Sister Ruth McLain

Sister Ruth McLain

Our church lost a very special lady on Sunday, May 20, 2012... Sister Ruth McLain.  The reaction when many heard the news at church was first shock, sadness and then the realization that Sister Ruth was seeing her Savior face to face for the first time. Oh what joy she is experiencing.

Sister Ruth touched many lives over the years she walked on this earth.  She especially touched the children in our community.  Sister Ruth started the bus ministry in our church and picked up children every Sunday.  I've heard stories of Sister Ruth going inside homes to help children get dressed if they were not ready when she came by to pick them up. She loved all the children and treated them the same.

I asked a lady at work if she knew Sister Ruth. She said no but she had heard of her. She remembered that Sister Ruth drove the church bus.  I'm sure that there are many others that could say the same thing. Most may not know that Sister Ruth bought the first bus with her own money.  Going to church was very important to her and helping children get there became one of her missions in life.

I've asked several people what first comes to mind when they think about Sister Ruth.  Most said they remembered her smile. She always had a smile on her face and a twinkle in her eye. They also remembered what good hugs Sister Ruth could give.  

Sister Ruth was a Sunday School teacher. She enjoyed teaching children about Jesus. Tonya Lynn was one of her students. She was telling me yesterday that Sister Ruth would come to her house and teach the Sunday School lesson if she was sick and not able to attend church.  Sister Ruth did this to help the children that wanted to keep a perfect attendance record.  Tonya also rode on Sister Ruth's bus.  Even though Tonya's mom and dad attended church, she wanted to ride with Sister Ruth because it was fun.  She loved being with Sister Ruth.

Pastor Lynn and Sister Daphine both have fond memories of Sister Ruth. They said she never complained. Always had a smile on her face.  She was very protective of the children.  The only times she would get a little ruffled always had something to do with them. She also didn't like to see the children get in trouble.  Years ago during a church renovation, she purchased lattice for workers in the church to build a temporary wall so items could be put behind it. She thought out of sight and out of mind.  By putting the items behind the temporary wall the children would not get in trouble for messing with anything.

At the florist today, I talked with Becky who has especially fond memories of Sister Ruth. When she was growing up, she lived right next door.  Becky said her best memories of church when she was a little girl always include Sister Ruth. She remembered coloring rows and rows of Easter eggs for the big hunt.

I have a very special memory that I shared with Sister Ruth. My son Jared died in 2002. After his death I went to the cemetery every afternoon. I would take a blanket and my Bible and just sit. I would cry, pray, and eventually go back home. One day I was sitting on my blanket and a car drove by and then stopped.  Out came Sister Ruth. I stood up as she walked towards me. She grabbed my hand and just held it as my tears flowed. She had a few tears flowing down her face too. We stood like that for a while. Neither of us saying anything. It was comforting to just be there together holding hands. Sister Ruth then shared with me that she had lost a son many years before. I then understood that she knew my pain. I will never forget that moment.

I know many others have stories about Sister Ruth and how she touched their lives.  We pray that her family will be comforted knowing that she was loved by many. 

Sister Ruth leaves a rich legacy for her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. We pray in the days ahead that each will be comforted with special memories and the knowledge of how precious they were to her. May they also be comforted knowing that she has reached her destination and is rejoicing.

Sister Ruth will live on in our hearts and our memories. We will miss her.

Matthew 19:13-14  "Then little children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked those who brought them. Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."