Ruth Joy Garrison died April 24, 2008, surrounded by her husband and children. Ruth was born in Deer Creek, OK on Dec 21, 1921. She was 86 at the time of her death. Ruth was born to Oscar and Alta Valentine, both of whom preceded her in death. Ruth moved with her family to California a few years after her father's death. She married Jay Garrison in Los Angeles in 1942 and worked for Lockheed Aircraft during WWII. Both of her daughters, Daun and Karen, were born while the couple lived in California. After the war, Ruth and Jay moved to Texhoma,OK where they served the Christian Church. In 1951, the family moved to Flagstaff to minister to the First Church of Christ (Christian). Their son David was born here.

Ruth attended ASC (now NAU) and earned her teaching degree and Masters degree in Education. Ruth taught Kindergarten at Mount Elden (Killip) elementary school. At her retirement in 1987, she was recongized as having taught a second generation of families in the same classroom over her 27 year career. Ruth was always active in the Christian Church. She was a singer, teacher, leader and mentor in her church all her adult life. Ruth also sang for many years in the Sweet Adelines. At the time of her death, Ruth was a member of Christ's Church of Flagstaff.

Ruth is survived by her husband Jay, her sister Bette (Jim) Olsen of Palm Springs, CA, daughters Daun (Bill) Newman of Long Beach, CA, Karen (Jim ) Larsen of Talent, OR and son David (Valerie) of Flagstaff, 8 grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be Sunday evening April 27, from 5:00 - 7:00pm at Norvel Owens Mortuary 914 E. Route 66.

Funeral service will be Monday April 28, 10:00am at Christ's Church of Flagstaff 3475 E. Soliere Ave.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the Kulpahar Childrens Home in India (donated through Christ's Church of Flagstaff) or to Northland Hospice.