Ruth Parish Steffen Turner

The family wishes to thank the Reeds, the Parks, George Kreig, Doris Gimpel, Ella Smither Geriatrics Ruth Turner died in Huntsville, Texas on December 30, 2007. She was born in Huntsville on January 8, 1920, the fifth in a family of seven children of John Edward Parish and Jessie Lee (Pritchett) Parish. She was the granddaughter of Joseph and Nora Evans Pritchett and Joel and Susan Gambrell Parish, also from Huntsville. A graduate of Sam Houston State Teachers College (now SHSU) in 1940 and 1954, Ruth attended the demonstration school at SHSTC until her high school years, graduating with the Huntsville High School class of 1937. She received her Home Economics degree in August 1940 and married her SHSTC classmate, Milton H. Steffen, at Fort Benning, Georgia, in 1941. Milton Steffen was the editor of the 1940 SHSTC Alcalde and a former editor of the SHSTC Houstonian, while Ruth was on the staff of both publications. The couple had a son, Milton Henry Steffen, Jr, in August 1942. Ruth and the baby followed her husband to Camp Edwards on Cape Cod, MA. When he was shipped to North Africa with the 36th Division, Ruth drove back to Huntsville with the baby to wait out the war. Captain Steffen was injured and captured at the battle of Monte Cassino in Italy in 1944. He was listed as MIA and later reported dead. Captain Steffen was posthumously promoted to the rank of Major. During the remaining years of World War II, Ruth worked for the Red Cross and lived with her mother and sisters in Huntsville on 14th Street. After the war, Frances and Elliott Bowers introduced Ruth to a returning veteran, Glyn Turner, who was teaching and working toward his master’s degree at SHSTC. They were married in 1949 and had a daughter, Glynda Turner. They and the two children were part of the community of young faculty members and returning veterans who found housing at a former POW camp bought by the college and renamed Country Campus. While Glyn pursued a career at Sam Houston and numerous other business interests, Ruth completed her master’s degree at SHSTC in 1954. When Ruth's mother died in 1958, the Turner family bought her house and moved back to 14th Street. Ruth helped run the businesses and was frequently seen at the elementary or junior high schools substitute teaching. Ruth was known as an avid Bridge player. Many of her Bridge friends were from childhood, the SHSU faculty, or those she'd made while substitute teaching in the public schools. In later years she enjoyed golf and friends at Elkins Lake. Ruth enjoyed her social life in Huntsville and was involved in various clubs and organizations around town including PTA, Huntsville Study Club (charter member and past president), American Association of University Women, Daughters of the American Revolution, Alpha Chi Omega sorority (formerly the Eclectic Literary Society), SHSU Alumni Association, and the Red Cross. She played on a bowling team and helped coordinate reunions of the Huntsville High School class of 1937. Ruth's roots in Huntsville are closely associated with the college and the First United Methodist Church (FUMC). Her parents and grandparents were active at FUMC, and she and her six siblings and two children were raised in FUMC. Her great uncle, Henry Carr Pritchett, was president of Sam Houston until his death in 1908. Her grandfather, "Professor Joe" Pritchett taught and was a vice president of the college from 1888 until 1934. She and her six siblings each received at least one of their degrees from Sam Houston State Teachers College. In 2004, she sold the Parish/Turner home place to Patsy Ann (Lindsey) and Dennis Reed. Patsy Ann Reed was the daughter of a fourth generation friend of the family. Ruth then lived at Carriage Inn retirement community and later at the Ella Smither Geriatric Center, just a block and a half from her grandparents’ home. Ruth is survived by: son, Milton Henry Steffen, Jr.; daughter, Glynda Turner and husband Buddy Frazer; sisters Ann Shaw of Houston, Sammie Harang of Bay City, and May O'Neal of San Antonio; and six nieces and nephews, including Carol Park of Huntsville. She was predeceased by both husbands and three siblings: John Edward Parish, Jr., Joe Pritchett Parish, and Jessica Parish Russell. Center staff, and her numerous doctors and friends at Carriage Inn for all their help and support in Ruth’s later years. A memorial service is set for: Saturday, 11:00 A.M., January 12, 2008, First United Methodist Church, 1016 Sam Houston Avenue, Huntsville. The service will be preceded by coffee and visitation in the church foyer starting at 9:45 A.M. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Towncreek Retirement Community, 1115 Avenue O, Huntsville, TX 77340, or to the charity of one’s choice. Those wishing to leave memorial condolences for the family may do so at www.shmfh.com.

Ruth Parish Steffen Turner

January 8, 1920 - January 12, 2008