Ruth Boren

Ruth was born in Irving, but spent most of her life in Lubbock. In 1939 she married Charles Boren-who said that when he first saw her he thought she was “cuter than a speckled pup under a wagon.” With her perfectly cut red hair, her straight posture and her impeccable appearance, Ruth never stopped being cuter than that speckled pup.

Ruth was the only girl in a family with five boys. Being the next to oldest child, she spent a lot of time caring for her brothers. Once married, she decided that as much as she loved all her brothers, she’d had enough of waiting on the “menfolk” and that she and Charles would do things a little differently. Which they did. However, she was a caretaker at heart and she never stopped trying to take care of her family, including caring for her mother daily, spending many hours visiting friends and family in the hospital and always being there when someone was in need. One of her great qualities was being able to set aside any disagreements or differences and just step in with love when there was a crisis.

Ruth never met a stranger. She loved being with people. Once she could no longer drive, Ruth spent countless hours on the phone with her friends and family. She talked to her closest friends Jewell and Tommie daily. She was always happy when anyone called or stopped by. Along with her daughter, grandchildren and great grandchildren, she loved keeping up with her brothers and their wives and all of her nieces and nephews and their children and grandchildren. No one was left out, she was interested in us all. Even during the last year or so of her life, after moving into an assisted living apartment, she continued to make new friends. Although her vision was very limited, as she would walk through the dining room she would take a moment to stop and chat with one or two people at almost every table.

Ruth loved to be active. She always enjoyed sports and games and music and dancing. Some of her daughter Char’s favorite memories as a child were turning on the music and dancing around the house with her mother. She had bowling and tennis trophies that she kept her entire life and once she discovered bridge, she was hooked for years. When her physical capabilities limited what she could do, she still enjoyed listening to music and the occasional football game. Her body limited her, but her mind still enjoyed it all.

Ruth is survived by one daughter, Char Shamel, of Ohio, granddaughter, Shonda (Francois) Ayello, of California, two great grandsons, Felix and Oliver Barnes, of Pennsylvania, two brothers, John (Gisela) Modawell, of Washington and Ronald (Pat) Modawell, of Texas, sister in law, Joy Modawell, of Texas, 13 much loved nieces and nephews and two special friends, Jewell and Tommie.

Ruth was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, Charles L. Boren, daughter, Darlene Boren, grandson, Captain Charles Jackson Barnes, and three brothers, Gilbert Modawell, Ike Modawell and Paul Modawell.