Ruth Ella Whorton 

January 28, 1941 – July 24, 2019 

Ruth Ella Whorton, 78, of La Junta, and more recently of Greeley, died Wednesday, July 24, at Garden Square Assisted Living and Memory Care Center in Greeley. Ruth was born in Kermit, Texas, January 28, 1941, to Edna Pauline (Thomas) Eagle and Melvin Greer Eagle. 

Early in her life her family moved to Arlington, Colorado, to run a cattle ranch where Ruth attended a one-room schoolhouse in Arlington until high school when she transferred to Ordway High School through graduation. She enjoyed many years and successes in 4-H in Arlington as she excelled in cooking, sewing, tailoring and square dancing. 

She married in high school and had four children, Michael Duane, Michelle Denice, Melinda Renea and Mark Robin Waugh. They lived in Rocky Ford and Pueblo until 1965 when she moved back to La Junta to raise her children with the help of her parents. She had acquired her Beautician’s license and worked as a hairdresser for many years, and then also worked as a phone operator for Mountain Bell. In 1972 she married Lee Whorton. She eventually taught herself bookkeeping and accounting and worked for the hospital in La Junta and the Mennonite Credit Union in the accounting and payroll office. She then began a long career with Cheraw Schools as the bookkeeper/payroll officer and added multiple other jobs along the way. Ruth enjoyed selling Home Interiors in south east Colorado where she won many awards for her salesmanship. 

The highlight of her life was her church and family. She loved her brothers and sisters at La Junta Church of Christ where she taught Sunday school and enjoyed every activity, outing and retreat with her church family. She talked for many years of her trip to the Holy Lands, and she loved God, and shared that love with her family and friends. 

She enjoyed many fun trips and experiences while with her family in Greeley, including the Denver Zoo/botanical gardens, Rockies games, mountain excursions and hugs. 

Her very close friend, Vivian Nelson, shared many fun trips and memories throughout the years. She was the sister she never had. 

Ruth is preceded in death by her mother and father, Edna and Melvin Eagle; and her younger brother, Melvin Carroll Eagle. She is survived by her four children, Michael Waugh, Michelle (Mark) Young, Melinda Blair and Mark Waugh; eight Grandchildren, Young: Melissa Ruth, Mitchell (Leigh) and Mackenzie, Blair: Brooke Blair Hollingshead (James) and Megan Blair Coufal (Tommy), Waugh (Brentley, Joey and Josh); and seven great grandchildren: Gabe and Faith Hollingshead, Ainsleigh, Westin and Channing Young, Easton and Logan Coufal. 

Graveside services were held Saturday, July 27, 2019, at Fairview Cemetery in La Junta. 

Ruth courageously battled Alzheimer’s for 10 long years and, while it robbed her of her memory, it never stole her joy. Donations can be made in her name to the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org and click on the donate button or donate to La Junta Church of Christ in her name. 

Arrangements were under the direction of Peacock-Larsen Funeral Home and Arkansas Valley Crematory.