Ruth Withers

Mrs. Ruth Brown Withers went to be with her Lord and Savior at her home in Caldwell, Idaho, with her husband at her side on Saturday, August 19, 2017. Ruth's family will receive friends on Sunday evening, August 27th from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Dakan Funeral Chapel, Caldwell, Idaho. She will be laid to rest at Louisville Memorial Gardens East in Louisville, Kentucky.

Ruth was born in Burkburnett, Texas on August 6, 1925 to Alfred and Leolah 'Lou' Smith Brown. She proudly served as a nurse in the US Navy during WWII. While stationed at the Naval Hospital in San Diego, California, Ruth met the love of her life, Buford H. Withers who was also stationed there. They were married on October 24, 1945 in Bethesda, Maryland and later had two children, Donald and Mary Lou.

Ruth and Buford owned and operated The La Grange Florist in La Grange, Kentucky for many years. They eventually sold the flower shop, moved to Idaho, and became the owners & operators of Silver Creek Plunge Resort in Garden Valley. The resort is located in the Boise National Forest and offered lots of outdoor activities, including a playground, camping, swimming, fishing, hiking, hayrides, and a natural geothermal hot spring pool with 100 degree water flowing from the granite rock. The Plunge would close every year from November through mid-April due to snow so Ruth & Buford would return for the winter to Oldham County, Kentucky. After several years, they sold Silver Creek Plunge and began spending their time together traveling and fishing. To Ruth and Buford, fishing was not a hobby it was a way of life which they loved. They often went fishing on the California, Oregon and Washington coasts, and travelled to Mexico, Canada, Panama Canal and the Caribbean Islands.

Ruth was an active member of the First Southern Baptist Church in Caldwell and previously attended DeHaven Baptist Church in La Grange. She was an excellent bookkeeper, floral arranger, and a beautiful soloist. Ruth was also a master cook in the kitchen and was often praised for her pecan pies.

Ruth is survived by her husband of 72 years, Buford H. Withers of Caldwell, ID; her son, Donald (Beverly) Withers of La Grange, KY; 3 grandchildren, Cara Straub of La Grange, KY, Mynette (Jamie) McGhee of La Grange, KY, and Greg (Shelly) Ferguson of Nampa, ID; and 8 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Alfred and Lou Brown; her sister, Carrie Houlette; and her daughter, Mary Lou Hennis.

In the eyes of her family, Ruth was a shining star and as beautiful and glorious as an angel when she smiled.
Louisville Memorial Gardens Funeral Home East is in charge of local arrangements