Ruth Hutson

Ruth Hutson was a compassionate and kindhearted woman with a great sense of humor that endeared everyone to her. Her life was not marked by glitz and glamour, but instead a stable and fulfilled commitment to the true bounties of life. Ruth Esther Hutson was born to her parents, Thomas and Helen (Bush) Hutson, on December 17, 1947, in Grand Haven, Michigan. She was later joined in the Hutson household by her younger siblings, Caroline and James. The three of them shared many happy childhood memories together growing up in Fruitport Township. There were times when Ruth and Caroline couldnt help but pick on their pesky little brother, and often tried to get him to eat their mud pies. Ruths father earned a living as a block layer, while her mother stayed home and cared for the children. As a young girl, Ruth enjoyed being active in 4-H, where she learned to knit and crochet, which she in turn taught her sister how to do. When strawberries and blueberries were in season, Ruth and Caroline would work as pickers to earn extra money for school clothes. For education, Ruth attended Beach Elementary School in Cloverville, and graduated from Fruitport High in 1967. Thereafter, she worked as a dishwasher at a local restaurant for a while. With her earnings, Ruth bought herself a pretty nice 1950s Buick complete with fins, which was her true pride and joy. When it came time for her sister, Caroline, to learn to drive, Ruth took her in her Buick. Ruth was married for a short time, but it ended in divorce. Ruth enjoyed raising parakeets, some of which she sent to pet stores to be sold. At the age of 50, she endured some pretty rough times and entered protective services. Ruth then went to live at a foster home in Greenville, Michigan, which she called home for several years. She also enjoyed being outdoors, tending to a small garden. For many years, Ruth had her sister, Caroline, search for the old Toni perms, which she gave herself and others in the home. One of her favorite weekly activities was going to the nearby Burger King with other residents of the home. Even in the end, when Ruth had to go into the hospital, she wanted to know about her Burger King coupons and if someone would sneak her in a hamburger. The one thing that upheld Ruth throughout her life was her faith in God. She was a member of the First Congregational United Church of God in nearby Sheridan, Michigan, where she faithfully attended Bible studies, prayer meetings and tract distribution. All who knew Ruth will greatly miss this warm, loving lady. Ruth died on Thursday, January 3, 2008, in the hospital at the age of 60. Upon the request of the folks at the foster home, Ruth's favorite parakeet was donated to them to remember her by. She is survived by her sister, Caroline (Stephen Sr.) Hoag of Muskegon; 2 nephews: Gary & Stephen Hoag; and great nephew, Brett Hoag. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, James Hutson. Services for Ruth will be held on Tuesday, January 8, at 1:00 p.m. at Clock Chapel of Clock Life Story Funeral Home in Fruitport, with Pastor Scott Church officiating. Interment at Fruitport Cemetery. A time of visitation is set aside on Tuesday, 1 hour prior to the service at Clock Life Story Funeral Home - Fruitport. Memorial contributions may be made to the First Congregational Church of Christ Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 146, 113 S. Main Street, Sheridan, MI 48884, or Gowen Bible Church, 111430 Pine Street, Gowen, MI 49326. Please visit Ruths memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a memory with her family or sign her online guest book.