Ruth Michelle Horton
July 18, 1969 ~ September 13, 2020
Born in:
Pueblo, Colorado
Resided in:
Pueblo, Colorado
Ruth Michelle Horton (Ruthie), was born to Dean and Kathy Horton on July 18, 1969. She passed away on September 13, 2020.
Ruthie received a Bachelor of Science degree from Southern Nazarene University and a Master’s Degree from Adams State University. Ruthie was a student and devoted employee of Pueblo District 60 for 26 years. She was a language arts teacher at Corwin Middle School from 1993 to 2000. Her journey in education took her to Central High School until 2019 where she taught language arts classes and served for a period of time as the English Department chair.
Ruthie was an exceptional daughter, sister, niece, aunt, granddaughter, and companion. Ruthie had a passion for teaching and the written word. She was devoted to the students in her care, and she encouraged them to always dream big and reach their full potential. The bell always rang blue for Ruthie and she loved the students and staff at Central High School.
Ruthie enjoyed traveling, camping, and hiking in the mountains. She loved animals and expressed her creativity through painting, crafting, and cooking for her family. Her quick wit and sense of humor endeared her to many. Ruthie was also known for her incredibly kind heart. She never met a stranger and was usually first in line to help another person in need. Her compassion for others was endless. Her friends and family describe her as an exquisite light with contagious charisma. Ruthie was spontaneous, fun, joyful, determined, and hard working. Ruthie loved Jesus and wanted to make sure that others knew about His unconditional love and grace.
Ruthie is preceded in death by her father, Ralph Dean Horton of Pueblo, CO; grandparents, Ralph and Gertrude Horton of Bethany, OK, and Robert J. and Myrtle Simms of Pueblo, CO.
She is survived by her mother, Shirley Kathleen Horton of Pueblo; her brother, R. Dean Horton II and wife Lisa of Pueblo, CO; nephew, Jonathan Dean Horton and wife Shawndra of Pueblo, CO; niece, Nicole Horton Hiratuka and husband Vinicius of Madison, MS, Brandi Horton Day, and husband Bobby of Pueblo, CO.
Ruthie’s funeral service will be at 11:00 on Friday, September 25, 2020, at First Church of the Nazarene, 84 Stanford, in Pueblo, CO with Pastor Jim Murray officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Central High School Booster Club, c/o Leslie Nazario, 216 E. Orman Ave., Pueblo, CO 81004 or the First Church of the Nazarene, 84 Stanford Ave., Pueblo, CO 81005.
Services
Memorial Service: September 25, 2020 11:00 am
First Church of the Nazarene
84 Stanford
Pueblo, CO 81005
719-564-3209
Ms. Horton was kind, beautiful, and helped those in need.
She gave me hope when I had nothing left, she was a light for those who needed it the most. I hope you rest peacefully up there❤️ Thank you.. for everything.
You were such an awesome young lady, taken way to soon! Coached against you for years. RIP
Ruthie was was on my best friends at SNU. We did everything together from cheerleading basketball games to being roomies and performing a lip sync together. She brainstormed with my now husband when he came to town to propose marriage and stood by my side as my maid of honor at my wedding. We stood by each other as we lost another dear friend Jill way to early. We went through it all. She was a bright light to anyone who knew her and such a genuine soul ❤️ She will be greatly missed by everyone who knew her. I will be praying for all of her family, for the Lord’s comfort and strength in the days, months and years ahead.
Our deepest condolences to the Horton family in the loss of their daughter Ruthie. Resting forever in Jesus arms.
Julio & Leticia Velasquez
To dear, sweet Ruthie. “Landslide,” your song. Rest in peace. Be free to now fly…
“I took my love, I took it down
Climbed a mountain and I turned around
And I saw my reflection in the snow covered hills
‘Til the landslide brought me down
Oh, mirror in the sky, what is love?
Can the child within my heart rise above?
Can I sail through the changin’ ocean tides?
Can I handle the seasons of my life?
Mmm
Well, I’ve been ‘fraid of changin’
‘Cause I’ve built my life around you
But time makes you bolder
Even children get older
And I’m gettin’ older, too
Well, I’ve been ‘fraid of changin’
‘Cause I’ve built my life around you
But time makes you bolder
Even children get older
And I’m gettin’ older, too
I’m gettin’ older, too
Ah, take my love, take it down
Oh, climb a mountain and turn around
And if you see my reflection in the snow covered hills
Well, the landslide will bring it down
And if you see my reflection in the snow covered hills
Well, the landslide will bring it down
Oh, the landslide will bring it down”
Ruthie was one of my first and best friends that I met at SNU! We lived down the hall from each other and she was such an incredible friend! She made me laugh so much! I went home with her over breaks and got to meet her incredible family. She shared the best day with me me by being a bridesmaid in my wedding! Her loving, vibrant personality would light up a room!!! Ruthie you will be so missed! I will see you again some day!!!
