Ruth Shepherd was born to Charles Huston Shepherd (March 30, 1877, Baker, Oregon - January 25, 1967 Hailey, Idaho) and Minnie Estella Eby ( January 8, 1881. Toledo, Ohio - February 16, 1975, Haily, Idaho) at St. Alphonsus Hospital, Boise, Idaho.
Ruth graduated from Boise High School in 1942 and worked as a linotype operator, typically a job performed by men, for the Haily Times. In 1943, at the age of 19, she moved to San Bernardino, California where the disparity of pay between men and women was less. She worked at the San Bernardino Sun and in going so, she helped fill a need during the WWII effort. She was always very proud of her career.
She married James Fielder Carter June 3, 1945 in San Bernardino , California. Together they designed and built their dream home where they lived for 69 years and raised their family of two daughters. Ruth continued to work as a linotype operator for the Redlands Facts, The Rialoto Record and the Grey Publishing Company. She worked part time for 25 years at Smith Typesetting and was very active in the lives of her two daughters. She was honorary Life Member of the Parent Teacher Association and a Girl Scout Leader for two troops. Ruth was a member and Publicity Chairwoman for the San Bernardino Branch of the American Field Service, and Assistant Youth Director the the Presbyterian Church Junior High Group.
As a child she was a member of the Nazarene Church and as an adult she became a member of the first Presbyterian Church of San Bernardino. After her retirement as a linotype operator she became a successful Avon representative earning numerous Avon Presidential Awards.
Ruth was an expert seamstress and made her daughter's school clothes including their wedding dresses. Over the years she saved pieces of material from the dresses she made and created a quilt, which she presented at their weddings. In addition to sewing, Ruth enjoyed international traveling as well as domestic travel in her Lazy Daze RV. She made many lifelong friends with her Lazy Daze group.
Ruth believed all things are possible and, lovingly, taught the principals of kindness and generosity to her family. She found joy in life exploring nature and interacting with all forms of creation which made for many happy, fulfilling memories. Horses and dogs were precious to her and that love has been passed down to her daughters. Ruth's love of family was her number one priority in life and is her legacy.
She is survived by her husband James, her daughters Sharolyn Ruth Carter Naftel born 1947 and Janise Ann Carter Burford 1951, her son-in-laws, John Nafel and Waldo Burford, two granddaughters, Arianne Burford and Lariss Burford Neumann and two great granddaughters Zhana Neumann and Elina neumann.

PEACE AND LOVE

In lieu of flowers, the family has established the Ruth Shepherd Carter Memorial Fund in the Boise Public Schools Foundation. The funds will provide scholarships to students at Boise High School. Visit www.boiseschoolsfoundation.com to give online, or checks can be mailed to the Boise Public Schools Foundation, 8169 W. Victory Road, Boise, ID 83709