On September 16,1936 Ruth Holbrook Ford was born in Letcher County, Kentucky. Her parents Ben & May Holbrook raised 9 children on a farm where all the family worked, grew their own food and raised tobacco. Ruth had a great desire to learn (except for math) and she became a nurse. Though she moved to Louisville, she never left her Letcher County roots.
She gave up that career to raise her family, yet she always kept her passion for learning. Even after her children were grown, she studied Art &Anthropology at Bellarmine College, and continued to take art classes through the years. She also enjoyed growing flowers, volunteering at church, talking politics and her book club.
Ruth was a gifted, accomplished artist and sculptor. Many of her paintings adorn the walls of family and friends homes as well as her church at Crescent Hill Baptist. She has passed that gift onto her 5 granddaughters, with each developing their own unique style and talent. ‘Googie’, as she was called by the girls, was a very special grandmother who loved and encouraged them.
Ruth is preceded in death by her parents, Ben and May Holbrook, sisters, Louise Polly and Katherine Hoffman, brothers, Paul and Don Holbrook. She is survived by her children, Laura Barnett (Tim), David Ford (Christina) and Michael Ford (Erin). Sisters, Frances Johnson and Margaret Penney, brothers, John and Jesse Holbrook. Grandchildren, Rachel, Lizzie, Maddie, Olivia and Alyson. She is also survived by her former husband, Dr. Norwood K. Ford.
A funeral service to celebrate Ruth’s life will be conducted at 11am, Friday, September 28, 2018 at Crescent Hill Baptist Church, 2800 Frankfort Ave. Burial will be at Zion Church at Oak Hill in Broadhead.
