Ruth Simonis

Ruth Simonis passed peacefully into the presence of her Savior on June 8, 2026, surrounded by family singing her favorite hymns and reading from her favorite book, the Bible. She was 63 years old.

Born on August 17, 1962, in Hillsboro, Oregon, Ruth was the eldest of five children to Rev. Chuck and Judi Deskins. From an early age, she displayed remarkable intelligence, curiosity, and compassion—qualities that would define her throughout her life.

Ruth spent her earliest years in Hillsboro, OR, and Phoenix, AZ, before moving to the Portland, OR area, where she spent much of her childhood until her family moved to Dallas, TX for her Dad to attend seminary at DTS. Ruth completed her senior year of high school at Bryan Adams in Dallas, then returned to Oregon to attend and graduate from Multnomah School of the Bible in 1984, where she deepened her faith which remained central throughout her life. She then moved back to the Dallas area and earned her Bachelor of Social Work degree from the University of Texas at Arlington in 1990.

In mid-1990, Ruth returned to the Pacific Northwest and met the love of her life, Sheldon Simonis. The two were married on March 16, 1991, in Beaverton, OR, beginning a devoted marriage that spanned 35 years.

Driven by a heart for service and justice, Ruth attended Northwestern School of Law at Lewis & Clark College and graduated in 1997 and then passed the Oregon State Bar Exam that same year. Ruth primarily practiced Elder Law from her own law office.

Ruth became a chaplain and served with the Hillsboro Police Department in 2005. and also helped women seeking refuge from domestic violence. Ruth also pursued further education at Western Seminary and Luther Rice Seminary as she had a desire to earn her Master of Divinity.

Ruth listened to God's voice which directed her to seek out a Masters of Social Work degree at Portland State University, from which she graduated in 2007. Her Fellowship (internship) was completed through the Veterans Administration (VA) Hospital in Portland, OR, which opened doors for her future with the VA for the next 14 years. Starting in 2007, Ruth worked at the VA Hospital in Reno, NV, where she earned her LCSW, and then transferred to the VA Hospital Domiciliary in Bonham, TX in 2018, where she served until her first retirement in 2022.

In 2024, after seeking God's will, Ruth joined the Hunt County Sheriff’s Department as a Mental Health Clinical Social Worker. Just four days before her planned (2nd) retirement, Ruth suffered a medical emergency which led to her passing a week later.

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As a child, Ruth was smart and precocious, compassionate and eager to help others—sometimes perhaps a bit too helpfully guiding her younger siblings. She loved people and conversations, especially those that went deep. She delighted in studying the Bible, including its original languages, and her faith remained the foundation of her life.

When Ruth was 14 years old, she wrote in her Autobiography, (a school project), "When I was six years old, I was saved. My mother talked to me, and I accepted Jesus as my personal savior."

Ruth's favorite "hobby" was planning and taking elaborate trips, cruises and vacations - she sought to "boldly go where she had not gone before". She especially loved the Oregon coast and spending time at the beach. 

Ruth loved to play the guitar as a young woman and loved to sing praise and worship songs, especially during her quiet times. She loved to sew and paint, enjoyed thrifting, watching crime and medical TV shows, and spending cherished time with family. Ruth loved playing games, though she often joked that she suffered from “Bad Cardma” and disliked losing any game. She was vibrant, energetic, fun-loving, and deeply thoughtful. Her exceptional ability to listen made everyone feel valued and heard.

Her siblings affectionately called her “Rufus” growing up, while her husband lovingly called her “Sweetie.”

Throughout her life, Ruth worshiped and served in several churches, including Village Baptist Church in Beaverton, OR; Happy Valley Baptist Church in Happy Valley, OR; Fellowship Community Church in Reno, NV, where she served as head of the women’s ministry; and most recently, The Well Baptist Church in Greenville, TX.

Ruth was a beloved wife, daughter, sister, aunt, colleague, and friend. She is survived by her devoted husband, Sheldon; her parents, Rev. Chuck and Judi Deskins; four siblings, Robert Deskins, Christine Klaus, Jennifer Wells and James (Jim) Deskins; and 36 wonderful nieces and nephews, all of whom she loved dearly.

Her legacy of faith, service, compassion, and love lives on in the countless lives she touched. Though deeply missed, her family rejoices in the promise that she is now at peace in the presence of her Savior.

“Well done, good and faithful servant.” — Matthew 25:23