Ruth Marie Stevens was born August 24, 1938 in Hardesty, Oklahoma to Lee Roy Barker and Ruth Maddux Barker.
Ruth grew up in working times just after the Great Depression. Her father worked for C.C.C. and helped build Roman Nose Park in Oklahoma near Watonga.
Ruth moved a lot in her childhood and by the ninth grade, she had lived in 15 different towns. Families then kept their children helping them make a living. Children learned quickly how to work hard and be helpful.
Ruth married Robert Francis Gilpin in Lewis, Colorado in 1955 at the age of 17. In 1964, they were sealed in the Arizona Temple with all their children. They had five children: Lewis, Doris, Evelyn, Janice and Kathryn. Ruth and her husband divorced in 1976 and Ruth moved to Kansas to be close to family. Ruth became a nurse’s aide. Ruth lived and worked in Kansas until 1978 when she decided to move to Utah to be close to her children. Here she met David Stevens, who was widowed and had four girls to care for. They married on August 31, 1979.
Ruth served in many positions in the Church as Primary President, Relief Society Teacher, Primary Teacher and many more. Ruth loved gardening, sewing and putting puzzles together. She taught her daughters to knit, crochet, cook, quilt, do art projects, needle point and sew. Ruth liked to hike and loved history and nature. Ruth taught her children the value of education and music. Ruth has famous musicians in her family and some are still playing today.