Ruth Armstrong Blasingame

Willie “Ruth” Blasingame, 81, of Abilene passed away on February 3, 2012 at her home surrounded by her loving family. Services will be at 2:00 pm Monday, February 6, 2012 at Piersall Funeral Home, 733 Butternut St. A time of visitation with the family will be held Sunday from 2:30-4:30 pm at the funeral home.


Ruth was born to J.P. and Beulah Armstrong in Lubbock County, Texas on January 18, 1931. She married the love of her life, Ross Blasingame, on November 1, 1947 in Plainview, Texas, recently celebrating 64 years of marriage. She graduated valedictorian from Petersburg High School on May 21, 1948. As the wife of a long-time minister of the gospel and mother of five, Ruth worked alongside Ross in numerous roles. Ruth taught mentally and physically handicapped children, was a Girl Scout leader and eagerly assisted the elderly. Ross and Ruth moved to Abilene in 1970 and began worshiping with the S. 11th and Willis Church of Christ. They were instrumental in beginning the deaf ministry at Willis in 1971. Ruth traveled to Kenya to work with the deaf in 1987, ’89, and ’91. After Willis started building Sam’s Place, an orphanage for deaf children in Kenya, she taught Willis women how to quilt. Together they made over 40 quilts for Sam’s Place. She loved to travel, and through friendships made over the years, they had places to stay from New York to Oregon. She loved her family, serving others and most of all, her God.


Surviving Ruth is her husband Ross; sons Raymond Blasingame and his wife Colleen of Abilene, Thomas Blasingame of Luling, Texas, and Guy Blasingame and wife Julie of Mesquite, Texas; two daughters Belinda Clare and husband David of Austin, Texas and Marilyn Lewis of Abilene; a brother Cecil Armstrong and wife Betty of Lubbock, Texas; sister-in-law Bonnie Armstrong; 11 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews as well as a world full of non-related kin. She was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters, one brother, two sisters-in-law, son-in-law David Lewis and granddaughter Rachel Marie Blasingame.


The family is grateful for the love and care shown by all those who ministered to Ruth during her last days.

Donations may be made to Sam’s Place at www.willismissions.org or Sears Methodist Hospice. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.pbfuneraldirectors.com .