Ruth Sook Pridgeon

Ruth Sook "Ooche" Pridgeon Holt October 2, 1974 May 11, 2010 The moment when Sparty took the dance floor at Ruth and Jeff's wedding, is when she smiled that patented Ruth Pridgeon smile. She looked into her husband's eyes and eased into her role as a loving wife, dedicated step mother and the angel that we all grew to know and love. Ruth "Ooche" Pridgeon was only 35 when she went to be with the Lord on May 11, 2010. Ruth was born in Seoul, South Korea and came to live with her parents Deleski and Cheri Smith when she was 3. Ruth grew up in Charlotte, MI with her two brothers Matthew and Shawn, her 2 sisters Elizabeth and Andrea and her half sister Debra Silva. She was a loving aunt to Josh, Jake, Joey, Henry, Charlie, Morgan and Alexis. After graduating from Charlotte High School in 1992, Ruth attended Lansing Community College, Western Michigan University and Michigan State University, the latter from which she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Education, with an emphasis in Math. She recently became an honorary Alumni of Central Michigan University's Educational Technology program. Lansing Community College had given Ruth her Associates degree in Drafting Technology, and she became a drafter for Dart Container in Mason where she met her beloved husband Jeff in 2001. Jeff and Ruth were married in Williamston, MI in August of 2004. Ruth became a dedicated and loving stepmother to Jason Thomas Pridgeon. Ruth is Jeff's love and strength, and a continued source of courage and faith for all of us. Ruth continued her education thru Michigan State, and became a 6th Grade teacher at Hope Middle School in Holt. She helped start the Girls on the Run Program and was a varsity cross country and track coach for Holt High School. Ruth specialized in mathematics and was a dynamic teacher and co-worker whose spirit will be deeply missed by the students and staff of Holt Schools. Ruth was a huge Spartan fan who regularly attended Spartan Basketball and Football games. She loved to run, and was known for her cooking and gardening skills. She also loved knitting, shopping and spending time being a successful deer hunter. Her desire to help others was unmatched. Her energy and determination made her well respected in her professional and her personal life. She was an angel of peace and she made this world a better place. Ruth Pridgeon was a biblically sound individual and a faithful Christian. She successfully completed her bucket list after being diagnosed with cancer in February of 2010. She passed away at home in the loving care of Jeff and her family. She lived a simple life full of fun, family and friends. She made us laugh and will forever keep us complete. The Funeral Service was held Saturday, May 15, 2010, at the Margaret Livensparger Holt High School Auditorium with Rev. Jerry Jones officiating. The Pridgeon and Smith family are requesting that anyone interested in making a financial donation on Ruth's behalf, in lieu of flowers, consider the Pancreatic Cancer Organization (www.pancan.org) or the Holt Athletic Booster Club. Condolences can be sent to the family at www.palmerbush.com.