Obituary: Ruth Barbara Rodgers

Ruth Barbara Rodgers
February 10, 2023

February 9, 1924 — January 6, 2023

Ruth Barbara Rodgers, 98, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, in her home in Eugene on Jan. 6, 2023.

She was a loving wife and devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-, great-grandmother.

Ruth was born on Feb. 9, 1924, to Manual and Alice Braga in Fall River, Massachusetts. She spent her childhood in Fall River and attended BMC Durfee High School, where she met the love of her life, John Rodgers. They were married on Dec. 11, 1943, when John was on leave from the Navy.

In 1945, Sheila was born, followed by Sharon in 1949. In 1952 they left their families, friends and home in Fall River and made the journey west in their brand new 1952 Chevrolet to join John’s older brother and family in Dallas, Oregon. Soon after they settled in Eugene. During this time, three sons were born: John Jr. (Jack) in 1954, Jeff in 1957, and David in 1961.

They absolutely loved Oregon. The family spent many years exploring, camping, hiking, and enjoying the mountains, desert, lakes, rivers and the coast. All were favorites of Ruth.

In 1974, John and Ruth moved to Ashland and stayed in southern Oregon until 2004, when John became ill and passed. Following John’s passing Ruth moved back to Eugene, where her daughter and family were residing.

Ruth was an amazing, happy woman who loved her life, family, gardening, scrapbooking, and storytelling; and boy, could she tell a story!

Ruth is survived by four of her five4er children: Sheila Clemans (husband Steve) of Kennewick, Washington; Sharon Harbert (husband Joe) of Eugene, Oregon; Jeff (wife Lisa) of Phoenix, Oregon; and David (wife Kaniz) of Beaverton, Oregon; 17 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild. Ruth was preceded in death by her mother, father, sister, husband, John and son, Jack. A family celebration of life is planned for this summer.

Obituaries may be submitted to Ashland.news via our online article submission form, or via email to news@ashland.news, with a photo or two attached if desired. Please be sure to include dates of birth and death, and reference to connections to Ashland/Talent/Southern Oregon. Please allow a few days for posting. There is no charge. Those wishing to make a donation supporting the Ashland.news service may do so here.

Share this article

Ryan

Ryan


KSKQ radio

Latest posts

Mt. Ashland sets attendance record, extends season

After announcing last week that the ski-snowboarding area broken its all-time season attendance record, Mt. Ashland Ski Area managers announced Sunday that its season has been extended to April 23, adding two weekends on to a schedule that typically would have ended on April 9.

Read More >

Explore More...

Mt. Ashland sets attendance record, extends season

After announcing last week that the ski-snowboarding area broken its all-time season attendance record, Mt. Ashland Ski Area managers announced Sunday that its season has been extended to April 23, adding two weekends on to a schedule that typically would have ended on April 9.

Read More>
ashland.news logo

Subscribe to the newsletter and get local news sent directly to your inbox.

(It’s free)