Ruth Janet Ferguson

Ruth was born on a farm in Okmulgee County, Oklahoma on September 1, 1916. She was the third of seven children born to William Isaac (Ike)Brewer and Cordie Bradley Brewer. She was educated in rural schools in Okmulgee County and attended business school after graduation. Ruth worked at Citizens Bank in Okmulgee. During this time, she met John S. Ferguson and they married on August 31, 1940. A daughter, Linda Sue was born in October 1945. After a transfer for John’s job by Phillips Petroleum Co. to Pasadena, Texas, another daughter, Janet Kay was born in November 1949.

Ruth was a member of Sunset Methodist Church in Pasadena and worked as a secretary for the Special Education Department for Pasadena ISD for many years.

Always active in her community, Ruth was a Sunday School Teacher, an officer in the Richey Elementary PTA, a Girl Scout leader with Troop 869. After retirement, Ruth volunteered at the church office, was an election clerk, and was active in PARSE (Pasadena Association of Retired School Employees).

After moving their house from Redman St. to a large lot in Golden Acres, Ruth and John maintained a large garden where they grew enough vegetables to feed themselves, their family, friends, and neighbors. Ruth continued the garden for many years after John’s death in 1985.

Ruth was a voracious reader, loved all types of arts and crafts, and a friendly game of bridge or Skip-Bo. For many years, Ruth made ceramics and sewed most of her children’s clothing.

She is preceded in death by her parents, husband John, her six siblings and son-in-law William Gutierrez. Ruth is survived by her daughters, Linda Gutierrez of Drippings Springs, Texas, and Janet Winkler and husband Billy of Cypress, Texas. She had 4 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren; Francesca Ruth Gutierrez and her husband Mathew Lodge of San Francisco, California, William (Memo) Gutierrez and his wife Jennifer of Dripping Springs, Texas and his children Sydney, Blake and Will, Micaela Gutierrez and husband William Householder and their sons Jackson and Truman of Dripping Springs, Texas and Jo Anna Winkler of Kingwood, Texas. Also surviving is Sister-in-law Virginia Brewer of Borger, Texas and many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank the staff of Autumn Grove-Copperbrook for taking such excellent care of Ruth. Visitation will be held on Sunday, May 15, 2016 at Grand View Funeral Home from 5:00-6:30 P.M. A graveside service will be held on Monday, May 16, 2016 at 10:30 A.M. at Grand View Memorial Park.

The family request memorials be made in the form of donations to M.D. Anderson Cancer Center since so many family members have been affected by this disease.