Ruth Louise Ailey passed away July 20, 2011 at Country Life Assisted Living in Montana City, MT where she had been a resident since February 2009.
She was born in 1913 in McLoud, Oklahoma to Perry and Vale Cordelia Hilleary. She was one of ten children, who have all preceded her in death, as well as her parents.
She moved to California from Oklahoma during the depression. While there, she worked in the Lindsey Olive Plant and did other jobs, including picking fruit and cotton. In 1939, she moved to Sixteen, Montana to care for her sister’s children after she passed away. She later married their father as her own. Her husband, Jess, worked for the Milwaukee Railroad. They moved to Ringling, Montana a few years later and lived there for many years. While there, she operated the Ringling Café, and would cook for Bob Shiplett’s threshing crew and the railroad men as well. She was also postmistress for several years. She and Jess moved to Porterville, California in 1964, after he retired from the railroad.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Jess R. Ailey; three daughters, Dorothy Barnes Hickerson of Boise, Idaho, Jessica Ness of Whitehall, Montana, and Wilma Doig of Blackfoot, Idaho; one son, Perry Ailey of Miles City, Montana; one granddaughter, Gail Doig; one godson, Ray Doig; and one great-goddaughter, Mandy Ness.
She is survived by a daughter, Mary (Bob) Arnold formally of Clancy, MT, now residing in Porterville, California; 16 grandchildren, Bonnie (Shelton “Shrub”) Staples of Montana City, MT, James Wildish of McCleary, WA, John Dusty (Kathy) Wildish of Clancy, MT, Marianne Wildish of McCleary, WA, Rodney Ailey of Miles City, MT, Terri Ailey of Miles City, MT, Robert (Jan) Doig of Afton, WY, Mark (Debbie) Doig of Blackfoot, ID, James (Kim) Doig of Blackfoot, ID, Linda (Gary) Kimball of Mackey, ID, Darlene Hollett of Boise, ID, Sheila (Laurel) Orr of Blackfoot, ID, Mary Lynn Barnes of Salt Lake City, UT, Harold (Linda) Barnes of Napa, ID, Dan (Barbra) Ness and Tom (Tanya) Ness of Whitehall, MT; as well as many great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.
She has always enjoyed visiting with people and has made many friends over the years. She will be missed by all of them as well as her family.
Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.aswfuneralhome.com.
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JAMES TED WILDISH says