Obituary of Ruth Jeanette Stafford

Ruth Jeanette Stafford passed away May 21, 2011 in Federal Way, Washington. Born August 4, 1925 in Blackfoot, Idaho she was the seventh child born to Grant Cyril Hoskins and Minnie Jeanette Jensen. Ruth grew up in Blackfoot, Idaho and in 1945 moved to Auburn, Washington, where she met her husband, Richard Wayne Stafford. They were married December 1, 1946 in Tacoma, Washington. They raised five children in North Auburn where she resided for 56 years. Ruth was employed by the Auburn School District for ten years as a bus driver. She was one of the early members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Green River Valley and served faithfully in the Church. Ruth loved to serve and help her family, neighbors, and friends. Her grandchildren were the light of her life. She loved gardening, walking, and singing. Preceded in death by her husband, Richard, and sons, Brian and Darrell, and three great- grandsons, Jacob, Josiah, and Jonah White. Preceded in death by her parents, by her brothers, Cyril, Lyle, and Neil and by her sisters, Eda, Charlotte, Zelda, and Lavelle . Survived by her sisters Connie Anderson of Arizona, and Donna Fae Thompson of Kansas City and brother, Val Gene of Puyallup. Survived by her sons Richard, Jr. (Jan), David (Cheri), and Donald (Sue) of Auburn and her daughter, Shelley Taylor (Larry) of Antelope, California. Also survived by 23 grandchildren and 44 great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held Saturday, May 28, 2011 at 11 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, North Auburn chapel, 625 M. St. NE. Family and friends may call at 10 a.m. prior to the service. Interment will take place at the Auburn Mountain View Cemetary. Heartfelt thanks to all the staff at Garden Terrace and the nurses of Franciscan hospice who cared for Ruth with compassion and kindness for the past two years.