Ruth was born on June 12, 1928 in Lowry City, Missouri to Roy O. and Bertha Simmons Foster, the second of seven children.

She was married to Robert E. (Bob) Thornton on February 17, 1970 in Las Vegas, Nevada.  Bob preceded her in death on August 29, 2003.

She was a member of the Second Baptist Church of Springfield.

Also preceding her in death was her only child, a son, Jerry Pettus, her parents, sister Mary Lou Eaton, brothers Harold Foster, Roy I. Foster and Jim Foster, and a great-grandson Dillon Walrath.

She leaves granddaughters Stephanie Nichols and husband, Mark, and Sara Heistand and husband, Gerald, all of Clinton, MO, step-son Terry Thornton and wife Carolyn of Bixby, OK, step-grandchildren Tim Thornton and wife Donna of Mustang, OK, and Natalie Armstrong and husband Lyle of Branson, MO, as well as great-grandchildren Clifford Nichols, Allison and Cole Heistand, Meredith De Garmo and husband Dillon, Mackenzie Thornton, and Mitchell and Cameron Armstrong.

Also surviving are sister Frances Lightner of Springfield, MO, brother David Foster and wife Carolyn of Raytown, MO, sisters-in-law Lela Foster of Litchfield, IL, and Judy Foster of Raytown, MO, and brother-in-law Mac Eaton of Blue Springs, MO, along with several nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be Friday, October 11, 2019 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home.  Funeral Services will follow at 11:00 AM in the funeral home.  Burial will be in Hazelwood Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Access Hospice, 1403 W. State Hwy J, Ozark, MO 65721, or Second Baptist Church, 3111 Battlefield Rd., Springfield, MO 65804.