Ruth Forbus

Ruth Puente Forbus, a devoted wife, loving mother, cherished grandmother & great-grandmother, and a steadfast woman of faith, passed away peacefully on November 24, 2024, with family at her side. She was 92 years old.

Born during the Great Depression, Ruth grew up without a mom, who passed away before Ruth's 5th birthday. She was the 5th of 6 children, and her father was not able to care for all six children as a single dad.

As a child, Ruth and her sister Loida got into mischief. They "played hooky" from school, snuck into the movie theatre for free movies, and never got caught. Mom said, "We didn't get bored. We saw a lot of movies." To correct their steps and keep them in school, Ruth and her sister were sent to live in an orphans' home.

There, Ruth and Loida thrived under the loving care of their house mother, Miss Bailey. Ruth excelled in English studies, too. Her favorite subjects were poetry and reading, despite not being proficient in English until her middle school years. By the time she was in 9th grade, Ruth won the class Spelling Bee.

After high school, Ruth had jobs working at a Bible college in San Antonio and at a hospital in Houston as a ward clerk. She was 25 years old when she met Alen Monroe Forbus, who followed her around the movie theatre until he had the nerve to ask her out on a date. After a brief courtship, they were married on April 3, 1958. Their first born son, James Alen Forbus, was born in late December that year.

When Alen could not find work in Houston, Alen, Ruth, and James moved to California in search of work, and where they grew their family. Ruth supported Alen in his career as a contractor and devoted herself to raising her children with the values of kindness, service, generosity, and faith in Jesus Christ. Ruth also gave her time to volunteer organizations reflecting her commitment to helping others.

As a devoted mother, a giving person, a Meals on Wheels volunteer, and a woman of faith, Ruth exemplified love, faith, generosity, selfless service, and a life well lived to be emulated by others.

She is preceded in death by her husband of 47 years, Alen, and four of her siblings, Ernest, Edward, Pedro, and Grace. She is survived by her younger sister Loida; her six children, James, Jenney, Mark, John, Stephen, and Ruthie; as well as six grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter.

Her children will come together in a private celebration-of-life gathering.