Ruth G. (Gildon) Golding |
| Posted 2017-06-08 by Judy Wight Branson |
| The Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona Sunday, June 4, 2017, page 6a Ruth Sparks-Golding, “Doing it Her Way” On May 24, 2017 Ruth Sparks-Golding got her wish and took the shuttle to the next stop. Her tough Texas roots anchored her for 95 years, providing nourishment and strength. She was born on October 18, 1921 to Otis Aubrey Gildon and Juette Jane Dunlap in Atlanta, Texas, Cass County. She considered Luther Johnson, her stepfather, a strong positive influence growing up. She ventured first to Dallas, then to California to work as a stenographer, where she met and married Ernie W. Sparks. Their two sons, Gil and Jeff, were born several years later in Albany, Oregon. The family moved to Prescott, Arizona in 1951 where she raised the boys while Ernie served in the Marine Corps and later in the Central Intelligence Agency. After the boys were grown, she married Ken Golding who preceded her in death. She blossomed in her 66 years in Arizona into a true Western woman-independent and capable, creating indoor and outdoor art out of the rusted and worn objects cast off by others. One of her favorite sayings, when asked, “How you doing?”, was “Anybody I can, but I can’t find anyone.” She loved the ranch at Mountain Whisper, which sits in the north shadow of Granite Mountain, and devoted the last 25 years to maintaining and beautifying it with the help of many family, friends, and hired hands. She had a deep commitment to preserving the old ways and nature, passing those traits on to her family. She is survived by her sons, Gil (Kay) and Jeff and grandsons Russell, Chris (Jen), Vincent and Niko. A special thanks to the caregivers at Granite Gate Senior Living, Home Instead Senior Care and Good Samaritan Society - Prescott Hospice, who honored Ruth’s fierce independence and uncompromising standards. She requested to be cremated and her ashes spread over Granite Mountain, but no formal services. The family intends to host a celebration of her life at a later date when her ashes are spread. Any memorial donations can be directed to Noah’s Foundation, Smoki Museum or in memory of the Granite Mountain hotshots. “Thar she goes” Arrangements entrusted to Hampton Funeral Home. Information provided by survivors. |
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