Ruth Jorgensen

Ruth was born to Percy Lawson and Ariel Lawson in a small rural town in Tennessee but would later move with her family to the city of Nashville. She grew up in Tennessee during the Great Depression and World War II. Ruth accepted Jesus Christ as her savior as a youngster and remained a lifelong member of the Church of Christ. She graduated from Cohn High School as WWII was ending. After graduation, she married at the age of 17 y/o. She worked as an executive assistant for National Life Insurance for a few years in Nashville. She later gave birth to two sons (Ken; b.1950 & DeWayne; b.1954). In 1955, she moved west with her family to Southern California. In California, she continued to work as an executive secretary and key punch operator. She enjoyed family camping, road trips across the U.S. and weekends away in the Idyllwild Mountains with friends & family. National Parks were frequent destinations.

In 1980 she remarried and together, they were active members in the Foresters, the Orange County Holger Danish Lodge, and the Senior Center until her husband’s passing. Together, they traveled extensively throughout Europe, China and across the U.S. with a special affinity for visits to Denmark and Hawai’i. They especially enjoyed ocean Cruises near and far.

Ruth loved listening to the Bible and later watching (with the advent of TV and Internet) Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry. She especially enjoyed playing card games and bingo. Ruth had a smile that lit up the room, she loved meeting and welcoming new people and was gifted with southern hospitality (good home cooking, charm, helpfulness, and generosity) and was always up for a good conversation. Her life was one of faith, family, friends, fun, and food.

Ruth is survived by her two sons (Kenneth Green of Oakhurst, CA & DeWayne Green of Anaheim Hills, CA), her daughter-in-love (Lisa), four beloved grandchildren (Daniel, Michael, Melinda & James) and three great grandchildren (Annabelle, Weston & William) whom she adored. Ruth loved babies and having three great grandchildren made her face light up.

We will all miss her dearly.