Ruth Elaine Brumby (Garmer), 91, passed away peacefully on Sunday morning, March 19, 2023. She was born on January 1, 1932, in Quincy, IL to Henry and Pearl Garmer (Dismore). Ruth was the youngest of five. Her brothers were Donald, Russell, Walter and Robert. She graduated from Quincy High School in 1949 and continued her business studies at Gem City College.
Ruth met her future husband, Robert Edward Brumby, at Bethel Assembly of God’s youth group in Quincy. When Bob went away to college in Champaign, IL, she wrote him a nice letter. Bob and Ruth started dating when he came home for visits and summer breaks. They were married on June 20, 1950, and moved to St. Louis. In 1953, Bob was drafted into the U.S. Army and sent to Ft. Leonard Wood, MO. In 1954, their first daughter, Carol Diane, was born at the Army base. They moved back to St. Louis where Elaine Sue was born in 1956. Ruth and Bob settled in Memphis, TN in 1958. In 1962, Alice Louise was born; and in 1965, Robert Edward II was born.
Ruth enjoyed singing in the church choir as well as playing piano and organ in church while in Memphis. In 1970, the family moved to Buffalo Grove, IL where she shared her musical talents at Palatine Assembly of God for many years. Ruth was an executive secretary at Kemper Insurance for 24 years. After retiring, Ruth and Bob started traveling across the country with their fifth wheel trailer. This enabled them to spend time with family and friends. Their journeys took them to many beautiful national parks in the U.S. and Canada. Ruth enjoyed sewing and needlework and blessed many with her gifts. She was a kind, generous, witty and loving Christian lady.
Ruth was predeceased by her parents and brothers. She is survived by her husband, Robert, and children, Carol (Mark) Ramcke, Elaine (Randall) Korby, Alice (Michael) Blackman, and Robert (Annette) Brumby. Ruth is also survived by 15 grandchildren and their spouses, 11 great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews.
Family Visitation will be at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 25, 2023, at Sellars Funeral Home, Lebanon, TN. Public Visitation will follow at 11:00 a.m. The Celebration of Life will be at 12:00 p.m. Interment is at Cedar Grove Cemetery in Lebanon.
Arrangements by Sellars Funeral Home, Lebanon TN, 615.444.9393.
