ELLEN RUTH ASH

Ellen Ruth Ash, 89, died Friday, Feb. 11, 2005, in a local nursing home. Graveside service will be at 2 p.m. Monday, Feb. 14, at Fairmount Cemetery. The Rev. M.W. "Skip" Hill will officiate. Ruth was born Jan. 22, 1916, in Whitney to Lois and Buford Cowan. On Dec. 10, 1933, she married Eris Lee Ash. Ruth worked 30 years in county clerks' offices in Kimble, Jones, Taylor and Tom Green counties, retiring briefly before joining Poulter Abstract in San Angelo. She retired completely in 1993 and devoted her remaining years to her family. Known as "Mom" to her sons and as "Mo" or "Sister" to the rest of her family, Ruth touched many people with her devotion to loved ones and made us laugh with her quick wit. We will remember her most for being resilient, for standing up for her family and for herself and for tempering her honesty with love. Ruth was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; one son, Joe Ash; two brothers, Wood Cowan and Kenneth Cowan; and one sister, Doris Marie Cowan. She is survived by two sons, Lee Allen Ash and his wife Rhuenell of San Angelo and David Ash and his wife Randelle of Carrollton; two grandchildren, Allyson Reynolds Dixon of San Angelo and Edward Ash of San Marcos; two great-grandsons, Eric Reynolds of Wichita, Kan., and Michael Dixon of Bedford; a brother, Joe Cowan and his wife Eunice of Seguin; a sister, Betty Salters of Albany; and numerous nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank VistaCare and Riverside Health Care. Memorial gifts may be made to Meals for the Elderly.