Ruth Irene Moore

Ruth Irene Bond Moore died peacefully in her sleep surrounded by her loving family on Tuesday, March 19, 2024. She lived 95 wonderful years in beautiful Brown County, Indiana, and prided herself on being a Brown County girl.

Ruth started her life in Helmsburg, one of eight children of Earl and Grace Barkes Bond, who were both lifelong residents of Brown County. Ruth walked on the railroad tracks to school, where she enjoyed all of her subjects, especially math, and was a great student. She graduated from Helmsburg High School in 1946. After graduating, she worked at Eli Lilly in the bond department. She always thought it was funny to be a “bond girl” since she herself was a “Bond girl.”

She formally met the love of her life, Loren, at a square dance upon his return from serving his country in World War II. Though she said she always knew who this handsome man was, she joked that they had never talked because he was from Nashville and she from Helmsburg. She laughed as she recalled the old rhyme: “Don’t be a fool; don’t marry a man from Nashville School.” She didn’t follow that advice as the two began dating and fell in love. When he proposed, Loren told Ruth, “This is no Hollywood romance; this is for life.” Before the couple could wed, Loren, who was still in the Navy reserves, got called back to serve in the Korean War. Later, while home on a 30-day leave, the two married in Nashville Christian Church on September 1, 1951, the church the couple went on to attend for the rest of their lives. They were married for 65 years.

When Loren returned to Brown County for good following his service, the two bought a house on Coffey Hill Road where they raised their family of three girls, Marcia, Marilyn, and Mary Beth, affectionately known as “The Three M’s.” Loren started his own plumbing business, and Ruth told him, “You make the living; I’ll make the living good.” And that she did. Loren was welcomed home each day with a freshly-baked pie. Ruth stayed busy helping Loren in his plumbing business, babysitting for anyone who needed her, helping with wedding receptions, and even hosting tourists in their home in October. Ruth entered many of her famous pies in the county 4-H fair, where she was crowned champion several times. She also stayed busy sewing, making all of her daughters’ clothing up until they graduated high school. She also made countless prom dresses, wedding dresses, and dresses for an orphanage in Haiti. She was also well-known for making handmade Christmas stockings and making every new baby a Raggedy Ann or Andy. She constantly knitted winter hats and dish rags to give away to family and friends or to donate.

She served as a Mother Advisor for the Nashville Rainbow Girls and is still known as “Mom Moore” to many. She was also a Girl Scout leader and also hosted several missionaries in her home. Another role she cherished was her longtime membership to Nashville Christian Church, where she taught Sunday school for all ages, helped with VBS, and was a member of the Ladies’ Missionary Group. Together with her husband, they started the Gospel Lights, a Bible study group for young married couples.

Loren and Ruth enjoyed vacationing together as a couple, with family, or with a group of four other couples known as “The Traveling Ten.” Two of the couple’s vacation highlights were celebrating their 40th anniversary in Hawaii and their 50th anniversary in Alaska. Together, Loren and Ruth visited 49 of the 50 states. P.S. The state they missed was Delaware.

Of all of the roles she held and played, arguably her favorite one was the role of “Nonnie.” Once their grandchildren were born, Ruth and Loren enjoyed helping to raise them and then later loved attending all of their sporting events. Ruth often made chocolate chip cookies for the teams.

Ruth will be remembered for her willingness to help anyone and everyone. She truly would have given the shirt off her back to anyone, and her generosity is one of her many beautiful traits her family will remember with a smile. She lived out the words “good and faithful servant” every single day. She will also be remembered for her love of her husband and family, her faith in God, and her amazing baking and sewing.

Ruth’s legacy continues with her loving family. She is survived by their three daughters: Marcia Boyd of Ellettsville, Marilyn (Mike) Ayers of Nashville, and Mary Beth (Steve) Fisher of Nashville; nine grandchildren: Contessa (Jeremy) Kendrick, Jennifer (Curt) Winders, Christie (Max) Smith, Danny (Courtney) Fisher, Lauren (Bobby) Anderson, Holly (Ray) Gordon, Conner Ayers, Brooks (Sarah) Ayers, and Allyson (Nick) Miller; 22 great-grandchildren: Jacob Fowler, Tyler (Alexa) Weltich, Grace Fowler, Hannah Winders, Judah Kendrick, Caleb Winders, Kaiden Anderson, Isaac Smith, Shiloh Kendrick, Josh Logsdon, Chloe Anderson, Cole Anderson, Maverick Smith, Scout Fisher, Eli Gordon, Noble Fisher, Leanora Gordon, Elijah Miller, Amelia Ayers, Olivia Ayers, Joel Miller, and Levi Miller; sisters-in-law Lois Bond, Marilyn Bond, and Janet Moore; several nieces and nephews and great-nieces and nephews.

Ruth is preceded in death by her loving husband, Loren, her parents, and seven siblings.

Ruth lived the last three years of her life at the Brown County Health and Living Center. The family would like to thank all of the kind and loving workers who cared for her during that time.

Visitation hours are from 12:00 - 2:00 pm Sunday, March 24 at the Nashville Christian Church with funeral services immediately following at 2:00. Tim Bond will be officiating.

In Ruth’s honor, contributions can be made to Nashville Christian Church.

Online condolences may be given at www.BondMitchellFuneralHome.com