Ruby Alleene Farris

Ruby Alleene Shepperd Farris moved to her permanent home on Monday, April 3, 2017 after suffering a stroke. She was born in Brown County and lived there until her early 20's. In 1941, with a healthy spirit of adventure, she joined a group of friends, hopped in the back of a pickup truck and headed out to San Diego, CA to work in the factories in support of the war. Little did she know, this would be a life-changing decision! When Marvin Farris, a very handsome young man from the next county over back home, walked into her boarding house, the rest was history. They married 3 months later. Her new husband asked her if she wanted to 'work' outside the home or be a homemaker. She chose to be a homemaker and that is what she excelled at for the next 20 years. She had a gift for hospitality; if you were a friend or relative who dropped by unexpectedly, she would offer you a big hug, a glass of iced tea and a meal and you'd probably end up playing a game of dominoes or cards. She loved to cook, often telling us she started making biscuits when she was about 5 years old. She was known for whipping up a meal at the last minute that she called 'guess it'. She was also well known for her sewing abilities. Her daughters have fond memories of 'designing' their own prom dresses-changing a neckline here, a sleeve there, choosing the fabric & color-and she always made it happen beautifully. She delighted in making quilts, potholders, aprons, and gave them away freely, leaving behind a tangible item reminding us of her love. Her outlook on life was truly an inspiration to others. She suffered many tragedies-the loss of a son at a young age, the loss of her husband of 57 years and most recently the loss of her leg and having to be admitted to a nursing home-but she 'gave herself a good talking to' and faced life with a genuine positive attitude. In her last 10 or so years when she was hospitalized for something, she would be quite annoyed by the occurrence. She would look at her daughters with fiery eyes and say "I'm still gonna live to be 100!" Well, she didn't quite make her goal (she'd be a little mad about that). If we love the Lord, as she did with all her heart, we have the blessed assurance we will see her again. She is preceded in death by her son, Roy Lee Farris; and her husband, Marvin L. Farris. She is survived by her two daughters, Mary Jo Hoffmire and her husband Will, and R.J. Rooney and her husband Jim. Also seven grandchildren: Gary Farris of Yakima, WA, Kelly Smith and spouse Josh Fleury of Camano Island, WA, Sara Farrell and spouse Ian of Raymond WA, Thomas Farris and spouse Kim of Kent WA, Samantha Farris and fiancé Bryan Puyana of Renton, WA, Angie Roelofs and spouse Jason of San Antonio, TX and Amanda Deady and spouse Clark of Fischer, TX. Some of her 13 great-grandchildren were old enough to have had the outstanding privilege of knowing and loving her.

Ruby Alleene Farris

September 4, 1919 - April 3, 2017