By: Julie Burkett

Julie Burkett — Thu, 08 Aug 2013 13:13:11 +0000

Ruth was a special person in my life also. When I was a young, new missionary in Sierra Leone, Ruth was there as a friend and encourager. We always enjoyed being with her. She just had such as positive outlook on life and as Dave said, had so many great stories to tell. A couple of good memories for me: Ruth asked me if I’d like to go along to Freetown (we lived in Bumpe then) to visit the UB primary schools with her, as she presented lessons in Religious Knowledge and took new materials to the teachers. We were gone for close to a week, I think, and it was such a fun time and I really enjoyed being with Ruth and seeing the schools, the kids and teachers. A few months later, Ruth was needing to write some new material for the schools and had a deadline to get it done, but she was in bed with a bad back and couldn’t sit up, which made writing difficult. She was staying at June Brown’s home, just across the compound from us, so we decided she could dictate and I could write. Our son, Billy, was about 3 months old, so he came along, lying on Ruth’s bed beside her, happy and smiling at her and she always remembered that. Even though we didn’t get to see Ruth much in the years since being in Africa together, it was like you had just seen her and picked up the conversation where you left off the last time — I expect it will be like that when we see her again in heaven!

By: Dave Datema

Dave Datema — Mon, 05 Aug 2013 17:17:53 +0000

I agree wholeheartedly Steve. Ruth was 100% unique and all to the good. She is easily one of my most admired women I’ve ever known. She will truly be missed by all of us who had the chance to know her. She was larger than life, from her 6 foot plus frame to her contagious personality. A GREAT story-teller, even the second and third time hearing it. The UB world has lost a gem.

Comments on: A Few Words about Ruth Benner

By: Julie Burkett

By: Dave Datema