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Obituary for Ruth E. Chester
Ruth E. Chester, of Gold Beach, went home to be with the Lord on August 16, 2015 in Gold Beach. She was 98. Ruth was born October 17, 1916 in Birmingham, Ala. to William and Mary Frances (Gentry) Clower. Following high school, she graduated from Morrissey Business College. Ruth married Verdery “Red” Chester on November 24, 1939 in Birmingham. They moved to the San Francisco Bay area during WWII and, following a brief return to Alabama after the war, made the Bay area their home. Both Red and Ruth worked for and retired from the University of California at Berkeley. Following retirement, they moved to Gold Beach. Red and Ruth loved to travel during their retirement. Ruth especially enjoyed visiting all the tourist and gift shops at their destinations. Known as the “ultimate hostess”, Ruth would hospitably open their home to family and friends whenever she had the chance. Being active in the First Baptist Church in Gold Beach her hospitality extended to visiting missionaries and newcomers to the church. Ruth also served for many years as a deaconess there. Survivors include her sons, Robert “Bob” Chester and his wife, Nancy of Gold Beach, Ray Chester and his wife, Sue of Mesa, Ariz., grandchildren, Robert L. Chester, Jennifer Figurate, Amy Timeus, Eric Chester and Ryan Chester, and eleven great grandchildren. In addition to her husband, Ruth was preceded in death by her brother, William “Bill” Clower, and sisters, Dorothy and Mary Frances. Viewing will be held from 4 to 8pm on Thursday, August 27, 2015 at Redwood Memorial Chapel, 1020 Fifield St. in Brookings. A graveside service will be at 11:00am on Friday, August 28, 2015 at Rogue River Cemetery in Gold Beach. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, August 29, at First Baptist Church of Gold Beach, 29755 Turner St. in Gold Beach. Redwood Memorial Chapel is assisting the family. Condolences may be expressed online at www.redwoodmemorial.net.