Ruth McMasters

When reflecting on the life of Ruth McMasters, there is one word that is woven most vividly throughout her tapestry of time - love. She loved deeply, selflessly, and without condition to all who were within her reach. It was easy to see that Ruth treasured her role as a mother, but she just may have argued that becoming a grandmother was both her highest calling and her greatest blessing. Guided by an unwavering faith, she exemplified what it means to be the hands and feet of the Lord she loved. All who knew Ruth were well aware that she was always available to offer wise counsel whether to her children or other people in need of guidance or a listening ear. Life will certainly never be the same for her family and friends without her here, but they find comfort in knowing that she is enjoying perfect peace in her eternal home.

The 1920s were a vibrant time in American history filled with great prosperity. Radios, affordable cars, and motion pictures in both color and sound were all signs of this eventful time. Amelia Earhart and Charles Lindbergh soared above the clouds accompanied only by their endless spirits of adventure while baseball legends Ty Cobb and Babe Ruth made baseball America’s favorite pastime. It seems only fitting that Ruth’s journey began during this exciting time as it was on November 2, 1926, that she was welcomed into the waiting arms of her parents, Johnny and Ova Nash. She was one of six children in her family and was born and raised on the family farm in Sparta, Tennessee, alongside her three brothers, Everett, Edwin, and Hubert, and her two sisters, Ethyl-Josephine and Cordelia.

In many ways Ruth was a young girl of her generation. She was a bit of a tomboy who really viewed herself as just one of the boys. Ruth waited for a dare to prove her worth, and she made sure that she never snitched on her brothers. Her parents were both hardworking farmers, and her father also ran a local saw mill while her mother was a busy homemaker as well. As a student Ruth attended a local boarding school.

Life was forever changed for Ruth when she met the young man of her dreams while still a teen. His name was Alton Bruce, and after getting to know one another the young couple was soon deeply in love. With a desire to spend the rest of their lives together the sweethearts were married when she was just 17.

Although WWII had been gaining momentum overseas since the late thirties, it wasn’t until the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, that we were forced into engaging in the fight for freedom around the world. Ruth worked in a local factory to support the war effort and named herself “Rosie the Riveter. She continued to work hard in the workplace as she spent 28 years working for the Great Atlantic Pacific Tea Company, A&P. In addition, Ruth was a proud member of the AFL/CIO.

Nothing was sweeter than when Ruth became the mother of two amazing children, Ron and Pame, although in reality she was a mother to everyone who visited. There was no beginning and no end when it came to her parenting skills, and what made her second to none was that she loved first and counseled second. Countless conversations took place while sitting at the dining room conference table, and most conversations were thought provoking and soul-searching as she had the uncanny ability to look at any and every situation from all angles. Ruth offered advice, but never told others what to do, rather, she merely offered suggestions. The rules were that there was nothing that was off limits at her table, but once people left the table all issues were closed. Everyone was always welcomed with a hug and sent away with both a hug and a kiss. Ruth made her expectations clear to her children, and worse than the pain of a spanking was the knowledge of disappointing her in some way.

As her friends and family can attest, Ruth was truly extraordinary. She was straightforward and honest with the ability to give everyone in every situation the benefit of the doubt. Ruth was a forward thinking woman who was ahead of her time as she bought her house from the realtor on only her word alone long before women were given any credit. She never met a stranger and did nothing to make any enemies either. Even when the way before her was challenging, Ruth always saw the glass as half full as she viewed whatever came her way to be part of God’s perfect plan for her life. Ruth’s faith was a vital part of who she was, and it was showcased as true beauty and limitless strength and courage in her life. The Bible was more than her favorite book as it was also the compass she used to direct her path, and she dearly treasured her church home as well.

Life came full circle for Ruth when she became the grandmother to three grandsons, Ryan, Austin, and Cameron. These three were the apple of her eye to be sure, but her heart also overflowed with endless amounts of love for them, too. Ruth’s eyes truly sparkled even when just talking about them and their latest accomplishments as she was so very proud of everything they did and the amazing people they are becoming. She was the one who hosted holiday gatherings, and although they were low-key they were always abundantly filled with laughter and love.

Over the years Ruth did some traveling with the second love of her life Gordon McMasters. They went in every direction whether north, south, east, or west whenever they were able. Who could forget the trip that she and Pam took in the mustang from Michigan to Tennessee when the car was overheating the whole way down. It was the middle of the summer, but they had to have the heat on full blast to keep the car from overheating entirely. Thank goodness they made it all the way to Sparta and were then able to get the car repaired, which made for a much more comfortable ride home.

In her free time Ruth was a woman of many interests. She loved to quilt and crochet, and she was even able to teach “Pops” how to knit. Ruth wasn’t a huge television watcher, but she did enjoy watching Two and a Half Men. Her favorite song could be a bit surprising to some as it was “All Summer Long” by Kid Rock, and her favorite team was the Detroit Tigers.

Vivacious, approachable, and gracious, Ruth McMasters was a blessing to everyone who was near. She was never one to worry about building wealth or gaining possessions, rather, she focused her time and attention on living life to the fullest each day while holding her loved ones near. Ruth had a great sense of humor, too, and she was even able to poke fun at herself. She will be deeply missed while her memory remains close to the hearts and minds of her family and friends.

Ruth McMasters died on July 11, 2014. Ruth’s family includes her children, Ronald and Pame (Harry) Crayne; grandchildren, Ryan, Austin, and Cameron. Ruth was preceded in death by her husband, Gordon. Visitation is on Thursday, July 17, 2014, from 3 until 9 p.m. Funeral services are on Friday, July 18, 2014, 1 p.m., at Neely-Turowski Funeral Home, 30200 Five Mile Road, between Middlebelt and Merriman Roads, Livonia, MI. Interment Parkview Cemetery. You may sign the guestbook, share a memory, or upload a photo by using the tabs to the right.