Bessie Ruth (Stevens) King went home to Jesus on Sunday, March 9, 2025, at age 81 surrounded by loved ones at her home in Buffalo, Rock Prairie/Tin Town communities. Ruth was born in Sterling, Nebraska, on November 4, 1943, as the fifth of 15 children to Wayne Franklin and Gertrude Louise (Wederski) Stevens and graduated from Lincoln High School, Lincoln, Nebraska, class of '61. She married Bill Joe King on December 9, 1961, in Hallam, Nebraska, and went on to have three daughters, Diane, Elizabeth (Beth), Michelle, and adopted two grandsons, Noah and Nicholas (Nick).
Ruth had a passion for caring for others and devoted her life to fulfilling the calling as a daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, friend, and to countless others as a healthcare worker.
Ruth joins her parents, Wayne and Gertrude; parents-in-law Ramie and Lois King; daughter, Diane King; sisters, Elva Price, Mildred Wright, Mary Crone, Tammy Stevens; brothers, Murrel Stevens, Sye Stevens; sister-in-law, Carrie Jane Peek; brothers-in-law, George King and Bob King in Heaven.
Ruth is survived by her husband of 63 years, Bill; daughters, Beth Fears (Denise Scoville), Michelle Foster (Frankie); son-in-law Sheldon Roberts; grandsons, Justin Roberts (Melanie), Jeffrey Roberts (Kasey), Eric Roberts (Crystal), Noah King, Nick King; granddaughters, Abygail (Abby) Foster, Izybella (Izzy) Foster; great-grandchildren, Chase Roberts (Talia), Dalton Roberts (Jessica), Dillon Roberts, Makayla Roberts, Peyton King; great-great-grandson, Mason Roberts; sisters, Margery Pickett, Janice O'Connor, Bonnie Vaugh, Helen Matson, Betty Minor (Don), Laura Brogan; brothers, Wayne Earl Stevens, John Stevens (Lynette); sisters-in-law, Marie Mills (Harvey), Mary Carnelison, Martha Evans (Bill), Kathy Palmer (Rick), Connie Maggard (Terry), Patty Sevy; brother-in-law, Richard King (Alice); many beloved cousins, nieces, nephews, friends, and her little yappy dog, Buddy.
A visitation for Ruth will be from 4-7 p.m. Wednesday, March 12, at Pitts Chapel in Bolivar. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, March 13, at Rock Prairie Cemetery. Online condolences may be made at greenlawnfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are under the compassionate direction of Pitts Chapel in Bolivar.