Passing into the arms of her Savior, Ruth Bonifield Canon died from complications of Dementia on March 15, at the age of 82.
Ruth, or Ruthie as she was known to those close to her, was born in Ada, Oklahoma on May 27, 1938. Her family moved to Abilene, Texas where she excelled in school, choir and developed her lifelong love of the violin.
Abilene was where she also met her future husband, Val Howell Canon. They married in 1958 and eventually settled in the Lake Highlands area of Dallas, raising four children, Alison, Baron, Claire and Spencer.
Ruthie could often be found reading her Bible, preparing for her next Bible study class. She used her exceptional talent for music by singing in church choirs throughout her life, even joining the Dallas Civic Chorus for a period in the 1960’s. In her later years, she joined the First Baptist Church of Dallas Orchestra, playing the violin every Sunday during the main service. This led to an invitation from the Wichita Falls Symphony Orchestra to join their violin section.
She was incredibly mission oriented. If she believed strongly in an idea, person or cause, then Ruthie was its strongest supporter. In the 1980s, it became apparent to her that parents who wanted the freedom to educate their children at home needed a voice. She took up the cause, creating a group of idea makers called TEACH (Texans For Educating A Child at Home). From this came a group of seminars entitled 20th Century Pioneers for Early Childhood Educators. Ruthie’s friends and family would remember her as dedicated, brilliant, passionate, driven, curious, generous and loyal.
Ruthie was preceded in death by her parents, Lease and Lorita Bonifield, her son, Baron Canon and her brother-in-law, Don Spencer. She is survived by her loving husband, Val, two sisters, Rita Spencer and Carolyn Sandner, her daughters, Alison McCally and Claire Gentzel of McKinney, son Spencer Canon of Bishop, California, daughter-in-law Jeanne Canon, sons-in-law Todd McCally and Todd Gentzel, seven grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great nephews.
A small family memorial will be held at Teresa’s House in Craig Ranch 6521 Collin McKinney Parkway, McKinney, TX 75070 on Monday, Mar 22, 2021. The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made to Teresa’s House. info@teresashouse.com