Ruth Ellen Buchanan Hall

Beloved mother, wife, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, mother-in-law,, sister in law, and friend to many, Ruth Hall passed away peacefully in her sleep at the Kline Galland Nursing Home in Seattle, Washington on Sunday morning, January 18, 2015. Ruth was born Ruth Ellen Buchanan on December 12, 1921 in Sylva, North Carolina to Carrie Gribble Buchanan and Rufus Buchanan, and she graduated high school in Sylva in 1938, where she was valedictorian of her senior class. On March 23, 1940 Ruth married her lifetime sweetheart James Henry Hall. They had two children, their son James David Hall, who was born in North Carolina and their daughter Betty Hall Merken who was later born in Everett, Washington after Ruth and James moved to Washington State, where James was initially employed in the logging industry. In 1985 their beloved grandson, Aaron David Merken, was born. Ruth and James and their children Jim and Betty lived in Lakewood, Washington for many years, where James built their home on twenty acres of property. In addition to raising her two children Ruth was active in the Lakewood Methodist Church, the PTA, the 4H Clubs, and Homemakers’ Club. She especially loved gardening and her beautifully maintained yard, with its numerous flowers and plantings which always received great attention and many compliments from viewers. Ruth was a wonderful cook and her home and dining room table were always open to others. Her specialties were the southern foods she grew up with in North Carolina, with her biscuits and pies taking center stage. Ruth also loved quilting and sewing. When her children were in middle school and high school Ruth continued her education at Everett Community College, where she was on the Dean’s List and earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Cosmetology. Shortly thereafter she opened a very successful and popular hair salon in Marysville, Washington, which she ran single handedly until she retired. Ruth and her husband James were founding members of the Old Time and Country Music Association, in which they were active for many years, both in performing and in many fundraising activities which greatly benefitted those in need. Ruth was predeceased by James in 2013, by her brother Dave Buchanan in 2010, and by her son Jim in 2006. She is survived by her daughter Betty Merken, her grandson Aaron Merken, her son-in-law Stefan Merken, all of Seattle, her cousin Audrey King of Candler, North Carolina, her sister-in-law Inajean Buchanan of Darrington, Inajean’s three children, David Buchanan, Roger Buchanan, and Sally Schlosser and Inajean’s four grandchildren, Luke, Amy, and Isaac Buchanan and Jacob Schlosser. There will be a private family service followed by a public memorial this summer, the date to be announced. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Ruth’s name to the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, 1100 Fairview Ave. N. P.O. Box 19024, Seattle, WA 98109