Ruth (Ruthie) Ilene Brown passed away at her home in Battle Ground on Dec. 15, 2023, at the age of 92. She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.
Ruthie was born June 26, 1931, in Camas, Washington to Floyd and Nellie Hampton. She grew up on a farm in Battle Ground, along with a sister and two brothers. She graduated from Battle Ground High School in 1948. In 1949 she married Alvie Dunning. Together they owned and ran retail businesses in Battle Ground and raised four children: Susan, Sandra, Sharyl and Larry. Ruthie was a dedicated mother and homemaker, all the while working in the retail businesses and keeping books for Al & Ernie’s Foodliner, which Alvie owned with his cousin Ernie. Ruthie was widowed in 1976 when Alvie passed away of ALS.
In 1978, Ruthie married Robert (Bob) Brown, who owned Bob Brown Electronics Store in Battle Ground. Ruthie and Bob worked side by side for many years in the store, until they retired. Both were active in community non-profit organizations for many years, often working side by side in their volunteer activities. They enjoyed traveling and were able to visit all 50 states during their 45 year marriage. They visited the lower 48 states in their fifth wheel RV. One of their favorite locations was Branson, Missouri.
Ruthie received many awards for volunteer work. She was named Battle Ground Citizen of the Year in 1990. She received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Battle Ground Chamber of Commerce for her work with Harvest Days, the Rose Float, Auction for Action, and many other community activities. She was named Battle Ground Lion of the Year and received the Melvin Jones Fellow award from the Lion International organization.
Ruthie was a loving, generous, and compassionate person. She also had a great sense of humor and could be quite the prankster. She made friends everywhere she went and across all age groups. She will be remembered and missed by many.
Ruthie was preceded in death by her parents, Floyd and Nellie; her first husband Alvie; daughter Sharyl (Shary); son Larry; grandsons, Dylan and Mason; sister Carolyn; and brother Lewis. She is survived by her husband, Robert Brown; daughter Susan Pillette; daughter Sandra Hall; son-in-law Jim Pillette, son-in-law Scott Hall, brother Glenn Hampton, seven grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren.
A memorial service for Ruthie will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 27, at 1:00 p.m. at the Battle Ground Community Center (912 E. flMain Street). In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the ALS Association of Oregon & SW Washington, 825 NE Multnomah St, #940, Portland, OR 97232.
