Ruth Rose Rodriguez

Ruth Rose Rodriguez passed away peacefully at her home on February 27th in Arroyo Grande. Ruth was 84 years old and was born in Modesto, CA, in 1940. Shortly after she was born, she moved to Arroyo Grande, where she was raised by her mother and grandmother on her grandmother's ranch.
She met her husband, Romido "Smiley" Rodriguez, in 1957, and they instantly fell in love. They wrote each other letters for three years until Smiley proposed, and they were married in 1961 at Our Lady of Guadalupe in Guadalupe, CA. Ruth and Smiley resided in Lompoc near the Rodriguez Trucking Company and Ranch for a few years before moving to Santa Maria in 1964, where they raised their four children. In 1976, they moved the family to the Arroyo Grande Mesa, with the desire to introduce their children to "ranch/farm life," as they had both been raised on farms.
The Rodriguez family raised Black Angus cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, chickens, rabbits, and many other farm animals. They grew oat hay, pumpkins, corn, tomatoes, and fruit-just a few of the things cultivated on the Arroyo Grande Ranch. Ruth loved gardening and was especially proud of her Beautiful Roses.
Ruth was a homemaker who volunteered as a tutor and teacher's aide, and she was involved with 4-H, FFA, and the PTA. Ruth was passionate about getting her children involved in school, sports, local community events, and so much more. She had a deep passion for life and for her entire family, including her grandchildren, nieces and nephews, cousins, and many friends who became like family. Her constant giving to others never stopped, especially to those in need.
Throughout her life, Ruth loved to travel both locally and abroad, though she especially enjoyed the Central Coast, particularly Santa Barbara, where Ruth and Smiley's favorite restaurant was located. Ruth will be remembered as a generous, loving, and strong mother, sister, wife, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend who always opened her home to others with a great meal. Family was the most important part of Ruth's life, and her home was always a place for her loved ones to gather.
Ruth is survived by her husband of 63 years, Romido "Smiley" Rodriguez Sr.; their four children, Romido "Maize" Rodriguez Jr. (Jennifer Cacdac), Paul Rodriguez (Michelle Rodriguez), Shirley Coke (Mike Coke), and Kurt Rodriguez (Lori Rodriguez). Ruth is also survived by her sister Magdalena "Lena" Rodriquez (Ralph Rodriquez), brother John Gonzales (Carmen Gonzales), 10 grandchildren, and 4 great-grandchildren. Her beloved brother, Antonio "Tony" Santos Gonzales, passed shortly before Ruth in October 2024.
Ruth's Rosary Service will be held on April 1st at 6:00 PM at St. Patrick's Church in Arroyo Grande, and the Mass will be held on April 2nd at 11:00 AM at St. Patrick's Church in Arroyo Grande. A cemetery service will follow at the Arroyo Grande Cemetery. Reception location to be announced at service.