Ruth Barrows of Plainwell died at Monday, March 4, at age 93.

Born Oct. 14, 1930, she grew up on a farm near Shelbyville and later graduated from Wayland High School.

Ruth married Bernard Barrows in 1950 and they raised four children: Kathy Claus (Phoenix, Arizona), Bruce Barrows (Plainwell), Susan Root (Delton) and David Barrows (Plainwell). Ruth was a grandmother to five grandchildren Kyle, Jessica, Gordy, Jocelyn, Michael and seven great-grandchildren, Brooke, Blake, Alexandra, A.J. Matthew, Leo, and Milo.

Ruth’s life was rich with simple joys. She found solace in her hobbies of reading, gardening, and cooking. Her green thumb and generous spirit led her to volunteer for several years for the City of Plainwell planting flowers in the spring and tending to gardens at various locations, including the Wedgewood Condominiums and Stanford Lodge Assisted Living, where she spent her final years. Ruth’s culinary skills were legendary among her family and friends, with her homemade dinner rolls, baked beans, and holiday treats becoming cherished traditions.

After becoming a widow in 1979, Ruth supported herself through her work in home health care and in the kitchen at what was Cunningham Nursing Home in Plainwell.

Beyond her talents and accomplishments, Ruth was known for her kindness and generosity. She had a compassionate heart and was always willing to lend a helping hand to those in need, whether it was driving a friend to a doctor’s appointment or preparing a meal for a neighbor.

Ruth was preceded in death by her husband, Bernard, her parents Gordon and Helen Culver, and her brother Russell Culver.

In accordance with Ruth’s wishes, there will be no formal service. Instead, her family invites friends and loved ones to honor her memory in their own special way.