Ruth Morrison

Age 85, a native New Mexican, and longtime resident of Albuquerque, currently residing in Pennington, Texas with her daughter and son-in-law, passed triumphantly and joyously through Heaven’s gate Wednesday, April 3, 2013. She was reunited with her parents, Rev. L.M. and Gladys Walker; parents-in-law, John Calvin and Mildred Morrison; her only son, Richard Alan Morrison and her beloved and devoted husband of 60 years, William Eugene Morrison. She is survived by her brother and wife, Rev. Larry and Carmen Walker of Dallas, Texas; her only daughter, Cathy Jean Bonner; son-in-law, Arthur Lee Bonner and three grandchildren, Waylon Gene Bonner, Arthur Wayne Bonner, and Cheyenne Jean Bonner of Pennington, Texas; plus a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other family members and countless friends. Ruth was born in Des Moines, New Mexico on June 14, 1927. She later moved as a toddler with her mother and father to Ft. Worth, Texas where they attended Southwestern Theological Seminary. After her parents graduated they moved to Lewisville, Texas where her father was pastor at The First Baptist Church until she was in the fourth grade. There she played for hours on the grass between their home and the church singing “Jesus Loves Me” under a big shade tree. She was in several community musicals there as they always had an annual show, and she also told the story of Jonah during a story telling event. They then made a move back home to New Mexico where her father was pastor in Las Vegas, New Mexico for the next three years. They lived upstairs over the back of the church that had an outside staircase. They prepared their meals on a small stove that burned coal, and this is where she began to learn to cook. At school they played “cops and robbers,” hop scotch, jacks, and paper dolls which she made out of old cardboard pieces, furniture made out of old match boxes, and at times pasted catalog pictures of dolls and people on cardboard to cut out. They didn’t have much money, but they had lots of fun and enjoyed their friends at church and in the community. At times when money was not plentiful, members of the church would bring her family eggs, chickens, milk, bread and cheese. She loved her parents dearly and loved living in New Mexico. She enjoyed visiting their cousins in the summer and naming all of the cows on their farm. When Ruth entered the eighth grade, they moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico where her father was pastor at The Fruit Avenue Baptist Church. At their home Ruth was a witness for countless weddings, and would sing as her mother played the piano for couples that her father married in their home. As a family they loved music and would sing around the piano. She had many memories of playing table games in their home together, and her favorites were Chinese Checkers and Monopoly. She attended Albuquerque High School and graduated in 1944. She then went to work for the Baptist Convention Office downtown. She also sang in the choir at Fruit Avenue Baptist Church, which was how she met the love of her life. He spotted her in the choir and told everyone he was going to marry her, and at eighteen years of age, her father performed her wedding in their home to William Eugene Morrison on February 3, 1946. After working to help put Gene through The University of New Mexico, she stayed at home to raise their daughter and son. They were members of Hoffmantown Baptist Church for many years where they served beside so many lifelong friends. She enjoyed teaching Sunday School, Training Union, Vacation Bible School, and loved singing in the choir. She later went to work for the Albuquerque Public Schools and retired as an elementary school secretary. She loved working with young children and was loved by them as well. She so loved and adored her husband, Gene with all of her heart. Through all of the twists and turns of life they continued faithful to one another. Even after the death of their only son one month prior to his twelfth birthday, they continued living for Jesus and loving and trusting Him to sustain them in every way. She is remembered by many as the most gentle, kind, and Christ-like woman you could ever meet. She spent her entire life serving her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and serving others around her. She was a loving and caring wife, mother, and grandmother, and was treasured by her friends. She will be greatly missed by so many, but oh so missed most of all by her daughter and family who she lived with since 2003 in Texas. She enjoyed living on their cattle ranch where she spent each and every day keeping track of the baby calves. She spent time with her horses, dogs, cats, and loved on them all. She was such an inspiration to those around her, and you couldn’t help but love her smile, brilliant blue eyes, and sweet disposition. A Visitation will take place Thursday, April 11, 2013 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at FRENCH – Lomas. Her Funeral service will be held Friday, April 12, 2013, 1:00 p.m. at FRENCH - Lomas. Her brother, Rev. Larry Walker will be presiding at her service, and Breaking Blue, Ruth’s favorite folk/bluegrass band will be performing. Please visit our online guestbook for Ruth at www.FrenchFunerals.comFRENCH - Lomas10500 Lomas Blvd. NE(505) 275-3500

Ruth Morrison

June 14, 1927 - April 3, 2013