It is with great sadness that the family of Martha "Ruth" (Tidwell) Trimmer announces her passing from this earth to go home to be with her Lord on Nov. 2, 2024, at home in Denton.

Ruth was born to Robert (Bob) Tidwell and Martha Berry Tidwell on Oct. 21, 1927, in Justin, TX.  She attended school in Justin and moved to Ft. Worth after graduation to work.  She married Ward Walling on Oct. 11, 1947.  They resided in Ft. Worth until 1955 then moved to Beaumont.  Following her husband's death in 1962, she moved her family to Denton and remained in the North Texas area until her passing.

Ruth began a 40-year career in food service in 1962 as a cook at Woodrow Wilson Elementary in Denton.  In 1967, she became a supervisor of the snack bar at the TWU Student Center where she enjoyed 20 years of service.  In 1964, she became church hostess at Grace Temple Baptist Church in Denton, where she lovingly prepared weekly meals for 28 years.  She also catered many weddings and social events through the years.  She last worked preparing weekly lunches for the Noon Optimist Club in Denton for 13 years, finally retiring in 2002.  Ruth is fondly remembered for her love of cooking as she was always happiest feeding people in the community.

Ruth was preceded in death by her husband, parents, an infant sister Ona Faye Tidwell, and sisters Pauline Schluter and Jenna Mae Beene, brother Homer Tidwell, infant son Ronnie Walling, grandson Clint Fulton, and daughter-in-law Kathleen Walling.  She is survived by son Jim Walling and companion Pam Sweetin of Pilot Point, daughter Dixie Fulton of Denton, and daughter Vicki Smith and husband Clay of Bedford; 4 granddaughters, Cheryl Walling, Christa Hamill (Chad), Caren Sanders (Doug), and Amanda Robertson (Heath); 6 great-grandsons, Michael Napier, Tyler Napier, Hunter Napier, Nicholas Curtis, Cole Hamill, Cash Hamill; 2  great-granddaughters, Bailey Bufkin and Grace McCann; step grandchildren, Todd LoSasso and Angela Telck; and step great-granddaughters Kaylee Green and Taylor Robertson.

A Memorial Service and Celebration of Life honoring Ruth will be held at Mulkey-Bowles-Montgomery Funeral Home in Denton at 10:30 am on Saturday, Nov. 16.  In lieu of flowers, Ruth requested donations to Justin (Texas) Cemetery Association or to a local food bank.