Ruth Rea Ringland Rains died on Saturday, February 10 at home.  She was born on October 20, 1927 in Champaign, Illinois and was retired from the University of Illinois.  Her parents were Ray O. Ringland and Anna Day.  Ruth’s son, John Ray, preceded her in death.  Ruth was a good neighbor, and tried to define “neighbor” as Christ did.  She was a lover of dawn, of nature, of people and poems.  She called her poems her “tears,” yet she also called them her dance.  Ruth loved the life of the mind, never stopped learning or loving it, or loving to share it, principally in the breakfast “study groups” to which she belonged, and in as many conversations over coffee as her schedule would accommodate.  As she aged she clung tighter to the things that make life bearable: beauty, humor, all that is mild and gentle rather than brash and overly assertive. She shared deeply the belief that God is in all things working for good. The best material evidences of this in her life were: a son, John Ray; a good and versatile mind/body complex; a gift at writing; jobs which used her gifts; friends who celebrated her gifts; and a faith which gave thanks to the Giver.  There will be a graveside service at Mt. Hope Cemetery (northeast corner) on Wednesday, April 24, 2024 at 11:00 a.m.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Ruth R. Rains fund at the First Presbyterian Church of Urbana, to be used in support of those less fortunate than she.

Condolences may be offered at www.renner-wikoffchapel.com