Ruth Pearson

Ruth Virginia Pearson

A Life and Legacy of Strength and Determination

Ruth Virginia Pearson was born in Panama City, Panama on February 18, 1934 as the oldest of 3 children to Wilfred and Catherine Anglin. Ruth, whose name means “Friend,” has been described by many who held her in such high regard as not only a friend but a fierce and feisty woman who loved her family deeply and consistently displayed a strength, determination, and focus that was unmatched. She was truly a powerful force all by herself. It was often said that “if she believed in it, then it would be so.”

Ruth was truly one of kind. She had a presence and voice that would command respect and set the atmosphere for an entire room. Her laugh and smile were truly distinct and are certainly among the many things that will be remembered about her.

While living in Panama City, Ruth met and fell in love with a handsome young Army Sergeant stationed in Panama City by the name of Benjamin Celess Pearson. The two married on July 23, 1960. After a year of being married, Benjamin was transferred to Fort Bragg, North Carolina. This transfer would not only mark one of the bravest and strongest moves for Ruth as she set out to be the first and only member of her family to leave her home country but it would prove to be life changing and launch unprecedented determination and strength for her children and the generations to follow. Ruth’s daughters, Marcia and Damaris, recall witnessing their mom’s determination to get them to the states. This determination brought a new sense of liberty which was literally confirmed as the USS Geiger sailed them past the Statue of Liberty on Ellis Island. This feeling and image of new freedom, liberty, and possibilities will forever be engrained in the hearts and minds of Ruth’s daughters – and will forever be the family’s story of strength and determination passed down from generation to generation; reminding us yet again that “if she believed it, then it would be so.”

Pressing forward into her new life, Ruth officially became a United States citizen on April 14, 1965. For most individuals, this would be the ultimately goal; but for Ruth, this was merely the beginning.

Over the years, her husband, Benjamin was transferred to various army bases including Europe. It was during his time in Nuremburg, Germany that this loving union brought forth a son by the name of Benjamin Carlos Pearson on September 26, 1970.

The army eventually transferred Benjamin Pearson to Aurora, CO. Upon arriving in Aurora, Ruth pursued one of her dreams of helping children reach their dreams. She tirelessly worked toward her career goals and ultimately achieved her goal of becoming a paraprofessional educator within the Denver Public School District. As a paraprofessional educator, Ruth made it her mission to enhance the life of every child who she would come into contact with. Ruth never forgot where she came from and used Spanish, her first language, to connect with Spanish speaking students, ensuring that they never felt limited or behind in any way. Her strength and determination were not only embraced and admired by her students but often imitated by her students. Ruth became the most beloved teacher on her campus. This was confirmed by the fact that her car would be the only cleaned off car in the faculty parking lot on snow days. Her students refused to let her car accumulate snow. And if it did, they refused to let her be the one to remove it. They loved her just as much as she loved them.

Ruth’s husband, Benjamin, eventually retired as an Army Master Sergeant and was awarded the prestigious Purple Heart award given in the name of the President of the United States of America. Benjamin passed away on October 10, 1989.

Ruth continued to exude an indescribable strength, focus, and determination as she pressed forward accomplishing goal after goal. She not only found her calling in the academic world but she also found her calling in the church world. Ruth served faithfully for many years as a Deacon, member of the JOY (Just Older Youth) Club, and Ordained Teacher at Colorado Christian Fellowship.

Ruth eventually retired from teaching in 2009 but continued serving her church and family with fervor.

Ruth exemplified strength and determination all the way until the day our Lord decided that it was time for her to return home to Him. It was on Thursday, July 8, 2021 that Ruth completed her Earthly assignment and transitioned back into the eternal presence of Jesus Christ.

Ruth’s life and legacy is one filled with friendship, family, focus, faith, and finishing everything she and God had decided she would finish.

In addition to leaving behind a legacy of strength and determination, Ruth leaves to carry on that strength and determination, her daughter Marcia Stepter (husband Trelles), her daughter Damaris Pearson, her son Benjamin Carlos Pearson (wife Emily), 17 Grandchildren, 14 Great-Grandchildren, and a host of extended family, friends, and loved ones.