November 23, 1925 – December 31, 2019
Ruth Alene Murrell was born in Boyden, Iowa on November 23, 1925. She passed away peacefully at home in Hughson on December 31, 2019 at the age of 94.
Ruth was born to Henry and Hattie Smit in Boyden Iowa. At age 13 her family moved to Houston, Texas where at age 17 she met and married Art Murrell. They raised their 3 children Dorothy, Terrell and Roy in Austin and later in San Antonio, Texas. In 1969, Art and Ruth moved to Fresno, California and worked for Fresno State University in the accounting department in addition to helping Art manage his janitorial business. While living in Fresno, Ruth chose to serve God and was true to that choice. Art and Ruth retired and moved to Turlock, California in 1987. They loved having bible study meetings in their home. After Art passed away in February 1993, Ruth continued to travel with her sons and many friends. For the last two years Ruth made her home with her granddaughter Lisa and her husband Ed in Hughson, California.
Ruth was preceded in death by her husband Art, her sister Harriett and brothers Alfred and Don. Ruth is survived by her brother Loren Smit of Casa Grande, Arizona; her three children, Dorothy (Gene) Wainwright of Hughson, California, Terrell (Beth) Murrell of Norfolk, Virginia and Roy (Marsha) Murrell of Portland, Oregon. Also 11 grandchildren; many great grandchildren and many close friends.
