Betty Ruth Ross

Betty Ruth (Swieringa) Ross, 86, of Greenville, South Carolina, passed away on Sunday, March 24, 2024. Betty was born on June 4, 1937 in Muskegon, Michigan to the late Barney and Hennah (Vanderford) Swieringa. Betty studied at Bob Jones University, Greenville, SC, where she met her late husband Donald Edward Ross. They were married on August 26,1961. Together they ministered though the production evangelistic films in 50 countries and 39 languages with the purpose of leading people to a saving relationship with Jesus Christ. Through their many years of faithful Gospel-centered service, she was a support to her husband and his work with Ken Anderson Films and International Films in Winona Lake, Indiana; Harvest Productions (EBM) in Kokomo, Indiana; and, in their “retirement,” Don Ross Ministries with Open Door Baptist Missions in Greenville, South Carolina.

Betty received Christ as her Savior as a young person while in attending Little Black Lake Church, Norton Shores, MI and after this life-changing decision, she went on to have a testimony for her Lord in the communities where she lived, Winona Lake, Indiana, Atlanta and Kokomo, Indiana, and Greenville, South Carolina. As a busy and creative homemaker, she loved, taught, and supported her children and grandchildren. She was active in children’s and women’s ministries in the local churches she attended.

Betty is survived by her sister-in-law, Phyllis Swieringa, five children Rebecca Henning, Steve (Jan) Ross, Deb (Vic) Crater, Tim (Kim) Ross, and Michael (Melissa) Ross; fifteen grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and many “adopted” young people whom she considered her own through the years.

Betty was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, brothers Bob Swieringa and Jim Swieringa, sister-in-law, Melvina Swieringa, and son-in-law Jonathan Henning.

A memorial service will be held at 3:30 on Friday April 12 at Hampton Park Baptist Church, 875 State Park Rd, Greenville, SC 29609. The family will receive visitors after the service until 5:00.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to a ministry that has become valuable to our family and that Betty respected and supported, Hidden Treasure Christian School, 500 W Lee Rd, Taylors, SC 29687 (864) 235-6848.