Ruth Garbarino Horton

On March 9, Ruth Horton, loving wife, mother, sister, aunt, grandmother and great-grandmother left her earthly home of 90 years and met her loving Savior. She was embraced by her relatives, her husband and their infant son.

Ruth Marie Garbarino was born January 13th 1931, in Elton, Louisiana and lived on a rice farm until leaving for higher education. While at Louisiana Baptist College, she met her future husband of sixty-five years. They graduated in 1952, she with a degree in Home Economics. Ruth and Broadus Fernly Horton were married soon after graduation. Fern immediately enlisted in the Air Force and served for over twenty-one years.

She had a school teaching career in Falmouth, Massachusetts and Tampa that spanned fifty years.

Ruth had a passion for babies and young children. She loved working in her church’s nursery and babysitting for friends and family. In the private school system, she was able to not only teach her students life skills, but demonstrate God's love that her students would never forget. Often, students returned to visit that teacher who had meant so much to them. Ruth was preceded in death by her father, B.F. Garbarino, mother, Lezina Garbarino, six siblings, husband and infant son. She is survived by sons, Jim (Dr. Diane Hahn) Horton, Neal (Carrie) Horton, daughters, Annette (Zeke) Westfall, Marie (Ted) Griggs, and Beth (Paul) Barnard; grandchildren, David, Esq. (Amanda, Esq.) Horton, Dr. Steven (Dr. Maura Manion) Horton, Kelly, Rachel, Jamie and Melinda Westfall and John Paul Barnard; great-grandchildren, Steven, Annabelle, Liam and Catherine Horton and numerous nieces and nephews.

Ruth is remembered for her beautiful smile, her generous hospitality, selflessness and giving spirit. Precious in the eyes of the Lord is the death of his saints. Psalm 116:15

Funeral services will be held at Berea Baptist Church in Palm Harbor, Florida on Saturday, March 20 at 11:00 am. Family will receive friends at 10am. Flowers may be sent to the church address: 370 US-19 ALT South, Palm Harbor, FL 34683, (727) 784-2733.