Tributes

Ruth Givens was born in Boerne, Texas, on July 16, 1917 and passed away on January 5, 2010 in San Antonio, Texas. A descendant of the Founding Fathers of Kendall County, Ruth was the eldest child of Joseph E. and Erna Richter Sill. She was married to James B. Rylander for 45 years, with whom she raised three children. As a resident of San Antonio for 72 years, Ruth was a lifelong member of Los Angeles Heights Methodist Church and a dedicated employee of the San Antonio Independent School District Administrative Office for 25 years. She was married to Air Force Major Edward A. Givens from 1988 to 2000. Ruth is preceded in death by James B. Rylander Sr., Major Edward A. Givens, her son James B. Rylander Jr., three brothers and one sister. She is survived by daughter Carolyn Cloud and husband L.D. of Houston, Texas; daughter Mary Lynn Hollis and husband Loyd of Jenks, Oklahoma; brother Joseph E. Sill Jr. of Boerne, Texas; and six grandchildren Carrie Cloud of New York City; Reagan James Rylander of Redding, California; Katie Hanson Burchart and husband Travis of Jenks, Oklahoma; Emily Rylander Meil and husband Gabe of San Francisco, California; Karen Elizabeth Rylander of Denver, Colorado; Julie Hanson Battaglia and husband Jason of Hoboken, New Jersey, two great grandchildren Trace Benton Burchart and Isabella Kate Burchart, and numerous nieces and nephews. Ruth's stalwart love for her faith, family and friends centered a fruitful life in her beloved Texas Hill Country. She took immense pride in her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, and their diverse accomplishments in Law, Education, Architecture, Publishing, Business, Design, Culinary Arts, and even the Broadway stage. Ruth was passionate about cooking, baking, painting, ceramics, gardening and the art of sewing. She was an active member of United Methodist Women, the San Antonio Low Vision Club, Widows, Etcetera of Wayside Chapel, and Texas Retired Educators, as well as an Honorary Member of the Towne & Country Optimists Club of San Antonio. The family would like to extend their deepest appreciation to Dr. Robert Goff, as well as the staff of Methodist Hospital in San Antonio, Morningside Ministries at Menger Springs, and the US Renal Care Boerne. A veiwing will begin at 1:00 pm on Friday, January 8, 2010 at Mission Park Funeral Chapels North. FUNERAL SERVICES WILL BE HELD ON SATURDAY, JANUARY 9th AT 12:00 pm AT WAYSIDE CHAPEL IN SAN ANTONIO 1705 N.W. Loop 410, with interment to follow in Mission Park Burial Park North 20900 IH 10 West. A celebration of Ruth's life will then commence at the Tapatio Springs Golf Resort & Conference Center in Boerne 314 Blue Heron Boulevard. Contributions can be made to the American Kidney Fund or the American Foundation for the Blind.

Tributes

Ruth R. Givens

July 16, 1917 - January 5, 2010