Ruth Emma (Thomas) Murray was born to Roy and Ethel (Hughes) Thomas, August 26, 1921, in Springfield, MO.  She was their only child.  Ruth spent her childhood in Springfield, living next door to (and later working in) her father's independent grocery (Thomas Market) at the corner of Division and Clay Streets.  In 1945, she married Thomas Middlemus Murray, and they immediately left Springfield as Tom was serving in the Navy.  After a few years, Tom left the Navy and they returned to Springfield where both Tom and Ruth worked in the store.  In 1951, Ruth accompanied Tom as he was recalled to the Navy for the Korean War, and together they lived in Florida, Louisiana, Texas, New Jersey, California, and Alaska, before finally settling and eventually retiring in the San Diego area.  Ruth was a homemaker but also worked and volunteered at Red Cross and USO, and did a lot of "used clothing relief work".   They had no children but Ruth kept up with an extended family.  Their dear friends, Pete Wussow and wife Michaele, looked after Tom and Ruth in their senior years as their health declined.  Tom preceded Ruth in death in 2015.  Ruth passed away peacefully in Carlsbad, California, on August 19, 2019, just a week shy of her 98th birthday.  Ruth will return home to Springfield for burial next to Tom in the Thomas Family plot in Maple Park Cemetery.  A graveside service will be held at 11:00, Saturday, September 14, 2019.