Ruth E. Pershall

Ruth E. Pershall, a long-time Albuquerque resident, went to be with her Lord and Savior Thursday, May 28, 2026. Ruth was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Her husband, Billy M. Pershall, preceded her in death in 2007. She is survived by her son, B. Dean Pershall, and his wife, Linda; her beloved granddaughter, Alaina Pershall, her son and husband; her sister, Betty Wisley, and husband, Ken, and her sister-in-law, Belinda Potts Miles. Ruth came from a family of eight children. Her family was close and although only one sibling remains, there are many beloved nieces and nephews too numerous to name individually here.

As a young woman, during World War II, Ruth worked in a radio factory soldering radio components for aircraft. Later in life, she told family members that she prayed over every component she soldered. She also was a homemaker, nanny and, later in life, was head cashier at Furr's Cafeteria for 10 years.

Ruth was born in Mt. Carmel, IL, May 13, 1923, where she eventually met her husband, Billy. After their marriage, they moved to Guthrie, OK, where their only child, Dean was born. After a couple of moves, the Pershall family resided in Perry, OK. In 1976, Ruth and Billy moved with their son, Dean, as he was hired by Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, NM. They remained in Albuquerque for several years, then she and Billy moved to Truth or Consequences, NM, where Billy could frequently fish in the nearby lakes and Rio Grande River. Following Billy's death, she returned to Albuquerque and resided with her son. Her health required assisted living for her final few years. A serious fall required Ruth to be placed in Genesis Rio Rancho Center for her final two years. She was able to celebrate her 103rd birthday with family and friends. Her birthday was always a very special event for her. She passed away in her sleep two weeks later as she had hoped.

Ruth had two major regrets in her long life. Initially it was her inability to continue her education past the 6th grade due to severe life-threatening nasal hemorrhages as a child. She overcame this with God's grace to live a full and productive life. The other tragedy was in 1966 when her only child, Dean, was severely burned in a house fire. She was a loving mother and caregiver during his years of recovery. She celebrated all the family accomplishments after this with great glee.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, June 20, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., at West Mesa Christian Church, 8821 Golf Course Rd. NW, Albuquerque, NM 87114. Flowers may be delivered to the church between 9:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. on June 20th.