I really enjoyed having you for LA Ms. Horton, you were fun and bubbly. I will always remember you that way, rest in Paradise ❤
My heart broke when I heard the news. I am so deeply saddened to lose such a dear friend. Ruthie was a smart, funny, and beautiful lady inside and out. I will always cherish our friendship and the memories. My deepest condolences to the family.
Ms. Horton,
Learning about your passing struck so many memories, and just hurt my heart. I remember meeting you for the 1st time entering my 6th grade year at Corwin Middle School. Mr. Kleiner and yourself were coaching our softball team at the time “Hurricanes”. If only you knew how much of an impact you had on me then, being an 11yr old girl with a dream. You were always so gentle and soft spoken willing to help in any way. I wasn’t privileged to have you as a teacher as I left Corwin, and Central before your time, but I have kept that memory with me since. My condolences to your family, may you find the love and strength within each other through this time. Sending ALL my love and prayers
Ruthie will always remain one of the sweetest people I have ever met. She was so down to earth, making it easy for anyone to talk to her. She loved the Gonzales family with her whole heart, my daughter included. She was so full of happiness, real joy. I know she is in heaven dancing with Pops & all the other angels! May she bask in eternal peace & freedom unavailable on this earth. My heart aches for all who loved her. I will miss her. ❤️
Ruthie will always remain one of the sweetest people I have ever met. She was so down to earth, making it easy for anyone to talk to her. She loved the Gonzales family with her whole heart, my daughter included. She was so full of happiness, real joy. I know she is in heaven dancing with Pops & all the other angels! May she bask in eternal peace & freedom unavailable on this earth. I will miss her. ❤️
Ms. Horton, you shall be truly missed. I only wish i could still thank you for everything. You believed in me even when I could not do so myself. With your help I graduated from Central High School. The letters of recommendations landed the jobs that helped support my mother and I. So for that I am grateful. . For the family of Ms Horton a scripture from the bible to help with the loss. Mathew 5.4. “Blessed for those who mourn, for they shall be comforted”.
Ms. Horton, I wish we could have talked to each other more recently.Yu were truly an amazing teacher/coach/mentor/FRIEND to me. For over 20 years I went to yu for advice and help and yu came to me for advice, to vent, & encouraged me to follow my dreams and become the person I was meant to be. The person yu saw that was a natural born leader, someone strong. A person that people look to for advice, motivation & confidence.. The letter of recommendation that you wrote for me 10+ year’s ago opened the doors for me in many positions which I applied for. So for that I am forever grateful to yu. You were such a giving and beautiful person. Since the very first day I met yu way back in the late 90’s at Corwin Middle School yu were a very positive role model in my life and many others… Yu were there for me when I needed guidance and encouragement. Yu were also there to coach me in numerous sport’s in middle and high-school. Yu were even there for me when I just needed someone to talk to as a student/athlete and as an adult.. Yu never judged me for any reason..I am so happy that our relationship grew throughout the years. I was honored to have had yu as a friend. I love you Ruthie n I am so grateful to have known you. You achieved so many amazing things throughout your life. I will forever keep ur memory alive and I will always defend you with everything in me. Cause you would have done the same thing for me. I hope that you are at peace. I love you and I am gonna make you proud. May yu rest in paradise Ms. Horton..Yu were an angel here on earth & now in heaven. Please watch over the numerous Wildcat’s that yu have taught and coached through the year’s. Yu will NEVER BE FORGOTTEN
To Kathy, Dean, Lisa and family,
We are so saddened by our loss. Although recent years we have lost touch, we have such fond memories of Ruthie. Norm and I both remember the year she fished in Alaska with us and of course all of the amazing family childhood memories are in the forefront of my mind. She was ‘my’ cousin and my special playmate. Her bubbly personality was so contagious. We will pray for all of you during these days. Love you!
Hello Norm and Jan,
I am very sorry for your loss. I know contacting you this way is very informal, but I have a desperate question about Ruth. Did she ever, by chance, own a Sherlock Holmes book? I am very, very sorry for having to ask this in a time of sorrow, but I think I may have found something…
RIP Ruthie 💔😢
She was my favourite teacher in school and wonderful role model in my life. My prayers and thoughts for the family.
Ruthie was one of the first people to welcome me to SNU and was always fun to be around. Her smile was infectious. May God bring sweet memories of Ruthie to all who knew and loved her as a comfort. I know she is reunited with Jill in heaven and is enjoying everlasting life with Jesus.
