Ruth Marie Lovin

I cannot help but smile, even through my grief as I think about my mom, who entered into the joy of Jesus’ presence on July 21st, 2024. How do I pack her life and her vibrant personality into a few words?

Ruth Marie Brewington Lovin was born on September 25th, 1963 in Bad Kreuznach, Germany where her father was stationed with the army. One of her first memories was of her missionary parents roasting coffee over the fire in Jungle Camp in Mexico before they moved to Peru. She loved her life there in Yarinacocha, and regaled us with her stories of alligator hunting, surviving mudslides and swimming with dolphins. “I grew up in the jungle!” was her explanation for many things, including her general lack of fear, distaste for “keep out” signs and refusal to follow recipes without adding her own spin. 

She moved to the States when she was 17, where my Dad and his “cornball smile” got her attention. They were married when she was 19, and though she told me she was way too young, she said God had such mercy on her in giving her a wonderful man like my dad! She began P.A. school, but was unable to finish due to being diagnosed with Lupus not long after my brother was born. For the rest of her life she went through many horrific things just to stay alive so she could be here for us. She told us many times that if it was just for her she would rather be with Jesus. It was her faith in Christ that enabled her to endure, while always reminding us that God is still good, and her suffering did not negate that fact. She learned to find humor in the most morbid of situations, and her laughter and antics kept us rolling. In between chemo, doctor’s appointments, and many long hospitalizations she managed to make our childhood special. Her creativity could make the most mundane things fun, and my brother and I never felt like we were missing out. She somehow managed to homeschool us, and when we reached highschool her Lupus let up a little, allowing her to do things we never thought possible in the previous days of simply fighting to survive. She still had many miserable days ahead but she harnessed her stubbornness and made the most of them. She consistently pushed through things that would have paralyzed most people, while accomplishing things that amazed me. She started a photography business which flowed out of a love for the art that her grandpa had instilled in her. Through it God gave our family a chance to travel with her more than we ever could have imagined, with weddings in England, Switzerland, the Netherlands and France. The Yorkshire Dales were her favorite, and she would have been content to stay there, eating biscuits (of the British variety) and collecting far too many antique books. Traveling with her always meant adventures, and stopping to take a whole lot of photos. Beauty led her to wonder at the greatness of God, and she had a knack for capturing that in her photos. On those trips she always tried to find a chance to help someone with her photography, and loved being a listening ear for the people we met along the way. In spite of her own misery, she was always taking care of others sacrificially, including our family, and I hope I can be half of the Mom she was in that. I had the gift of getting to see her be the best Nana to my son for eight months. I will make sure that he knows about his Nana. I’ll tell him her one weakness was coffee with whipped cream. I’ll tell him her one weakness was flowers and gardening. I’ll tell him her one weakness was anything that recalled her time in England. I’ll tell him how she was not just a wife or mother, or sister, but also a best friend. It is so hard to believe that someone who lived life with such zest has left this life, but she would be quick to remind us that it is only now that she is truly living.

Her prayer was always, “show me your glory in this God,” and now she is seeing His glory so clearly. She has said for many years how she was so ready to be with Jesus. Now she is finally able to fully delight in her Savior, free from the burdens of pain and sin. “Can you imagine what that will be like?” she asked me with wonder filling her voice. Now let me leave you with her own words, for she was always good at speaking for herself: “I encourage those of you who know Christ, who may be going through painful things in your life, to ask God to show you His glory through it. Ask Him to let the painful things be a way that He can use you to show others who your strength , joy and peace comes from.

God works in ways we would not imagine, if we submit to Him, cry out to Him, and when He knows we desire to see Him glorified.

I hope this speaks to those who feel their dreams have been taken and replaced by heartache and a life they never would have chosen. If you are God’s child, He will work His perfect plan in your life- if you let Him. Lay it at His feet, take your grip off the things you think should happen, put your weakness and disappointments in His sovereign hands, and one day you, as I, will look back and see the amazing things He has accomplished. You will also look at life so much more in the light of eternity instead of the here and now.”

She will be greatly missed by her husband Scott, children Sarah ( and husband C.J.) and Seth (and wife Emily), parents Tom and Pat, brothers Mark, Paul and Glenn (and wife Shawnna), grandson Iain and many other family members and friends around the world.

A memorial service will be held at Mountain Springs Church on Saturday, August 3rd at 10:30 AM. The graveside service will be prior to this at Pinecrest Cemetery at 9:00 AM. A celebration of her life will be held on the east coast a bit later for those out that way who are interested in coming. 

In lieu of flowers please make donations in her honor to Operation Mobilization.