Ruth Crabtree

Ruth was the fourth of seven children born to Allen and Ida Crabtree. She was actually born in the upstairs apartment of the church which was founded by her parents called the Golden Rule Mission. She lived in Indianapolis until the age of six when the family moved to Port Angeles. About three years later the family moved to Bellingham where Ruth continued her schooling, later graduating from Bellingham High School in 1942. She moved to San Francisco in February 1944 to be near her parents and her dad's church. It was there she surrendered her life to God's control at the age of 19 in a small humble third floor church hall on Market Street. Ruth later moved with family to Yakima in 1949 living there until 1956 when she moved to Seattle. She lived in Seattle for 48 years mostly at the house on 20th Avenue before finally selling it and moving to Richmond, CA for 4 years, Medford, OR for 6 years and finally back to Seattle in 2014.

Professionally, Ruth was trained as a Secretary/Administrative Assistant and later as a Supervisor. She was highly proficient in typing, shorthand, and generally running an office. She was first employed as a stenographer for a wholesale grocery firm and a later in a variety of places working in business offices for over 42 years. She finished her career with the US Department of Agriculture where she coordinated, managed, and supported statisticians in the Seattle office. She had a top secret government clearance and retired in 1984 with twenty years of government service and awards too numerous to list.

Ruth was a wonderful praying and caring Christian woman. She faithfully served in a variety of roles at the Apostolic Faith Churches where she was a member through the years. Most visibly was her role as pianist. She had a love for music, particularly Southern Gospel music which spoke often of the hope of heaven that she anticipated. She sang in choirs and special musical groups as well. Over the years Ruth was a Sunday School teacher particularly for girls and young ladies, loving and mentoring many and pointing them toward Jesus.

After her love for the Lord, Ruth had an enduring love and devotion to her family. While never marrying, Ruth invested much time in her extended family over the years. She helped with the care of her parents as they aged and also of her younger brother John as well. She loved her nieces and nephews just as if they had been her own children, often remembering each of their birthdays, weddings, and other important family events over the years. Nothing thrilled her more than to hear the news from these extended family members all of whom she prayed for daily.

The love Ruth showed to her family was also shared with her many friends and adopted family at church. This love was not only extended to those of her age but also to several generations which followed. It was not unusual to see the children or young people gathering near Ruth as they sensed her love and care for them. It was also evident that her prayers extended in a wide circle from her heart of love.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, Allen & Ida Crabtree; three sisters - Flora Terpsma, Lorene Heeringa, Ruby Partlow; two brothers - James Crabtree and John Crabtree; and one nephew. She is survived by one sister, Rebecca Loomis of Maple Valley, 18 nieces and nephews, over 41 great nieces and nephews and a host of great great nieces and nephews who all lovingly called her Auntie Ruth as well as a great number of friends.

Services will be held at the Apostolic Faith Church - Seattle. 7420 - 9th Ave NE Seattle, WA 98115 at 11 am Saturday, April 9. Interment will follow at the family plot in the Monumenta Cemetery in Lynden, WA at 3:30 PM.

Words of comfort may be expressed for Ruth Crabtree's friends and family by clicking on the guestbook link to the right.