Ruth Green
KATY, Texas — Ruth Green, a petite woman with a mighty spirit, was born in Gladstone, Michigan. Her father, a railroad engineer, often moved the family to various communities along his routes which began a love for traveling which she eventually shared with her own children and grandchildren. Ruth graduated from Gladstone High School and began her career in secretarial work and selling tickets at the local movie theater.
In June 1951, Ruth married William “Bill” Green. After William completed his engineering degree in 1952, the family relocated to Fort Wayne, Indiana, where their children, Carl and Linda, were born. The Green family’s journey didn’t stop there; they lived in Bay City, Rochester, and Birmingham, Michigan; Lynchburg, Virginia; Pine Bluff, Arkansas; Lexington, Kentucky; and ultimately, Katy, Texas.
Throughout these moves, Ruth persisted in her education. She earned a teaching degree from the University of Kentucky and continued to gain her master’s from Eastern Kentucky University. Even before she completed her degrees, Ruth taught kindergarten in private church-based programs. In Kentucky, she became one of the first kindergarten teachers hired by the public school system, pioneering their kindergarten curriculum and receiving recognition for her innovative contributions.
Ruth’s passion for teaching and her love for children were evident throughout her life. Alongside her teaching career and raising her own children, she was deeply involved in her community, participating in PTAs, church activities, the League of Women Voters, Girl Scouts, and Cub Scouts. As noted earlier, she found great joy in taking her granddaughters, Kara and Kacy, across the country to various landmarks, teaching them something about each stop along the way.
Upon retiring from full-time teaching, Ruth continued to substitute in Fayette County schools and volunteered with the Kentucky Association of Professional Educators (KAPE). Her dedication to increasing KAPE’s membership was commendable, contributing significantly to the organization’s outreach and support for educators.
Ruth is preceded in death by her husband Bill, son-in-law Thomas Larvin, and great-granddaughter Harper Hughes. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Carl and Wanda Green; her daughter, Linda Larvin; her granddaughters Kara Hughes (and husband Andrew) and Kacy Duensing (and husband John); as well as her great-grandchildren Madalyn, Hope, Henry, Clara, Grayson, and Reagan.
Ruth’s legacy is one of steadfast dedication, educational advancement, and an enduring love for teaching, family and children. It’s also a testament to what one can achieve and accomplish in the later years of their life. In just the last two years, Ruth lost and regained her license to drive, a great success story and adequate illustration of her independence, resilience and tenacity. In honor of Ruth’s love for country and teaching, in lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to the Little Patriots program at the American Cornerstone Institute at www.americancornerstone.org