Ruth Rollins

March 19, 1923 - March 13, 2023

Ruth Rollins passed away peacefully at home on March 13 in Downey, of natural causes at the age of 99, six days short of her 100th birthday. Ruth was born in Bakersfield, California to Robert Raikes Shull and Susie Adeline Wilson. Her family originally lived in Taft, California where her dad worked as a foreman in the oil fields. They later moved to Long Beach before eventually moving to Downey. She attended the local schools and graduated from Compton High School and Compton Junior College in 1942.

Upon graduation from Compton J.C. she was employed at Alcoa from 1942 to 1950.

Ruth met and married William B. Rollins, Jr. in 1947. They settled in Compton and Bill began his educational career. They soon started their family and moved to Downey in 1952.

Ruth was active in her children’s schools, becoming a member of the Parents’ Club (a pre-PTA organization) and PTA, often serving as the president. She received a Lifetime Membership in PTA for her work.

Once her last child graduated from high school in 1976 she decided to work for the Downey Unified School District and began as a substitute clerk and secretary ending as the Attendance Clerk at Rio Hondo Elementary School in 1993.

Ruth lost her husband, Bill, in March of 2012 after 65 years of marriage.

Ruth was the matriarch of the Rollins family, providing sage advice and acting as a role model for us all. She was beloved by her four children, Bill (Candace), Bob (Kelley), Gary (Valerie) and Jane (Dale), 13 terrific grandchildren and 27 wonderful great-grandchildren. All of us have our special memories of ‘Ruth’, ‘Mom’ and ‘Grandma’ which will keep us smiling forever.