Ruth Elizabeth Batchelder

RUTH ELIZABETH (CROSS) BATCHELDER (aged 96) completed her baptism in death on August 22, 2017. She was surrounded by her loving family at Sunrise Senior Living, Frisco, TX as she departed this life and entered her eternal rest.

Ruth is survived by her husband, Bob with whom she enjoyed 69 years of marriage and her 3 children: Kathy, married to Scott Turner; David, married to Nancy (Geddes); Janet, married to Richard Baird; 10 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren: Mark Batchelder, and his wife Veronica (Flores; and their children - Olivia and Jonathan); Jocelyn, married to Stephen Mathewes (and their children - Ruthie, Lucas, and Irene); Heidi Batchelder; Kevin Turner, married to JoAnne (Mueller); Philip Turner; Scott Batchelder, married to Danielle (Osbun); John Batchelder, married to Helen (Lee); Will Baird; Andrew Baird; and Kimberly Baird.

Ruth was born on February 26, 1921 in Gillette, Wyoming before moving to the Seattle, Washington area at the time of the Great Depression where she was raised. Her family became charter members of Lake Forest Park Presbyterian Church with her father donating the land. A graduate of the University of Washington, she taught English and History for 3 years at Wasatch Academy (a Presbyterian mission school) in Mt. Pleasant, Utah. She also taught one term at Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Oregon when, in 1948, she left to be married to Bob in a small service held in a home near the campus of Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois where Bob was completing his PhD. Upon receiving his degree, Ruth and Bob moved with their first child to Nacogdoches, TX for Bob’s first faculty appointment. Two years later, they moved to New England when Bob took a position teaching at Boston University. As a faculty wife, Ruth was active in many supportive ways for more than 50 years. Most notable was her work with Bob hosting international students in partnership with the Newton Presbyterian Church where they were members. With their lives centered in the church, Ruth served as the Sunday School Superintendent and was elected as one of the first woman elders in the Newton Church, thereafter serving many terms on the church Session. Ruth’s enthusiastic and energetic personality made her a frequent speaker at regional Community Bible Study and as President of the Christian Woman’s Club. By reputation, she was known for her gift of hospitality, her tireless work ethic, and her love of people. In her latter years, Ruth and Bob relocated to Plano, Texas and became members at West Plano Presbyterian Church where their son serves as pastor. Even in her advanced years, Ruth took a leading interest and gave support to the church’s mission to orphanages in Mexico. Until recently, Ruth and Bob continued an active life of hospitality opening their home to family and friends who came to visit. Outliving all her siblings, Ruth became (and gladly assumed) the mantle of family “matriarch.”

A Vigil for family and friends to offer thankful remembrances will be held on October 27 ^th at 7-9 PM at the West Plano Presbyterian Church (2709 Custer Road, Plano, TX 75023). A Funeral Service will be held at the West Plano Presbyterian Church on Saturday October 28 ^th at 1:30 PM. A reception will follow. The family has asked that, in lieu of flowers, gifts can be made to the Memorial Fund of West Plano Presbyterian Church. (http://westplanopresbyterian.org/wordPress/)