Ruth Jones

Ruth Matthews Hannan Jones, 97, of Monrovia, California passed away on May 4, 2023. She was preceded in death by her brother James Hannan of Colorado, her sister and brother-in-law Helen and Elmer Berryhill of Texas.

She is survived by her husband of 67 years, Cornelius (Neil) C. Jones; her daughters Grace, Barbara, and Judy; her grandchildren Bethany, Joshua and Reginae, grandson-in-law Josh; and great grandsons; her sister-in-law Sharon (Berkman) Jones; and eight nieces and nephews.

Ruth was born on March 15, 1926, in Coffeeville, Kansas, to Maudie and James Hannan and grew up in Pueblo, Colorado. Upon graduating from Central High School in Pueblo, she enrolled at Mary Hardin Baylor, in Texas. After a year, she joined the U.S. Cadet Nursing program and studied nursing at Missouri Baptist Hospital in St. Louis. Later, she attended Berkeley Baptist Divinity School, eventually transferring to the University of California at Berkeley, for her nursing education degree.  She met Neil at a church function, who was working on his MBA.  They married in June 1956.

Ruth and Neil were commissioned by the American Baptist Foreign Mission Society for work in Assam, India in 1957.  Prior to sailing to India, their oldest daughter Grace was born, in New Your City.  Daughters Judy and Barbara were both born in India. Ruth helped develop literature programs for women, taught nursing at the mission hospital, and was also one of the founders - in 1967- of Nichols English School (known as Nichols Higher Secondary School today).  

In 1972, Neil and Ruth were transferred to Bangkok, Thailand, where Ruth was active in several groups supporting Thai tribal women, using handcrafts to earn money, and helping refugees.  She was also able to use her nursing skills volunteering in several refugee camps in Thailand.   

Neil and Ruth returned to the US in 1980.  She worked as a Registered Nurse.  They eventually settled in Eagleville, Pennsylvania, becoming members of the Lower Providence Baptist Church, where she sang in the choir, was active in the women’s group, and other service programs in the community. Ruth retired in 1996.

In May 2021, Ruth & Neil moved to Monrovia, California, close to their three daughters and two of their grandchildren. As Neil said, “We started in California, now we will finish in California.”

A Memorial Service for Ruth Jones will be held on June 24, 2023, 10:30 a.m. at the First Baptist Church of Monrovia-Arcadia located at 223 S. Encinitas Ave., Monrovia, CA 91016.  Following the service, a luncheon reception will be held at the church.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that a donation be made to either The First Baptist Church Monrovia-Arcadia or selecting a Nursing or Health Project with International Ministries at https://www.internationalministries.org/category/projects in the memory of Ruth H. Jones.

Arrangements are under the care of Douglass & Zook Funeral and Cremation Services, Monrovia, CA.