Ruby Ruth Richardson Nickerson

She was born on September 14, 1911 in a parsonage in Wayne, Nebraska to Ada Luola and Rev. Benjamin Richardson. When she was three years old, her family moved to Hastings, Nebraska where she lived until she was eleven years old. Then the family moved to Seattle, Washington where she graduated from Queen Anne High School and the University of Washington with a B.A. in English. She attended a 5th year to earn a Secondary Teaching certificate.She the attended Berkeley Baptist Divinity School where she earned a M.A. degree in Christian Education and the next year, a B.D. (Bachelor of Divinity). Upon graduation she returned to Seattle where for five years she served as Christian Friendship Missionary working with fifteen different nationalities in Washington state under an appointment of the national home mission board.On June 7, 1940 she married Harold H. Nickerson. After living in Seattle for two years, the couple moved to Baker, Oregon from which her husband entered the Air Force. She taught English in Baker High School. She moved back to Seattle where she served as Director of Christian Education at the Queen Anne Baptist Church. Upon her husband's return from the service, they moved to Puyallup, Washington, and to Olympia in 1948 when her husband became director of the Olympia Y.M.C.A.She substituted in various schools for several years and taught English and History in Olympia High School for 15 years.She was active for many years in the Olympia First Baptist Church, serving on the Board of Christian Education, Board of Deacons, the Executive Council, the Missions Committee, and held various offices for the American Baptist Women. She also wrote articles for their national publications. She spoke frequently at women's and church retreats and led many Bible Studies over the years. She taught Sunday School for over 60 years. She also helped start and remained active in the Thurston County Jail Ministry until her death.She is survived by two daughters, Ms. Linda Nickerson of Oregon City, Oregon, and Marilyn Gauntlett (George) of Kirkland, Washington. She also has two granddaughters, Erin Gauntlett VanderMeide (Jason) and Melinda (Lindy) Gauntlett, both of Kirkland, Washington.A Memorial Service will be held on Wednesday, July 21, 2004 at 11:30 at the First Baptist Church, Washington S.E. and E. 9th.In lieu of flowers, donations in her name may be made to these charities: Hospice-Providence SoundHomeCare and Hospice, Thurston County Jail Ministry, Mission Aviation Fellowship P.O. Box 3202, Redlands, CA 92373. Funeral arrangements are by Mills & Mills Funeral Home 360-357-7743