Ruth Elveda Fenton Herriford

Ruth Elveda (Fenton) Herriford age 93, a long time resident of Scott Lake and Centralia, passed away Thursday, June 3, at Providence St. Peter Hospital in Olympia. Her love for us and our love for her will remain in our hearts - she will be missed.

Ruth was born to William and Laura Fenton January 31, 1917 in Billings, Montana. She and her family left Montana when Ruth was 5 years old and moved to Centralia, WA. for a time and then on to the Yakima area. While visiting her sister, Alice, in Centralia the summer of 1933 she met and married Orville Herriford. She and Orville were married for 66 years when Orville passed away January 2000.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers, Ernest, Leslie, and Merlin, and her sisters, Leona (Bartonia), Alice (Bogar), and Ivy (Johnson), a son, Gary, 2 nieces and 3 nephews.

Ruth spent many years giving community service. She was active in school PTA, Girl Scouts, was a 4-H leader and a member of the Washington State and National Wool Growers Association. She served for many years as State Director of the "Make It Yourself with Wool Contest". She also judged various sewing and fashion events. Ruth served on the board of Trustees for Scott Lake and as president of the HERS club. She was a member of the Scott Lake Garden club.

Orville and Ruth belonged to the Centralia Rifle Club. Ruth was a member of a four woman team, the Calamity Janes, who held the National Rifle Record in May 1952 for small bore rifle. She also taught hunter safety classes. In retirement years she and her husband enjoyed golfing and gardening.

Ruth is survived by her son, Randy, two daughters, Gail Bernard and Elveda (Richard) Wells, 1 daughter-in-law, Susan Herriford, 8 grandchildren, Tami (Marc) Brouillet, Tim Herriford, Robert (Rebecca) Herriford, Rona (Randy) Edwards, John Wells, William (Teresa) Wells, Jay Herriford and Andrew Herriford, 8 great grandchildren and many nephews and nieces.

A memorial gathering will be held Sunday, June 13 – 2:00p.m. at the Scott Lake Community Center, 2631 114th Way SW.