Ruth Ann Fleming

Ruth would insist that we begin and end this story with ALL GLORY to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ – Ruth would be humbled and a little embarrassed by all the attention being paid to her and would insist that this is not an account of how she used her talents to build up herself, but rather to server her RISEN SAVIOR !!

Born July 7, 1936 to Florence and Harry Winslow at Saint Vincent's Hospital --Los Angeles CA
She began Sunday School at Florence Ave Presbyterian near where she grew up South of downtown Los Angeles.
After a few years Ruth was asked to play Accordion in her Jr High orchestra; then her accordion teacher started an accordion band. These 2 experiences of making musical offerings with other instrumentalists led to Ruth's lifelong joy of participating in ensemble music. Ruth has been singing and/or playing piano accompaniment for choirs since Jr High.
She was involved in Activities at El Camino College (Torrance) such as a massed choir combined from a number of area colleges.
Ruth also studied at Southwestern College of Music and earned several certificates there.
While at University of California-Santa Barbara, Ruth gained a reputation for accompanying various solo instruments such as flute or violin or vocal soloists.
Received a Bachelor's in Elementary Education from UCSB 1959 which included a minor in music.
Taught elementary school as well as glee club in Culver City Public Schools then, after moving to Long Beach, she taught for Long Beach Unified.
Retired from public School teaching to concentrate on home and care for her mother.
In the early 1970's the School Board from Peninsula Christian School (at Carson OPC) recruited Ruth to serve as principal.
Backing up a bit we follow Carl Ruth & Scott as they moved to Long Beach in 1963 for Carl to work in the metabolic research lab at Rancho Los Amigos Hospital in Downey.

Ruth joined the choir of Then 1st Orthodox Presbyterian Long Beach, and enjoyed singing with them and special musical ensembles such as the women's Sextet. Soon Ruth was also leading the opening exercises for the elementary age Sunday School along with Jan Gekler. This included singing Hymns as well as simple children's Praise Songs.
While Ruth Kashishian was the organist for the Choir, Ruth occasionally would step out of the choir to add piano accompaniment along with the organ. As Ruth Kashishian began to miss a Sunday here or there for health reasons, Ruth Fleming gradually began to fill in playing the organ or piano more often.
After retiring from teaching she took on the role of primary care giver for a succession of ladies w/o other family over-see them. Each of these very different women received diligent visits and oversight of the business affairs up to and including the settling of their meager estates. Ruth was not accumulating worldly wealth with her tender and loving hands, but was demonstrating a true servant's heart.
Carl & Ruth and Scott loved to travel together and most of us have shared their joy by way of the many pictures they would bring back.
She went into the Hospital for Back Surgery Feb26 of this year; while a number of people here had good visits with her in recovery, she succumbed to a brain infection and was called to glory 5 in the morning this past Wednesday April 8.


We request that rather than flowers that you might make a donation to the Long Beach Rescue Mission
(LBRM.ORG)
We know that she put her trust for salvation in her Lord Jesus Christ and is now in His Fellowship

Ruth Loved Jesus / shunned controversy / spent much of her time visiting "old-folk's homes" / was always enamored by the talents and energy of each new generation of children of the church & brought joy and a smile to most any who she met. TO God be the Glory !!!