Born May 1, 1907 in Chicago, Illinois, Ruth was an active volunteer for the American Red Cross during World War II. From 1956 to 1968, Ruth and her husband, Colonel John Douglas Grannis (US Army, retired) owned and operated the Islamorada Yacht Basin, Islamorada, Florida.

Ruth always thought of the well being of others and in her later years she volunteered for the following organizations:

Northern Westchester Hospital, Mt. Kisco, NY

Putnam Community Hospital, Carmel, New York

Hospice of Martin County Florida

Stuart, Florida Chamber of Commerce

Franklin, North Carolina Chamber of Commerce

Mountain Area Hospice, Franklin, NC

Angel Medical Center, Franklin, NC

Ruth fell in love with the people and the town of Franklin when she first arrived in 1961. She made it her full time home in 1988 until her death on September 5, 2002.

Ruth had two children, Roger N. Ruvell, and daughter Dianne R. Verplaetse and three grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, a niece and a nephew. Ruth was survived by her companion of more than 40 years, Nancy E. Spagnoli.