Lois Ruth (Swank) Bigley

Lois Ruth Swank Bigley age 89, of Houston, TX, formerly of Columbus, OH passed away in Houston on Sunday, January 19, 2020. She was born February 2, 1930 in Caldwell, OH a daughter of the late John Kenneth and Jessie Virginia Hughes Swank.

She was a 1948 graduate of the Caldwell High School. Upon graduating from High School, Ruth moved to Columbus, Ohio and worked at the Farm Bureau (now Nationwide) Insurance Company for 4 years.  Ruth married her high school sweetheart, Joseph Wilbur/Weber Bigley in 1952 and they were married for 63 years.

Joe was enlisted in the Air Force at the time of their marriage.  They were stationed in Germany, in San Antonio, Texas and then returned to Columbus, Ohio in 1954 after Joe was Honorably Discharged with the rank of Sargent.  Ruth began work at North American Aviation when they returned and worked there until her retirement in 1988.

Ruth was always close to her 3 sisters and their families.  They shared a love of crafts.  One of the sister’s favorite crafts was working with ceramics.   Ruth’s mother, Jessie Swank, purchased a kiln for the girls and for many years looked forward to “ceramic night” each week.  They made many beautiful works of art, that are still treasured by the family.   Ruth’s first love was her grandchildren.  She enjoyed babysitting, going to school activities, hosting family gatherings over a home cooked meal and being a part of their lives.   She looked forward to the next time she would see them and was very thankful seeing them grow into fine young men.

After retirement, Ruth and Joe moved to Bradenton, Florida.  Ruth was involved in the running of the area Thrift Shop and enjoyed working with her many friends.   Ruth and Joe were active members of the Crime Watch Committee where they patrolled their residential area.

Ruth and Joe moved to Raleigh, North Carolina in July of 2013 to be close to their son and his family.

Upon Joe’s death in 2015, Ruth moved to Spring, TX to live in the home of her daughter and son-in-law. She enjoyed taking rides in the car each day to bird watch and admire the tall trees.

In addition to her parents and husband Joe, she is preceded in death by 2 sisters Beverly Jean Eierman and Reva Lee Batten.

Those left to cherish her memory are her two children: son Kenneth Alan (Debbie) Bigley of Raleigh, NC and their 2 sons Kyle Bigley and Kevin Bigley both of Raleigh, NC; daughter Judy Ann Bigley (Rick) Harr of Spring, TX and their 2 sons Matthew Harr of West Hollywood, CA and Daniel Harr of Austin, TX. She is also survived by 1 sister Doris Doreen  Edwards of Columbus, OH. Also survived by several nieces, nephews, and friends.

Cremation was observed with no additional services held at this time. She will be laid to rest next to her husband Joseph in Sharon Cemetery at a later date. Chandler Funeral Home & Cremation service has been entrusted to care for the family. Please join us in remembering Ruth by visiting her online memorial at www.ChandlerFuneralHome.net

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