Ruby Bowman

Ruby Alice Root Bowman was born July 20, 1922, in Elk City, Oklahoma, to John and Ada (Byerly) Root. She passed peacefully from this life on October 18, 2018, in Baker City, Oregon. A graveside memorial service is planned for Thursday, October 25,  2018 at 11:00 a.m. Come join our family for a potluck gathering following the service, held at the Richland Christian Church. (Meat will be provided; sides, salads and desserts are appreciated.)

Ruby moved with her parents and siblings from Oklahoma to the “far out west” in December of 1928. The family traveled by train, and Ruby relayed memories of the first stop in California, where the conductor bellowed “BARSTOW!” She remembered that she and her sister Mildred were wearing matching little sailor dresses at the time.

Ruby received Jesus as her Savior when she was a teenager and was welcomed by baptism into the fellowship of the Dunkard Brethren Church. In everyday life, she passed on the lasting treasures found in God's Holy Word, The Bible. In 1939, Ruby met Charles Bowman, the love of her life, and they were united in marriage on July 27, 1940 in Modesto, California. Together they built a small home on the property where Charles had been born and raised.

God gave them three sons: Edison, Eugene, and Charles Vernon. For many years, this young family worshiped in the loving fellowship of the Old German Baptist Brethren Church in Modesto. Ruby's love for her family, her friends, and her Lord was a joy that we all got to share in. Ruby's commitment to others poured out in a selfless extension of genuine love. She was cheerful, with much laughter and many kind words of truth and encouragement. “Faith,” she would say, “is what I can't see but what I believe.”

Ruby thoroughly enjoyed spending countless hours at her sewing machine. She loved harvest season as well; if her husband could grow it, Ruby could can it. And of course, she was a “regular” in the babysitting department. Ruby was attentive to the needs of ranch livestock and pets, especially the dogs: Noni, Pippin, Rusty, Pepper, Caesar, Cece, Brutus, Sheba, Buster...(too many to count!)

Sixty-five years of Ruby's life were spent on what the family fondly thinks of as “the home place” located on Blue Gum Avenue, in the Wood Colony area of Modesto. When in 2005 the need for full-time assistance came 'round, Ruby and Charles moved with children to Wickenburg, Arizona, and later Ruby came to be with family in Richland, Oregon.

Ruby is survived by a sister, Mildred Miller (Hubert) of Modesto, California; her brother, Ben Root (Mary Jane) of Mesa, Washington; her sons Edison Bowman (Nancy) of Richland, Oregon, and Charles Vernon Bowman (Judy) of Mission Viejo, California; eight grandchildren, twenty-one great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 70 years, Charles; their son, Eugene; granddaughter Celia Bowman; great-granddaughter Abbigail Bowman; her parents, John and Ada Root; stepmother Louise Root; sisters Lola Ruschhaupt, Mina Andrews, Elizabeth Gish, Adaline Holsinger, and Betty Knaus; and brothers Allen Root, Eldon Root and Emmert Root.

The Bowman family extends our warmest thanks for the kind and loving words and prayers of our wonderful friends. Memorial donations in Ruby's name may be made to Richland Christian Church or the Eagle Valley Rural Fire Department through Tami's Pine Valley Funeral Home PO Box 543 Halfway, Oregon 97834.  Online condolences may be shared at www.tamispinevalleyfuneralhome.com