Ruth Qualls

Helen Ruth Parsons was born in Hanford, CA on June 21, 1918. It wasn’t long before she decided she preferred her middle name, and was henceforth know as Ruth. At Hanford High School, Ruth met her future husband, Leeland Montgomery, to whom she married after attending stenographer school and working in Fresno, CA for a couple years. Together they had two children, Audrey Lee and Richard Cloyd. Richard died tragically in a car accident at the age of twenty. Ruth and Leeland built a warm and open home on their 250-acre ranch where they farmed cotton, alfalfa and raised horses. During that time Ruth also worked at the Laguna Irrigation District as collector, assessor, and treasurer, where she stayed on for 35 years. Life moved on, and after 40 years they leased out the ranch, bought a truck and Airstream, and then enjoyed traveling, meeting up with friends, and fishing. Ruth and Leeland enjoyed a full and rich life together until Leeland’s untimely passing at the age of 57. Ruth then moved into an apartment in Fresno, CA and enjoyed time with her friends. With an abundance of love, Ruth eventually married Clyde Qualls, an old friend of the family. They lived happily together for 10 years till his passing. Since that time Ruth lived independently for 35 years, leading a happy and active life, eventually moving to Thousand Oaks, CA to be near her daughter, Audrey and son-in-law Bob.

In her 98 years on this earth, Ruth loved and was loved by her entire family, and had many, many caring friends. She is survived by her daughter, son-in-law, five grandchildren, and six great-grandcildren, who will all miss her dearly.