Ruth Eileen Parsons

Ruth Eileen Parsons

88, of Melba, died Tuesday, January 27 at St. Alphonsus Hospital, Boise, ID

Ruth was born April 3, 1937 in Youngstown, Ohio to Herbert and Alice (Jones) Meredith

She was the first in her family to be born in a hospital. She was born into a family that housed her mother

Alice, her father Herbert, her grandfather Samuel Thomas Jones, her two brothers Bob and Norman.

In 1941, when Ruth was 3 years old her father died, then one month later her grandfather died. In less than 1

year a household of 6 went down to a household of 2 when her two brothers Bob and Norm went off into the

Navy for World War II. Ruth was raised as an only child.

While still in high school Ruth went to trade school in accounting, she graduated high school in 1955, then

finished trade school 2 weeks after graduating. After High School Ruth supported herself financially by

working for the local A&P, on the comptometer (accounting machine). Ruth attended Youngstown University

in General Engineering (Math and Science) at night for three years. For one year Ruth attended Ohio State for

medical technology. In the 4th year it was required to work in the lab at the hospital for 1 year, but Ruth had

no other means to support herself and could not take the year off without pay, so she couldn't finish. During

the year at Ohio State she went to live with Bob her brother in Columbus Ohio. 1959, Ruth met the man of

her life Doug and were married, May 1. They were married in Youngstown, Ohio at Mahoning United Methodist

church. Doug was in the Air Force and Ruth became a military wife. Her son David was born in 1960 in

Columbus, Ohio and her daughter Deborah was born in 1962 in Greenville, South Carolina.

1965 Ruth ran the military thrift store at Hunter's AFB in Savannah Georgia.

1967 Doug's squadron moved to San Bernardino CA, Norton AFB, during these years, Doug and Ruth

purchased a restaurant the Guadalajara Inn, a Mexican restaurant in Redlands CA. They traveled to Europe

and Asia. 1973 Ruth and Doug were transferred to Mountain Home, Idaho. 1974 Ruth obtained their realtor's

license and created a corporation purchasing real estate. They managed several properties in Mountain Home.

1976 Doug retired out of the Air Force and they went on to purchase MacroDynamics of Idaho and Chambers

Scales and moved to Nampa into the house they spent months designing. 1979 They purchased the Boise

Foundry and ran the business for 42 years.

1985 they sold the Nampa house and moved into the house Doug and his dad built in 1950. Ruth has been

part of the Melba community and loved attending the Baptist Church of Melba Idaho, being a faithful dedicated

member and served the church in many capacities, creating their weekly bulletins and taking minutes for

their annual meetings. She also served and was instrumental at helping to develop the Historical Museum of

Melba and faithfully served on the board, categorized many historic items and taking notes for their meetings.

She also was involved with computer clubs, and a Women in Networking business group. Many trips were

made to Tucson, Arizona to visit a niece and attend the Tucson Gem Show (her favorite yearly trip) to support

her jewelry business. 2006 They moved the foundry to Melba, closed the Foundry doors September 30, 2021.

Ruth finally retired to pursue her love of painting and jewelry making. She went on to continue doing craft

shows and entering her jewelry and art in the Western Idaho Fair for 3 years and receiving first place ribbons.

2009 Doug and Ruth Celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary in the Community Baptist Church in Melba

2014 Doug and Ruth were Citizen of the year, Melba 4th of July, then in August Doug passed

away. 2021 Ruth was nominated to be Grand Marshall, Melba 4th of July.

Ruth was a godly woman who served her Lord until the end.

She leaves behind her son David E. Parsons and wife Anne E. (Fay) Parsons, her daughter Deborah E.

(Parsons) Taylor and husband Don B. Taylor, 3 grandchildren Aisha (Parsons) Freeland and husband Albert

Freeland, Derik Eugene Parsons and Katelyn Eileen (Taylor) Barthlome and husband Parker Barthlome, and

6 great grandchildren Ayana Lei Freeland and Ayla Christine Freeland, and Stephen Westberry and Danae

Parsons. Hudson Barthlome and Audrey Barthlome, 2 sister-in-laws Ina Kay (Parsons) Bradford, Ruth Ann

(Parsons) Lang and husband Larry Lang.