Daughter of Carl Woodley Williams and Nancy Ruth Gardner Williams of Dallas, Texas. Survived by brother, Loy Asbury Williams of Geneva, IL and Dorothy “Dot” Clare Williams of Colorado Springs, CO; nephew, Carl Randolph Williams (his wife, Sarah Williams, and his son, Sutton Woodley Williams); niece, Kiva Michels; and sister-in-law, Nancy Rich. Ruth was preceded in death by her parents and by her many beloved animals. She died March 19, 2019 after a short but intense battle with congestive heart failure and infection.
Ruth is a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School, Dallas, Texas. She received a Bachelor of Arts from Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas and a Master of Social Work from The University of Texas, Austin. Ruth’s passion and career interest was in human service. In college she volunteered at Bethlehem Center in Dallas which served minority youth. After UT graduation her career was in youth services and in Indiana and Colorado in mental health service. In Colorado Springs she worked for the mental health center and her private counseling service.
Ruth and Dot established and ran the Hearthstone Inn in Colorado Springs from 1978 to 1999 with 25 rooms in a Victorian setting. Ruth was known to her clients, friends, family, and guests as a kind and loving person who enriched the life of all with whom she came into contact. The world will be a less kind place without Ruth in it.
In college Ruth was an active member of the Methodist Wesley Foundation where she developed a deep understanding of her faith and was active in civil rights concerns. She established lifelong friendships there. Ruth requested at her memorial service that we sing the civil rights song “We Shall Overcome.” She and Dot are members of the First United Methodist Church of Colorado Springs.
Ruth loved camping and traveling. She and Dot sailed. She hiked in the mountains with Loy and flew with him in a private plane. Both Ruth and Dot loved traveling and ventured all over the United States and the world. Ruth and Dot wrote travel articles for Country Inns and ByRoads magazine. She loved her dogs and cats all her life. She had St. Bernard dogs and Norwegian Elkhounds. At one time she had 7 rescue cats and 4 Norwegian Elkhounds. Ruth always enjoyed gardening, especially dahlias. Her greatest joy was giving these magnificent blooms to others. She made homemade jams for gifts also.
Toward the end of her life she wrote a book “Marching On Singing Ever” about her early life just to prove to herself that she could write a book.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 26, 2019 at Shrine of Remembrance “America the Beautiful” Chapel, 1730 E. Fountain Blvd. Colorado Springs, CO. Private interment will take place at Evergreen Cemetery in Colorado Springs, prior to the memorial service.
Memorial contributions may be made in Ruth’s memory to The Carter Center, a 501C3 not-for-profit organization, working in conjunction with Emory University to improve lives by resolving conflicts, advancing democracy, and human rights. The Carter Center, One Copenhill, 453 Freedom Pkwy NE, Atlanta, GA 30307 www.cartercenter.org
Susan Paullus-Hart
23 Mar 2019I am totally bereft coming home to this news. But the first thing that enters this aging
mind is the picture of Yo-Ho and Kari welcoming Momma Ruth as she has welcomed all
into her realm of reasoning. Go Well and Stay Well, Dorothy Clare, as you forge ahead
knowing they are right beside you.
Your very aged wild child,
Susan
Debbie Woolworth
23 Mar 2019Most genuine person I’ve ever been blessed to know. Ruth was the real deal.
Linda Sutton
24 Mar 2019Dear Dot and Family: I am so sorry to learn of Ruth’s passing. I remember her and her work with me at the Urban League’s Child Care Center so fondly. Please know you are all in my heart. fondly, Linda Eichengreen Sutton
Lucy Austin
27 Mar 2019Dear Dot and Loy—
I am so sad that Ruth has died. She was a wonderful college friend. Even though we didn’t see each other much we always sent Christmas cards. I have many fond memories of her and Loy at the Wesley Foundation with our many other friends. She was a thoughtful and generous person who always cared for others in a very loving way. The world was a better place because of Ruth’s life. She will be sorely missed by her many friends. Love to you both.
Janna Reynolds
1 Apr 2019Dot – Billy and I were sad to read about Ruth. We have many fond memories of the both of you from Lost Valley and also on those occasions when we would see each other in town. May God’s peace bless your heart and mind during this difficult time. Ooooo-aaah. Bill and Janna Reynolds