieces and great-nephews; and several great-great-nieces and great-great-nephews.