Ruth Wardell

At 90 years of age Ruth went home to be with the Lord on May 16, 2014. She was born in Wingham, Ontario Canada, December 29, 1923. Ruth was the beloved daughter of Rev. Glen Wardell and Maude Heweston Wardell and beloved sister of Donald and Harold. She is survived by her niece Margaret Wardell of Edmonton, Alberta and nephew, Mark Wardell of Vancouver, B.C. and four great nieces and nephews. Ruth graduated from London Bible College in 1945 and attended the Child Evangelism Institute in Dallas, Texas, to further her calling into children's ministries. In 1946, Ruth went to New York City to work with the American Board of Missions to the Jews (now known as Chosen People Ministries) where God used her background and education to reach out to children and adults alike, beginning a missionary career which lasted over 50 years and extended over several locations in the U.S. During her 27 years of ministry in New York, Ruth had a tremendous impact on many young people as she led Bible studies and ran camps and outreach meetings. In the 1950's Ruth had the privilege of teaching the scriptures to an eager adolescent named Arnold Fruchtenbaum. Today, Dr. Fruchtenbaum is an international Bible scholar and president of Ariel Ministries in San Antonio, Texas. In 1973, God took Ruth's ministry Los Angeles where she led many training and outreach meetings for senior adults and children, including directing a summer Bible school for children for Jews for Jesus. In 1993, Ruth settled in Plano, Texas where she continued to be involved in Messianic ministry, teaching children and women's studies. While in Texas, she developed a curriculum at Adat Shalom Messianic Congregation, Dallas for preparing young Jewish believers to become Bar/Bat Mitzvah. Ruth also served on the board of directors for Sojourner Ministries in the Dallas area. In 2005 Ruth also began teaching children's classes at the Grace Evangelical Chinese Church in Dallas. When Ruth went to Atria Canyon Creek (formerly known as Franklin Park) she began a Bible study from the Jewish perspective for the residents there and continued to minister until almost 90 years of age! Ruth was affectionately known as "Miss Wardell" and then later as "Ruth with the Truth" by all who knew and loved her. God has given Ruth many sons and daughters in the faith. She has been beloved as a mother, grandmother, mentor and friend by countless individuals. A visitation will be held Wednesday, May 21, 2014 from 6-9:00 PM at Allen Family Funeral Options, Plano, Texas. The casket will be open for those wishing to view Ruth from 6-7:00 PM and will remain closed from 7-9:00 PM. A graveside service will be held Thursday, May 22, 2014 at 9:00 AM at Ridgeview West Cemetery, Frisco, Texas with Steven Ger, officiating. Ruth had requested that donations in her name be made to Ariel Ministries to benefit Camp Shoshanah, P O Box 792507, San Antonio, Texas 78279-2507.