Ruth Christine Garrett

Ruth Christine Koch Garrett, age 90, a resident of Belforest passed away peacefully on December 16, 2024, embraced by the love of family and friends. She was the second of four children born to Ernest and Wilhelmina Koch who moved from Nebraska to Baldwin County when Ruth was only five years old. In 1954 she married her high school sweetheart, Joseph Carl Garrett, at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Fairhope, and they were dedicated to each other until his passing in 2018. 

There are many things that the family could share about Ruth and her life, but her impact on the lives of others was shown through her devotion to God and her love and sacrifice for her family and friends. She endured and never wavered from these priorities that were instilled in her from her parents and the church. 

She worked hard, loved, and lived for her family; her children, her grandchildren, and eventually her great-grandchildren too. For many years after retirement, even up until the last few years, Ruth and Joe cheered for their grandchildren and great-grandchildren at scores of sporting events. Any time spent with them made her happy. 

Preceding her in death are: her parents, husband Joseph Carl Garrett, sister Bernadine Koch Ezell, and brother Victor Koch. 

Ruth is survived by daughters Karen (Scott) Clements of Belforest, Margaret Ann Garrett (John O’Donnell) of Atlanta, Georgia, and Lynn (Jim) McWhorter of Mobile: grandchildren Alyssa (Steve) Morisani, Jr., Carl (Kristen) Wade, Sarah Siefert (Callye Williams), Matthew (Emily) McWhorter, Jordan (Taylor) Graham, June (Jeff) Plunkett, and Amber Cook; great-grandchildren Stephen Morisani III, Lucia Morisani, Gianna Morisani, Philip Morisani, Andrew Morisani, Peter Morisani, Margherita Morisani, William Wade, Emily Wade, Jeremiah Wade, Hillary Siefert, Garrett Siefert, Madeline McWhorter, Joseph McWhorter, Maggie Stewart, Emma Plunkett, and Jacob Plunkett. She is also survived by her brother Dean (Carolyn) Koch, beloved nieces and nephews and numerous other relatives. 

 The family would like to thank her caregivers Yolanda (both of them), Lisa, Tan, and Whitney from Grace Mercy and Love Sitter Services; the nurses and staff at Eastern Shore Rehabilitation and Health Center; and Community Hospice. 

Funeral services will be held from the chapel of Wolfe-Bayview Funeral Home's Daphne Chapel, on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, at 11:00 am.  The family will receive friends from 10:00 am until the service time. 

Interment will follow in the Belforest Communnity Cemetery.

 In lieu of flowers, donations in Ruth’s memory may be made to
the Belforest Christian Church, 25270 County Rd 54 W, Daphne, AL 36526, 
Family Promise of Baldwin County, familypromisebaldwinal.org , 
or the Alabama Sheriffs Boys Ranch 21870 Co Rd 32, Summerdale, AL 36580 https://www.alabamasheriffsyouthranches.org/contributions . 

ARRANGEMENTS BY
WOLFE-BAYVIEW
FUNERAL HOMES
& CREMATORY, INC.
251-625-2900