Commissioner Ruth Osborne

COMMISSIONER RUTH OSBORNE, Order of the Founder Commissioner Ruth Osborne, Order of the Founder and retired United States President of Women’s Organizations for The Salvation Army was, as Salvationists say, Promoted to Glory at 12:30 AM on Thursday, March 2, 2017 from Suncoast Hospice where she had been fighting a malignant growth on her pancreas. Ruth’s parents were Salvation Army Officers, Major John and Anna Campbell. She was born in Connellsville, Pennsylvania on October 23, 1921.Following attending the University of Baltimore she worked at the Federal Communications Department in Washington, DC, attending George Washington University. It was during this time she met her future husband, James Osborne. She was trained as a Salvation Army Officer at the Evangeline Booth College in Atlanta, Georgia and commissioned as a Salvation Army Officer on June 2, 1947. She served as an active Officer for 46 years by the side of her husband in a variety of local, regional and national appointments. They were honorably retired in July 1993. They both continued service on many occasions even in retirement years. She being a very vital part of their shared ministry and service through nearly 70 years. Possessing an unquenchable love for people she endeared herself to thousands over the years who now rise up to call her blessed. She was a program planner without peer and a talented speaker. Her outstanding service was recognized by her being awarded the Order of the Founder by General Andre Cox on June 1, 2014. This is the highest award given to Salvationists. She was the wife of Commissioner James Osborne for 71 plus years, Mother of Connie (Don) Canning and foster daughter Minnie Orsburn, Grandmother to Philip (Elaine) Canning and Stephanie (Victor) Rutledge and six (6) great grandchildren, Abigail and Jackson Canning, Caroline, Taylor, Allison and Levi Rutledge, who miss her beyond words ability to express. Her Celebration of Life Service will be at The Salvation Army, 1625 North Belcher Road at 10:30 am on Tuesday, March 7, 2017. The family will receive visitors on Monday evening, March 6, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Sylvan Abby United Methodist Church, 2817 Sunset Point Road, Clearwater, FL (next door to Sylvan Abbey Funeral Home) and for 30 minutes before the Tuesday Service at The Salvation Army. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to The Salvation Army.