Ruth Dye Fisher

Ruth Dye Fisher
Baird

Ruth Dye Fisher passed from this life to the next on Saturday, June 23, 2012 at her home in Baird, Texas. She was born in the Indian Territory of Oklahoma on November 23rd, 1911, to John Mac and Mallie Miller Dye. In 1922 the family moved by covered wagon to northwest Texas. A few short years later she met the love of her life, Marvin Earl Fisher. They married in 1929 in Brownfield, Texas. Marvin entered the Christian ministry in the Northwest Texas Conference of the Methodist Church soon after their marriage. Her ministry then became one of supporting her husband in this endeavor.
Along with her commitment to her husband's vocation, Ruth also accomplished her own rewards by obtaining her Registered Nurse's license and serving as a bedside angel for many years. She received her educational training at both Howard County Community College in Big Spring, Texas, and the University of California, Los Angeles.
Ruth's commitment to her husband and son was matched only by her commitment to serving the needs of her community. Wherever the bishop sent the couple, Ruth quickly discovered a need in the community and began work to fulfill that need. Marvin and Ruth spent 39 years meeting the spiritual and physical needs of parishioners and community members of various towns in northwest Texas. They were privileged to share their 50th wedding anniversary in 1979. Marvin passed to his reward in 1981.
Ruth's service to her community was not complete, however. After selling her home in Lubbock and moving to be near her only son, the Rev. Delton E. Fisher, in Baird, she began a work of service to her new community that has lasted more than 20 years. The single act of helping a struggling family traveling through Baird by gathering some food and clothing began a movement that has blessed the lives of thousands. In the basement of the local Methodist Church, Ruth began to organize a clothing and food "store" to help the needy of the county. Today, the Baird Mission of Miracles is housed in the former US Post Office building, which Ruth purchased through raising $20,000 in just ten days. She has faithfully served her community by overseeing this mission with the assistance of the Ministerial Alliance and a Board of Directors from 1982 to 2010. Ruth was a faithful and active member of the First United Methodist Church of Baird.
She retired from her life of volunteerism when her body could no longer sustain her efforts. However, she continued to provide her family and her community with great love and wisdom. She was always ready for a domino game and a chat up until the last few days of her life. Her dedication to volunteerism is the essence of what it means to be an American: helping a neighbor in need.
Ruth is survived by her granddaughters, Eugenia Ruth Gilley of Canyon, Texas, and Janice Rose Fannin and husband Terry of Baird, Texas; her daughter-in-law Rose Fisher Brooker and husband Lee Roy of Baird, Texas; 2 great-granddaughters, Kris Magistro of Clyde, Texas, and Cari Waller and husband Jason of Eustice, Florida; 3 great-grandsons, Jon Gilley of Baird, Texas, Carl Van Hoose of Providence Village, Texas, and Rick Fannin and wife Jennie of Abilene, Texas; 8 great-great-grandchildren; very special friends Theresia Roundtree, Jimmie Campbell, and Lisa McCarty; and her wonderful angels from IntegraCare Hospice of Abilene.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Marvin, and her only son Delton E. Fisher.
Viewing will be held all day Thursday, June 29, 2012 at Parker Funeral Home, and a visitation with morning coffee will be held at the First United Methodist Church of Baird on Friday, June 29, 2012, from 9:00 until 10:30 AM. Family and friends will depart at 10:30 AM for Elmwood Memorial Park in Abilene, Texas, for Graveside Services with Chaplain Aaron Coleman officiating.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Tuesday, July 3, 2012, at 6:00 PM at the First United Methodist Church of Baird with Pastor Robert Stone, Jason Waller, and Carl Van Hoose officiating. All services are under the direction of Parker Funeral Home of Baird, Texas.
Memorial gifts may be made to the Baird Mission of Miracles; FUMC Baird; Moran Order of the Eastern Star Chapter No. 591; Methodist Children's Home in Waco, Texas; the American Cancer Association, or to the donor's favorite charity. Addresses for the above can be obtained through Parker Funeral Home of Baird, Texas.