Ruth Root Cowie

Ruth Root Cowie Ruth Root Cowie, 89, of Redlands, CA, passed away on April 11, 2013. She was born to the late Pastor Clayton C. and Florence Wise Root, April 28, 1923 in Whittier, CA. Ruth graduated from Redlands High School in 1941 and attended the University of Redlands. She married Virgil Lamar Matthews, Jr. They had two daughters, Carol Matthews Thain and Jeannie Matthews Seabury. Ruth later married Robert Andrew Cowie. Ruth was calm, kind, graceful, witty and loving. She loved the Lord Jesus Christ and inspired us all with her dignity. Ruth was a member of the First Baptist Church of Redlands and active in her community, volunteering at Redlands Family Service Association for many years. Ruth loved playing bridge, working crossword puzzles and was an avid reader. She loved the Redlands A.K. Smiley Public Library from childhood. She and her sister, Helen, walked there as often as possible, gathering as many books as they could carry home to the parsonage on Nordina Street. Ruth worked at the Redlands branch of The Southern California Edison Company for 32 years. She moved to Wichita Falls, Texas in 2007 to be near her daughter, Jeannie Matthews Seabury. She resided at Rolling Meadows Retirement Center at the time of her death. Ruth s family is thankful to the staff, caregivers and friends at Rolling Meadows. She shared her unforgettable smile with many of them. Ruth is survived by her daughter, Jeannie Matthews Seabury and husband Robert Seabury of Wichita Falls, TX; one sister, Helen Schall of Redlands, CA; one sister-in-law, Shirley Root of Prescott, AZ; one step-daughter, Pamela Cowie Patrick and husband Bill Patrick of Huntsville, AL; four grandchildren, Natalie Thain Richmond and husband Joe Richmond of Austin, TX, Derek Thain of Austin, TX, Rob Thain and wife Teresa Thain of Valley Village, CA, and Bryan Seabury and wife Cheryl Kuo Seabury of Valley Village, CA; four great grandchildren, Drew Richmond, twins Eli and Zoe Thain, and Scarlett Seabury. Ruth was preceded in death by her daughter Carol Matthews Thain, husband Bob Cowie, and brothers Wilbur Root of San Diego, CA and Paul F. Root of Prescott, AZ. Interment will be at Hillside Memorial Park in Redlands, CA, on Monday, April 22, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. The family plans a private celebration of Ruth s life on Saturday, April 27, 2013, just one day prior to her 90th birthday. There will be a Memorial Service at Grace Bible Church in Wichita Falls, TX, on Saturday, May 11, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers the family requests gifts be given to Rolling Meadows, 3006 McNiel, Wichita Falls, TX 76309, Hospice of Wichita Falls, Inc., 4909 Johnson Rd., Wichita Falls, TX 76310, or the A.K. Smiley Public Library, 125 W. Vine St, Redlands, CA 92373.