Ruth M. Brown

Ruth M. Walton Brown of Lakewood, California, passed away peacefully on June 1, 2026, at the remarkable age of 101. She was born July 17, 1924 in her parent's home in Thayne, Wayoming, the second child born to Alfred and Lena Moser Walton, preceded in birth by her older sister, Sybil, and later joined by her younger brother, Jay. Ruth was raised in Thayne where she attended elementary, junior high and high school.

Ruth married Dean Skinner on August 31, 1940. They had one child, a daughter, Joyce, who was born in 1942. The marriage later ended in divorce. Ruth then married Allen Keith Brown on January 1, 1947, in Salt Lake City, Utah. Their marriage was solemnized in the Mesa Arizona Temple in April 1954. Together they had two sons: Allen, born in 1950, and Brian, born in 1955. In 1971, Keith legally adopted Joyce, completing their family.

In 1950, seeking better employment opportunities, Ruth and Keith moved to California "for the winter". What was intended to be a temporary stay became a lifelong home, and they happily remained there for the remainder of their lives.

Ruth was a devoted mother to her three children and took great pride in maintaining a beautiful, spotless home. Despite the demands of raising a family, she completed her high school education and later, as the children grew older, she worked as a doctor's assistant. Never one to stop learning or pursuing new opportunites, she earned her real estate license in 1981 and became a member of the Red Carpet Real Estate team.

Ruth was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1932. She loved serving in teh Church and faithfully fulfilled many callings throughout her life. Her service included Primary Historian, Guide Patrol Leader, Sunday School Teacher, Young Women Counselor and Laurel Leader, Relief Society Education Counselor, Teacher and President, as well as Stake Young Women President. Through these and many other opportunities to serve, she touched the lives of countless individuals with her faith, dedication, and love.

Together, Ruth and Keith served three full-time missions for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: the Florida Tallahassee Mission from 1987 to 1988, the New York Rochester Mission from 1990 to 1991, and the London England Temple Mission from 1999 to 2001. Ruth loved working in the temple and served as a temple worker in the Los Angeles Temple and London England Temple for a total of 27 years of devoted service.

Ruth is survived by her nine grandchildren: Vicki Richardson of Owasso, OK; Scott Mitchell of Mission Viejo, CA; Janae (John) Bradaric of Cypress, CA; Amy (Aaron) Anvaripour of Lomita, CA; Jeff Brown of Cypress, CA; Ryan (Madison) Brown of Anaheim, CA; Jenilyn (Greg) Smith of Aliso Viejo, CA; Michael Brown of Farmington, UT; Carolyn (Austin) Knowles of Hyrum, UT.

In addition, Ruth is survived by 19 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchldren.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Sybil; her brother, Jay; her husband, Keith and her grandson, Timmy.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, Juen 20th, at 11:00 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 6500 E. Atherton St., Long Beach, CA. A viewing will precede the funeral from 10:00 to 10:45.

A Memorial service will also be held on Saturday, June 27, at 11 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 276 Dana Street, Thayne, Wyoming. A viewing will preced the service from 10:00 to 10:45. Interment will follow at the Thayne Cemetery.