Ruth M. Minor, 95, of Fairfield, passed away at her home at 3:08am on Wednesday, December 28, 2022.
Ruth was born on August 11, 1927, to William and Emma (Doepke) Hensley. Born at home, she was the baby of the family. She was proud that her grandmother Doepke had immigrated to the U.S. from Germany and Ruth frequently spoke German, teaching her grandchildren German words. Ruth’s mother died when Ruth was just 13 years old and she then lived with various family members, becoming independent and hard-working at a young age.
As a young woman, Ruth resided in Chicago and worked at Portable Electric. She later moved back to Southern Illinois. She owned and operated the Aden Grocery Store in the 60’s. Ruth was a devout Christian and always spoke of her faith. She attended the King’s Chapel Church in Fairfield.
Ruth’s passion was her grandchildren, and she lived for time spent with them. She was an amazing cook, rarely following any recipe, (just a pinch of this and a pinch of that) and spent most of her time in the kitchen. She loved to share her gift of cooking with her family, her friends, and her neighbors. Even in her later days, she could be found carrying a dish to a neighbor or calling her family to pick up a to-go plate. Ruth never wasted anything and was well-known for her creative repurposing of containers to send leftovers home with loved ones. Besides cooking and visiting with loved ones, Ruth enjoyed John Wayne movies, listening to George Strait and Marty Robbins, and watching the Game Show Network.
Survivors include her daughter Lisa (Minor) Angle of West Salem, IL, a granddaughter Sara (Chris) Wise, a grandson Jake Woolever, great grandchildren River, Avery, Clay, and Trazzy, along with many nieces and nephews in which she was a second mom to. Many special friends and caregivers also survive.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers Earl, Harry, Alfred, and Trennis Hensley, her only sister and best friend, Dorothy James, and a son-in-law Terry Angle.
Funeral services for Ruth Minor will be at 12pm on Monday, January 2nd at the Johnson and Vaughn Funeral Home in Fairfield, with burial to follow in Baltimore Cemetery, south of Wayne City. Visitation will be from 10am until the time of service at the funeral home. Memorial donations can be made to the King’s Chapel Church and will be accepted at the Johnson and Vaughn Funeral Home. Condolences can be made to the family at www.johnsonvaughn.com.