Ruth Alice Salisbury Bafford passed away on October 20, 2011, just five days after celebrating her 96th birthday. She was born on October 15, 1915 on the family farm one mile south of Blue Mound to Russell Hoxey Salisbury and Naomi Leana (Dunkel) Salisbury.
She was a farm girl who drove a tractor and gardened. She attended Pleasant View Grade School and graduated from Blue Mound High School in 1933. She worked at Scotty's Market in Blue Mound. On March 22, 1947, she married Charles O. Bafford in Rock Island, IL. Ruth was an excellent cook. She was known for her cream pies with coconut cream and chocolate as her specialties. She volunteered for years at Decatur Memorial Hospital in the Coffee Shop and the Thrift Shop. She was a member of the O.E.S. for over 50 years. Ruth and Charles were snowbirds in Mesa, AZ for 18 years.
Ruth loved to sew and made many clothes for herself, her kids and her grandkids. She especially liked to remodel clothes. She bought her first pair of slacks in 1970 to become part of the modern trend. She learned to knit at Linn and Scruggs department store in Decatur during the 1940s and has taught many how to knit. Her first project was a skirt. She has made many stocking caps, sweaters, scarves, slippers, mittens, and dish clothes. She also crocheted afghans and pillows and made quilts for each of her kids. She usually gave away her projects.
Ruth faithfully kept a diary for over 50 years. She liked to remember. Until her stroke in January, 2011, she remembered her family and friends with cards for birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, and almost any special day. Her favorite card was "thinking of you."
Ruth was survived by her sister-in-law: Betty Ruth Bafford of Blue Mound, IL; daughter: Lana Rae (Tom) Averett of Riverton, UT; sons: Russell Dean (Rebecca) Bafford of Midvale, UT, Larry Bafford and special friend Michele Peters of Decatur, IL; eight grandchildren: Allison (Steven) Westenskow, Russell (Michelle) Bafford, Brian (Amy) Bafford, Aaron Bafford, Faith (Santiago) Falla, Jessie Bafford, Audrey Bafford and Gwen Bafford; six great grandchildren: Noel Bafford, Lance Bafford, Grace Bafford, Isaac Bafford, Alexis Westenskow and Micah Westenskow.
She was preceded in death by her husband: Charles Bafford, brother: Carl Salisbury and sister: Dorothy Mae Salisbury.
A service to celebrate Ruth's life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday (Oct. 29, 2011) at the United Methodist Church of Blue Mound. Visitation will be from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Friday (Oct. 28, 2011) at Dawson & Wikoff Funeral Home, Blue Mound and one hour prior to services at the church on Saturday. Burial will be in Hall Cemetery, Blue Mound. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the United Methodist Church of Blue Mound.
