Ruth Ina Ayres-Williams of Hutchinson, was born in Halstead on June 11, 1935. She grew up in Hutchinson, Kansas where she lived most of her life. She passed away peacefully with family members at her bedside at Hospice House in Hutchinson on March 17, 2018.
Known as 'Ruthie' by her family members and close friends, she loved the Lord with a simple, childlike faith. She adored birds and animals and gave to charities that protected them. She enjoyed making flower arrangements, for which she often won awards at the Kansas State Fair. She could light up a room just by walking in and greeting people with a smile. That gift earned her a position as a hostess with Welcome Wagon. She was a phenomenal cook, especially revered for her cakes, cookies and pies.
After graduation from Hutchinson High School, Ruth attended and graduated from Adela Hale Business College in 1955. She gained employment at Graber Furniture Company as a stenographer. She also worked for a short while as a nurse's aide. Later, she found work as an Avon representative, selling its products door-to-door for 30 years, winning many awards for her sales records. About the same time, she also joined Sweet Adelines, with whom she toured and sang for decades. She sang in the choir at First Church of the Nazarene; years later, she sang in the choir and as a soloist at Grace Wesleyan Church, where she also sang in trios with her two daughters.
Ruth was preceded in death by: her mother, Rachel Larrance Forbes, who passed away when Ruth was six years old; her father, Francis Omar Forbes, and stepmother Marion Foree Forbes; her children's father, Gary Hoag; as well as Clarence (Clancy) Ayres and John J Williams.
For the last eight years of her life, Ruth resided with her husband John J. Williams at Mennonite Friendship Manor in South Hutchinson, Kansas, making many friends there, creating several freehand drawings of animals and flowers and caring for her beloved cat Skeezix.
She is survived by: daughters, Cynthia Robertson, San Diego, California, Patricia Johnson, Hutchinson, Kansas; grandchildren, Laurel Litton, Peabody, Kansas, Marcus George, Hutchinson, Kansas, Audra Sisler, Hutchinson, Kansas, Aaron George, Belton, Texas, and Julie Bowersox, Hutchinson, Kansas; four great grandchildren; a brother, John Forbes; and nephew, Larrance Forbes, Gainesville, Georgia; a sister, Mary Adah Ziegler; and niece, Janna Oliver, Overland Park, Kansas. Ruth is also survived by: her sister-in-law, Gaylene (Hoag) Brazeal of Hutchinson, Kansas, her dearest and life-long friend of 65 years; and niece, Kellie Kurre of Tonganoxie, Kansas.
Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Thursday, March 29, 2018, at the Mennonite Friendship Communities Chapel, 600 W. Blanchard Avenue, South Hutchinson, Kansas 67505, with Rev. Lou Gomez officiating. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery. Friends may sign the book 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday at Elliott Mortuary.
Ruth requested donations be made to Sweet Adelines of Hutchinson and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), both in care of Elliott Mortuary & Crematory, 1219 N. Main Street, Hutchinson, Kansas 67501.