Ruthaileen Gibbs

Ruthaileen Eleanor ( Secord ) Gibbs, 94, of Saint Louis passed away at Masonic Pathways in Alma on August 31, 2007.

She was born August 12, 1913, in Brown City, Michigan, the daughter of Clarence and Lovila ( Dean ) Secord. Ruth attended school in Brown City where she graduated in 1929. She graduated from County Normal School ( now known as Central Michigan University ) in 1932 with a teaching certification. Ruth taught school one year in Capac, Michigan, where she met Walter Gibbs. On November 24, 1935, Ruthaileen and Walter were married in Toledo, Ohio.

Although Ruth taught in several school districts, she taught kindergarten and first grade in Saint Louis for most of her career. She retired in 1975 after thirty-two years of teaching. Ruth was affectionately known as "Mama Ruth" by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She and Walt gathered their family each Sunday for dinner, swimming, boating, and fishing at their Rock Lake summer cottage. Ruth enjoyed traveling, reading novels, playing bridge and cribbage, knitting and crocheting, and watching "her programs", Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy, and the Lawrence Welk Show. Walt and Ruth spent their winters at their Florida home in Thunderbird Park in Fort Myers. They had fun participating in the park activities with their Florida friends. Ruthaileen was involved with community activities such as P.T.O., Child Study Club, and Women's Circle and the reading program at the Saint Louis First United Methodist Church.

Ruth is survived by her son Jerry (Charlotte) Gibbs; daughters Ruth Gibbs of Saint Louis, Carol Crumbaugh of Kalamazoo, and Merrilee (Michael) Allen of Saint Louis; nine grandchildren and seventeen great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Walt, her parents, her two brothers, and her son Terry Gibbs.

Friends may meet with the family at Smith Family Funeral Home of Saint Louis on Sunday, September 2, 2007 from 2:00 to 4:00 and 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Funeral Services will be held on Monday, September 3, 2007 at 11:00 A.M. at the Saint Louis First United Methodist Church with Pastor Lillian French officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Saint Louis Public Library, Saint Louis First United Methodist Church missions, or the Gratiot County Senior Center. Online condolences may be sent to www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, St. Louis Chapel.

Read Ruthaileen Gibbs's Obituary and Guestbook on smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com.