The world lost a beautiful soul. She was as beautiful in the inside as the outside. Ruthie was a friend to everyone, a light in the darkness, a true artist who had this beautiful voice and painted beautiful pictures, whose smile was infectious. I have so many fond memories of us shopping, having bible study, praying, laughing and crying together, writing a Christian book together and of making videos for the students at Corwin. You have shown flowers along the side roads of my life, thanks for sharing your sunshine and your faith in Jesus to others. You are like a flower that’s dies in the fall but blooms again in the spring. I know you are blooming in the arms of your savior, for death is not final but is the gateway to eternal life. I know I’ll see you again in the Kingdom of God because we often talked about eternal life. I’ll miss you but my life is better And more fulfilled because I knew you. There are no human words to honor you enough but now only silence in my heart that speaks of the importance of your life and beauty is left.
Ms. Horton it was truly an honor to have met you as a Sophomore at Central. It was even more eventful when you busted me ditching at starter field. But you always believed in me. I was always the guy in the blue Toyota pickup. It was nice to reconnect when I was delivering mail on your route and we talked and caught up. It was truly an honor to know you!!! God Bless and Rest in paradise
-The Casias Family
May you rest in peace Ms.Horton you always was cracking jokes with us at corwin and always had a big smile when ever I seen you and you never gave us too hard of a time when you would catch us in the bathroom doing our make up lol you will be missed sending prayers and my condolences to your family. 🙏
My heart broke the minute I heard about your passing, many memories at Corwin with you! You are the reason I love softball, thank you so much for being such a positive influence in my life…
I’ll forever be grateful for you chica!
Mrs. Horton was one of the nicest people I have ever met always with a smile on her face and always glad to see you ! Prayers to all your loved ones. You will be forever missed 💕
To Kathy, Dean Jr, and Family~~”What a Beautiful Lady, Ruthie was”~ My Heart hurts for her~ and your Family~ “IN GOD’S HANDS” she is~ and with her LORD & SAVIOUR` ~ “REST IN HEAVENLY PEACE”~sweet Lady~ God Bless, Charlotte & Will
R.I.P you’ll be missed 💔❤️🙏🏽
To Kathy, Dean and the Horton Family: It has been a long time since I have seen the Horton family, but you have remained in my heart since we were neighbors on Pitkin, I babysat Ruthie and “Deanie”, I was a student of Dean’s, I attended Dean and Lisa’s wedding and ultimately named my son after Dean. The family always had some much love and compassion for family, friends and God. I know that Ruthie is in God’s arms as well as her Dad’s. I know she will be missed terribly by her family and friends, but know that she is loved, is happy and is smiling. All my love from Texas
It was great to have you as a teacher at Corwin Middle. You were the kindest person to me. Rest in peace Ms. Horton.
You will always be apart of my best middle school memories. Thank you for being a positive Women figure in my life. May your heart find peace and happiness with our Heavenly Father Ms. Horton
I hope you let your light shine in heaven, Ms. Horton. I’ll never forget the impact you made on my life and I’ll always remember you as my English teacher and friend ❤️
I’m so deeply saddened by the loss of such a beautiful person. You were an amazing English teacher and an all around amazing person! You never let a day go by without a compliment. You will truly be missed. My condolences to the family.
May your beautiful soul Rest In Peace. It was such an honor to have you as my English teacher.
What a joy to see everyday. We all love you forever.
Love Jeff Arellano
When I was a first year teacher at Central Ruth was always supportive and kind to me. We would often have lunch together at Mexi-Deli and by spending this time with her I got to know her genuine heart and wonderful sense of humor. My heart is broken for your family and I hope that you all find peace during this time. The memory of Ruth will always have a special place in my heart and may she rest in peace.
Thank you Ruthie for being so nice to me shall never forget you. You were special.
I am so sad to hear of Ruthie’s passing. May God’s light surround and comfort you with his love.
Sending my sincerest condolences to Ruthie’s family.
Dean and family- I can’t express my sadness for your loss.
Kristen Nichols-Chandler
I had her as my English teacher. May you RIP Ms. Horton!
Sending love and prayers to all her/our family in this time of sorrow and loss. God is with us all and is the best salve for all our pain. Tho I didn’t know my cousin well, I’m Looking forward to seeing her again.
Kathy, Dean, Lisa, and Family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Ruthie was a special friend with a heart of gold. She will be missed by many.
MaryBeth Garrett
Christina Posa-Weigel & Family
Edward Posa, Jr. & Family
I pray you Rest In Peace.
Ruthie,
I remember you as a beautiful, charming and smart lady.
I am truly sorry to all for your loss.
Doreen Drobnick-Martinez
Peace to you Ruthie🙏💙